BS in Personal Financial Planning
Degree Program Description
The BS in Personal Financial Planning is comprised of two track options: Financial Advising and Financial Management Services.
Major Program Requirements
Students who pursue the BS in Personal Financial Planning have two track options: Financial Management Services or Financial Advising.
Financial Management Services Track:
This program is comprised of five areas: departmental core requirements, supporting coursework, professional foundation, communication, and professional specialization courses. Students in the Financial Management Services track must earn at least a grade of C (2.0) or better in FINPLN 2183 and FINPLN 3283. A grade in the D range is allowed in only one course in the program (unless otherwise noted).
| Departmental Core Requirements | 25 | |
| FINPLN 2083 | Financial Planning Careers 1 | 1 |
| FINPLN 2183 | Personal and Family Finance 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 3282 | Financial Counseling 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 3283 | Financial Planning: Computer Applications 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4187 | Tax Planning 2 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4188 | Community Agencies and Volunteerism 2 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4380W | Assessing the American Dream - Writing Intensive 2 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4382 | Financial Planning: Risk Management 2 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4383 | Financial Planning: Investment Management 2 | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 30 | |
| ECONOM 1014 | Principles of Microeconomics 1, 4 | 3 |
| or ABM 1041 | Applied Microeconomics | |
| ECONOM 1015 | Principles of Macroeconomics 1, 4 | 3 |
| or ABM 1042 | Applied Macroeconomics | |
| ECONOM 3229 | Money, Banking and Financial Markets 2,3 | 3 |
| ECONOM 4351 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| or ECONOM 4328 | Financial Economics | |
| MANGMT 3540 | Introduction to Business Law 2,3 | 3 |
| or ABM 3256 | Agribusiness and Biotechnology Law | |
| or ECONOM 3367 | Law and Economics | |
| MATH 1400 | Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I 2,3 | 3 |
| or MATH 1500 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| PSYCH 1000 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOCIOL 1000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ACCTCY 2036 | Accounting I 2,3 | 3 |
| or ACCTCY 2010 | Introduction to Accounting | |
| or ACCTCY 2026 | Accounting I | |
| STAT 2500 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics I 2,3 | 3 |
| or ABM 2225 | Statistical Analysis | |
| Professional Foundation | 9 | |
| ABM 1200 | Applied Computer Applications | 3 |
| One Course in any two of the following three areas: | 6 | |
| Ethics: | ||
| ABM 3241 | Ethical Issues in Agriculture | 3 |
| PHIL 1100 | The Difference Between Right and Wrong: An Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 2420 | Ethical Issues in Business | 3 |
| T_A_M 2600 | Moral and Ethical Issues in the Global Fashion Supply Chain | 3 |
| Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity: | ||
| BL_STU 1000 | Introduction to Black Studies | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2300 | Multicultural Study of Children and Families | 3 |
| H_D_FS 1600 | Foundations of Family Science | 3 |
| H_D_FS 1610 | Intimate Relationships and Marriage | 3 |
| SOCIOL 1010 | Social Problems | 3 |
| ANTHRO 2030 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| Pofessional Development: | ||
| AG_ED_LD 3010 | Leadership in Today's World | 3 |
| PUB_AF 1000 | Principles of Public Policy Administration | 3 |
| Communication | 3 | |
| COMMUN 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or COMMUN 3571 | Group Decision Making Processes | |
| or COMMUN 3575 | Business and Professional Communication | |
| or AGSC_COM 2220 | Verbal Communication in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources | |
| Professional Specialization Requirements | 18 | |
At least 9 hours must be at the 3000 level or higher. | ||
Contact your department advisor to focus your additional credits in a specific area. | ||
| 1 | Requires a grade of C (2.0) or higher. |
| 2 | Requires a grade of C- or higher. |
| 3 | One "D" range grade allowed. |
Financial Advising Track:
This program is comprised of five areas: departmental core requirements, supporting coursework, professional foundation, communication, and professional specialization courses. If students complete the requirements successfully, they will be eligible to earn a Minor in Economics. Students must apply and declare their intention to earn a Minor in Economics by contacting the advisor in the Department of Economics. Students in the Financial Advising track must earn a grade of B- (2.7) or better, in FINPLN 2183 and a grade of C (2.0) or better in FINPLN 3283. A grade in the D range is allowed in only one course in the program (unless otherwise noted).
| Departmental Core Requirements | 25 | |
| FINPLN 2083 | Financial Planning Careers 1 | 1 |
| FINPLN 2183 | Personal and Family Finance 2 | 3 |
| FINPLN 3282 | Financial Counseling 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 3283 | Financial Planning: Computer Applications 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4187 | Tax Planning 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4188 | Community Agencies and Volunteerism 3 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4380W | Assessing the American Dream - Writing Intensive 3 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4382 | Financial Planning: Risk Management 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4383 | Financial Planning: Investment Management 1 | 3 |
| Supporting Coursework | 33 | |
| ECONOM 1014 | Principles of Microeconomics 1 | 3 |
| ECONOM 1015 | Principles of Macroeconomics 1 | 3 |
| ECONOM 3229 | Money, Banking and Financial Markets 3,4 | 3 |
| ECONOM 4328 | Financial Economics | 3 |
| ECONOM 4351 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| MANGMT 3540 | Introduction to Business Law 3,4 | 3 |
| or ABM 3256 | Agribusiness and Biotechnology Law | |
| or ECONOM 3367 | Law and Economics | |
| MATH 1400 | Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I 3,4 | 3 |
| or MATH 1500 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| PSYCH 1000 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOCIOL 1000 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ACCTCY 2036 | Accounting I 3,4 | 3 |
| or ACCTCY 2026 | Accounting I | |
| STAT 2500 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics I 3,4 | 3 |
| or ABM 2225 | Statistical Analysis | |
| Professional Foundations | 9 | |
| ABM 1200 | Applied Computer Applications | 3 |
| One course in any two of the following areas: | 6 | |
| Ethics: | ||
| ABM 3241W | Ethical Issues in Agriculture - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| PHIL 1100 | The Difference Between Right and Wrong: An Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 2420 | Ethical Issues in Business | 3 |
| T_A_M 2600 | Moral and Ethical Issues in the Global Fashion Supply Chain | 3 |
| Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity: | ||
| BL_STU 1000 | Introduction to Black Studies | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2300 | Multicultural Study of Children and Families | 3 |
| H_D_FS 1600 | Foundations of Family Science | 3 |
| H_D_FS 1610 | Intimate Relationships and Marriage | 3 |
| SOCIOL 1010 | Social Problems | 3 |
| ANTHRO 2030 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| Professional Development: | ||
| AG_ED_LD 3010 | Leadership in Today's World | 3 |
| PUB_AF 1000 | Principles of Public Policy Administration | 3 |
| Communication | 3 | |
| COMMUN 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or COMMUN 3571 | Group Decision Making Processes | |
| or COMMUN 3575 | Business and Professional Communication | |
| or AGSC_COM 2220 | Verbal Communication in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources | |
| Professional Specialization Requirements | 18 | |
| ACCTCY 2037 | Accounting II 3,4 | 3 |
| or ACCTCY 2027 | Accounting II | |
| STAT 3500 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics II 3,4 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4386 | Financial Planning: Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4393 | Financial Planning: Estate and Gift Planning 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4389 | Financial Planning: Capstone 1 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4993 | Internship in Personal Financial Planning 3,4 | 3 |
| 1 | Requires a grade of C (2.0) or higher |
| 2 | Requires a grade of B- (2.7) or higher |
| 3 | Requires a grade of C- or higher |
| 4 | One "D" range grade allowed |
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available. A student must take a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate.
Financial Management Services Track:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| American History or Government | 3 | ECONOM 1015 or ABM 1042 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ENGLSH 1000 | 3 |
| MATH 1100 | 3 | FINPLN 2183 | 3 |
| PSYCH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1400 | 3 |
| Science W/Lab | 3 | SOCIOL 1000 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECONOM 1014 or ABM 1041 | 3 | Communications | 3 |
| FINPLN 2083 | 1 | ECONOM 3229 | 3 |
| FINPLN 3283 | 3 | FINPLN 3282 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ACCTCY 2010 or 2036 | 3 |
| STAT 2500 | 3 | Professional Elective | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FINPLN 4187 | 3 | FINPLN 4188 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4382 | 3 | General Elective | 6 |
| FINPLN 4383 | 3 | Professional Specialization Elective | 6 |
| General Elective (WI Recommended) | 3-4 | ||
| Professional Elective | 3 | ||
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FINPLN 4380W | 3 | FINPLN 4387 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Electives | 3-6 |
| MANGMT 3540 | 3 | Professional Specialization Electives | 3 |
| Professional Specialization Elective | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12-15 | ||
| Total Credits: 118-122 | |||
Financial Advising Track:
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| American History or Government | 3 | ECONOM 1015 or ABM 1042 | 3 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | ||
| MATH 1100 | 3 | FINPLN 2183 | 3 | ||
| PSYCH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1400 | 3 | ||
| Science W/Lab | 3 | SOCIOL 1000 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| ECONOM 1014 or ABM 1041 | 3 | ACCTCY 2036 | 3 | ||
| FINPLN 2083 | 1 | Communications | 3 | ||
| FINPLN 3283 | 3 | ECONOM 3229 | 3 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | FINPLN 3282 | 3 | ||
| STAT 2500 | 3 | STAT 3500 | 3 | ||
| Humanities | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 15 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| ACCTCY 2037 | 3 | FINPLN 4188 | 3 | FINPLN 4993 | 3 |
| FINPLN 4187 | 3 | FINPLN 4386 | 3 | ||
| FINPLN 4382 | 3 | FINPLN 4393 | 3 | ||
| FINPLN 4383 | 3 | General Elective | 6 | ||
| General Elective (WI Recommended) | 3-4 | ||||
| 15-16 | 15 | 3 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FINPLN 4380W | 3 | FINPLN 4387 | 3 | ||
| MANGMT 3540 | 3 | FINPLN 4389 | 3 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | General Electives | 3-6 | ||
| Humanities | 3 | Humanities | 3 | ||
| 12 | 12-15 | ||||
| Total Credits: 118-122 | |||||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.