Online Financial Planning

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Online Financial Planning Degree

The Financial Planning major is an excellent program for students who are interested in working with individuals or corporate clients in helping them solve their financial goals, whether it is retirement planning, estate planning, etc. Given today’s sophisticated nature of financial products, ever-evolving tax rules, and complicated financial needs, effective financial planning is of utmost importance. By training students in identifying clients’ financial needs, assessing their risk tolerance, and offering appropriate recommendations to meet their needs, this program opens many rewarding career opportunities for the graduates, including financial planner, financial advisor, etc. The robust curriculum also ensures that students can pursue higher studies in many areas of business including financial planning.

The Financial Planning Major is officially registered with the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Board of Standards.

Enrolling now! Classes start in August and January.

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Quick Facts

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Major: Financial Planning

Credit Hours to graduate: 122

Optional: Choose a Minor

 

View General Education Courses

What Can You Do With an Online Financial Planning Degree?

What Can You Do with an Online Financial Planning Degree?
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Financial Planning program gain knowledge and experience sought in these career titles:

Program Objectives

Graduates of the Financial Planning major successfully demonstrate the ability to:

  1. Model the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct in the role of a fiduciary.
  2. Apply the functions, purpose and general structure of the financial institutions, markets, and regulators as they relate to financial planning. 
  3. Discuss risk management and insurance with the client according to their comfort with risk, aversion to loss, and personal goals. 
  4. Evaluate a client’s retirement needs and goals and create a plan that includes tax-efficient income distributions, eldercare considerations, and social services. 
  5. Assist a client with constructing an optimal portfolio according to risk tolerance, and tax implications to the client.
  6. Create estate plans for clients that include the appropriate type of trust, business succession plan, and accounts for special needs and circumstances. 
  7. Minimize a client’s federal income tax liability.
Career Outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for personal financial advisors was $102,140 in May 2024, more than double the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.

Employment of personal financial advisors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 24,100 job openings projected each year over the decade.

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Additionally, online learning allows you to:

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn more about our online Business Administration program and unlock your full career potential!

Why Choose Westminster Online


  • Accelerated, 7-week terms to finish faster
  • 24/7 online accessibility - attend class when and where it's convenient
  • Small class size with supportive faculty
  • Financial aid available
  • VA and military benefits accepted
  • Generous transfer credit policy

More about Westminster Online

Courses in the Major

Course Code Title
ACC 215 Principles of Financial Accounting
ACC 216 Principles of Managerial Accounting
ACC 307 Government and Non-Profit Accounting
ACC 308 Managerial and Cost Accounting
ACC 312 Intermediate Accounting I
ACC 319 Federal Income Tax I
ACC 320 Accounting Information Systems
ACC 418 Advanced Accounting
ACC 419 Federal Income Tax II
ACC 421 Auditing
BUS 210 Spreadsheet Application in Business
BUS 220 Fundamentals of Management
BUS 223 Business Law
BUS 250 Principles of Marketing
BUS 327 Operations Management
ECN 211 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECN 212 Principles of Microeconomics
ECN 325 Money, Banking, and Financial Markets
FIN 318 Corporate Financial Management
MAT 114 Elementary Statistics
MAT 122 Business Calculus
SPE 203 Interpersonal Communication

How to Apply - Step by Step guide


  1. Initiate the Application Process: Locate and click on the Apply button and follow the steps for first time users.
  2. Register Your Account: You’ll need to register an account. During registration, you’ll be asked for your name, email, and birth date.
  3. Start a New Application: Once your account is set up, start a new application. You’ll need to select Westminster Online Application from the dropdown menu.
  4. Fill Out the Application: In the application form, you’ll be asked to enter your personal information. You’ll also need to select the degree you’re applying for and your preferred start date.
  5. Provide Your Educational History: Next, you’ll need to provide information about your previous schools. This includes any high schools or colleges you’ve attended. You’ll also need to upload transcripts and any relevant test scores.
  6. Submit Your Application: After you’ve filled out all the necessary information, you can submit your application. Congratulations, you’ve applied!


Remember, each step is important, so take your time and make sure all the information you provide is accurate. Good luck with your application!

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Get the credit you deserve

Westminster College is committed to saving you time and money by awarding you credit for what you already know. Your prior learning experience can award you credits that let you complete your Westminster College online degree faster and with less debt.

We will evaluate college transfer credit, professional certifications, military courses and training, and examinations for possible credit toward your Westminster degree.

CREDIT PREDICTOR     TYPES OF TRANSFER CREDIT

FAQs

In addition to core business courses, such as financial accounting, corporate finance, marketing, and management, a financial planning major student takes courses covering specialized topics in financial planning, such as risk management, retirement planning, estate planning, and investments.
As a financial planning major student, you complete several core courses from business, accounting, and finance. Therefore, you have opportunities to pursue a dual major in business, accounting, and finance. A finance concentration can also be very rewarding.
Financial planning major students get exposure to the real world in several ways. For example, they extensively use Excel spreadsheet in solving practical problems related to cash flow, stock valuation, and portfolio analysis. The other important practical aspect is that students use a professional trading platform, such as Interactive Brokers, etc. to familiarize themselves with the actual trading activity. Finally, through the capstone course, students get opportunities to connect and apply all the core financial planning concepts.
Yes, Blue Blazers is the student-managed investment fund of actual money. It was established in 1996 with a current value exceeding $1,000,000 (as of January 13, 2020). The members of this fund conduct thorough research about potential investments and present their case through a stock pitch to all members and executives. A senior outside investment professional with great industry credentials and a finance faculty provide the necessary support to the students. You can access more information about this at this link: Blue Blazers Instagram.

The financial planning program at Westminster prepares you for professional careers, such as:

  • Personal financial advisors
  • Financial managers and analysts
  • Wealth management and private banking associates
  • Insurance underwriters and risk management specialists
  • Tax advisors and estate planning consultants