Spalding’s School of Business Launches a Graduate Concentration in Financial Planning

Beginning this fall, Spalding’s School of Business offers the new graduate concentration in Financial Planning within the MS in Business Communication (MSBC) program. Financial planners work one-on-one with their clients to develop strategies and plans for a secure future. This may include paying off debt, saving for retirement, meeting short-term financial targets and long-term wealth management.

The degree fulfills the educational requirement to sit for the CFP ^® Certification Examination that leads to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Students who successfully complete the concentration may also sit for the and the Accredited Financial Counselor^® exam, which is offered through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education®. The CFP ^® is the gold standard in personal financial planning and holding this certification allows attorneys to expand the services offered to their clients.

In the School of Business, we strive to ensure our offerings provide a strong return on investment for our students. As any educational endeavor requires a time and financial commitment, students should expect to emerge with skills that make them competitive in the job market. The Financial Planning concentration fulfills that expectation.

According to the US Labor Department, employment of personal financial advisors and planners is projected to grow 7% through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Significant job growth and security are anticipated for financial advisors partly due to the large percentage of our population that is aging. As large numbers of baby boomers continue to enter retirement, more are likely to seek planning advice from financial advisors. Also, longer lifespans equate to longer retirement periods, adding even more demand for financial planning services. The 2021 median annual wage for personal financial advisors was $94K.

Financial planning remains steady despite the economic downturn and COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, Americans report feeling more prepared working with a financial advisor during a recession and CFP professionals report a rise in prospective clients during COVID-19 (CFP Board). Being a financial planner helps many achieve a greater level of work-life balance, which employees are seeking more and more from their chosen profession.

The path to becoming a CFP ^® reaches many in the student population. It is a lucrative field for our traditionally aged students to pursue once they complete their undergraduate studies, but it is also appeals to the adult learner. Those already in the financial profession will add credibility to their consulting practice while those looking to make a career change can pursue this opportunity with few barriers to entry. The inclusivity of this degree is a point of pride for our school. It does not require an undergraduate degree in business or the GRE or GMAT.

Currently, Spalding is the only university in Kentucky to offer a Master’s degree with a concentration specifically for Financial Planning. Our Financial Planning concentration program combines the triple bottom line of business—people, planet, profit—with the key knowledge you’ll need to become a trusted financial advisor. You’ll be ready to help others make important financial decisions in their investments, savings, mortgages, insurance, estate planning, retirement and more. As a graduate of Spalding’s School of Business, you’ll be qualified and ready to accept a job offer for a number of positions, including Financial counselor, Financial planner, Risk analyst and Estate planner.

The concentration in Financial Planning focuses on academic and practical competencies relevant to financial advisors. Graduates of this concentration will be able to:

• Address challenges, best practices and industry standards relating to financial planning.
• Apply strong critical thinking, decision-making, presentation and writing skills build upon the synthesis of knowledge.
• Provide problem articulation, situation definition, strategic planning and implementation.
• Analyze and present data to clients.

 Degree Requirements

You’ll take five financial planning concentration courses (15 credit hours) in addition to the general requirements of the MSBC program, for a total of 30 credit hours.

Concentration Courses include:

• Tax I: Individual Taxation
• Behavioral Economics & Finance
• Risk Management & Estate Planning
• Investments & Retirement Planning
• Financial Plan Development

For more information please contact Dr. Robin Hinkle at rhinkle@spalding.edu.