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Financial Planning and Counseling

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Program Description

The Financial Planning and Counseling major provides students the opportunity to study the principles of personal finance and the methods to achieve financial security and independence. The Financial Planning and Counseling major will prepare students for a career in the field of personal finance. Topics covered in this major help students gain an understanding of financial systems and include (but are not limited to) budgeting, investing, managing credit and debt, understanding financial products, taxes, insurance and estate planning. Students have the opportunity to take classes like “Financial Counseling”, “Modern Family” and “Basic Mediation”, which will improve the student’s knowledge regarding how to work well with people, understand the needs of varied clients, and how best to effectively advise them. Students have the option to choose from our list of electives or they can follow prescribed paths that can lead to financial counseling or financial planning certifications. Students wanting to become a Certified Financial Planner® should declare the FPC major with the Financial Planning Emphasis (more info below).
 
Emphasis in Financial Planning
With the growing demand for qualified personal financial planners, now is the time to complete the education required for the Certified Financial Planner® certification. This certification can open the door to more and better opportunities because recruiters and prospective employers recognize CFP® certification as the most desired designation in this growing field.
 
The Financial Planning Emphasis, within the Financial Planning and Counseling major, is registered with CFP® Board (Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards). Which means it meets specific criteria set by the CFP® Board for those who wish to fulfill the Education component for certification. Individuals who meet the Education requirement are eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination. Successful completion of the Education and Examination components completes two of the four core prerequisites (Education, Examination, Experience, Ethics) to obtain CFP® certification.
 

The Student Experience

Be sure to join the University of Utah student chapter for the Utah Financial Planning Association. Many student in the FPC major with volunteer and/or intern in the Financial Wellness center here on campus. Or will start working in entry level jobs in the industry and use those to earn internship credit.

Career Opportunities

After graduation students work in a variety of companies and nonprofit programs such as: Fidelity investments, TIAA, Goldman Sachs, boutique financial planning firms across the country, Utah saves, Volunteer Income Tax Assistants (VITA), NeighborWorks® Salt Lake banks and credit unions etc.
  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts demand will grow 15% through 2029 for personal financial advisors. They also note, "Those who obtain certification will likely have the best prospects."
  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay is $87,860 annually for personal financial advisors.
As a Certified Financial Planner®, your expertise and credibility can earn more. You will be more likely to reach the top salary of $167,780 annually in the peak of your career.
  • A new study shows that 9 out of 10 CFP® professionals are very satisfied with their career choice in financial planning.
  • An even higher 92% say they are very satisfied with their decision to pursue CFP® certification, and 91% would recommend CFP® certification to other financial professionals.

More Info

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Last Updated: 12/31/24