Personal Financial Planning Certificate

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Return to: 7210 Department of Risk Management and Insurance

We are no longer accepting applications for this certificate program at this time.

The Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning is intended for students who are CPAs or who possess an M.B.A., a master’s degree in a business-related field, or a J.D. and who desire graduate training in the field of personal financial planning. The program helps prepare students for a career in personal financial planning. Completion of the program will satisfy the education requirement for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP)™ examination.

The program provides a focus on individual and small business needs which complements the typical M.B.A./business master’s focus on larger business entities. Employers such as banks, brokerages, and other financial services firms will find this dual focus attractive as they seek employees capable of dealing effectively with both the demands of modern corporate life and the needs of the individuals and small businesses served by the financial services firms. The certificate provides attorneys with a focus on individual and small business financial needs which complements the legal services provided to those groups. Because of the close relationship between the financial planning and legal professions, the certificate also offers attorneys the opportunity to make a career change while using much of the knowledge and skill obtained through their legal training. For CPAs, the certificate provides the opportunity to expand the scope of services offered to clients.

Certificate Requirements

Regulations for the Certificate Program All Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning students will complete the “Business Communication Skills Requirement” explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to this certificate program. The time limit for completing the certificate program is two years. The certificate program requires completion of six graduate courses in residence at Georgia State University; in the event of waiver of one or more of the listed courses due to prior experience or education, substitute courses will be approved by the program director. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. In addition to possessing the M.B.A., another business master’s, or C.P.A. credential, applicants are required to meet the admissions requirements for the M.S. program with a major in personal financial planning with the following exceptions. Graduate Certificate in P.F.P. applicants who are CPAs or who possess an M.B.A. or other master’s degree in business from an AACSB-accredited institution or who possess a J.D. degree are exempt from the requirement of providing GRE or GMAT scores as part of the application process. Such qualifying applicants will be required to provide transcripts or other proof that they possess the necessary professional or academic credentials. If admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning program with valid GMAT or GRE scores, such applicants must submit valid GMAT or GRE scores before being eligible for admission to a regular master’s degree program, another graduate certificate program, or nondegree status in the Robinson College of Business.

Course Requirements

Foundation Course. The Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning requires completion of this foundation course or its equivalent: ACCT 4510 Introduction to Federal Income Taxation (3)

Awarding the Certificate. After completing the requirements for the certificate according to these regulations, the student must make a written request to the Department of Risk Management and Insurance to have the certificate awarded. The request, an official Georgia State University transcript, and a certificate fee of $40.00 (check made payable to Georgia State University) must be sent to the director of the certificate program in the Department of Risk Management and Insurance. The director then reviews the student’s record. If all requirements have been met, the certificate, signed by the dean and the department chair, will be issued to the student.

Required Courses (18 hours)

FI 8000 - Valuation of Financial Assets 3 Credit Hours
RMI 8200 - Life Insurance 3 Hours