Master's Program (Online):
Program Requirements

The Personal Financial Planning master’s degree program consists of 42 credit hours.

• 9 credit hours in core courses (Family Systems, Family Economics, and Financial Counseling)
• 21 credit hours in financial planning (Fundamentals of Financial Planning, Insurance, Investment, Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits, Estate Planning, Housing/Real Estate, and Personal Income Taxation)
• 12 credit hours in financial planning applied scholarly courses (Professional Practices, Practicum, and Case Studies)
• 42 total credit hours

Students who are employed full time typically complete the program in three years. Students who participate in full-time study can shorten the time from matriculation to degree completion.

The program does not require a thesis; however, you will be required to complete a final exam. The final exam will be developed and administered by your major advisor, whom you choose upon entering the program.

In addition, all students must complete two 3-hour practicum experiences (FSHS 675 Field Study in Family Economics). Students must present a proposal to their major advisor for approval prior to enrollment. K-State wants this experience to be beneficial to the student, rather than just a requirement to fulfill. The practicum can be an internship, but for those already in the field it can also be fulfilled with research and writing, developing new products to be used in their business, creating and presenting educational programs to adults or youth, or volunteering your services in the area of counseling or tax preparation, to name a few examples.

Textbooks and supplemental materials are required for each course. These materials are the responsibility of the student and cost approximately $75 to $125 per course.

Courses

Courses are listed by semester offered. Each course is taught once per year. Course schedule is subject to change.

Fall

Family Systems, 3 credits [FSHS 850]

Research and theory relative to family functioning throughout the life cycle will be studied, especially financial decision making during crisis and conflict. Emphasis will be given to factors that shape family values, attitudes, and behaviors from a multi-cultural perspective. New and emerging issues critical to family functioning will be addressed. [Taught alternately by Sanders, North Dakota State University, and Fournier, Oklahoma State University]

Fundamentals of Financial Planning, 3 credits [FSHS 624]

Issues and concepts related to the overall financial planning process, and establishing client-planner relationships. Services provided, documentation required and client/planner responsibilities are explored. Competencies related to gathering of client data, determining goals and expectations, and assessing the client's financial status by analyzing and evaluating data are developed. Emerging issues and the role of ethics in financial planning are an integral part of the course. [Joyce Cantrell, Kansas State University]

Investing for the Family's Future, 3 credits [FSHS 762]

An in-depth study of investment options for families, this course will include common stocks, fixed income securities, convertible securities, and related choices. Relationship between investment options and employee/employer benefit plan choices will be studied. Current and emerging issues, and ethics will be an integral part of the course. [Hatcher, Iowa State University]

Personal Income Taxation, 3 credits [FSHS 772]

In-depth information of income tax practices and procedures including tax regulations, tax return preparation, the tax audit process, the appeals process, preparation for an administrative or judicial forum, and ethical considerations of taxation. New and emerging issues related to taxation will be covered. Family / individual case studies provide practice in applying and analyzing tax information and recommending appropriate tax strategies. [G. Haynes, Montana State University]

Practicum, 3 credits – 6 credits, total, required [FSHS 675 Field Study in Family Economics]

Practicum requirements are worked out on an individual basis between the student and his/her major professor. Possibilities include an internship, research/ writing a paper for publication, or program/project development approved by the degree granting institution. [Instructor Approval/ Field Study in Family Economics]

Financial Planning – Case Studies, 3 credits [FSHS 836]

All courses in the program must be completed as a prerequisite for enrolling in this course. Integration of both theoretical and applied concepts, including research findings from two comprehensive cases illustrating a students' understanding of a wide range of financial planning concepts and techniques as well as an awareness of ethical issues. A panel of faculty and Certified Financial Planners will review the two case studies. [Grable, Kansas State University]

Spring

Financial Counseling, 3 credits [FSHS 756]

Theory and research regarding the interactive process between the clients and the practitioner, including communication techniques, motivation and esteem building, the counseling environment, ethics and methods of data intake, verification and analysis. Other topics include legal issues, compensation, uses of technology to identify resources, information management, and current or emerging issues. [Fitzgerald, North Dakota State University]

Estate Planning for Families, 3 credits [FSHS 764]

Fundamentals of the estate planning process, including estate settlement, estate and gift taxes, property ownership and transfer, and powers of appointment will be studied. Tools and techniques used in implementing an effective estate plan, ethical considerations in providing estate planning services, and new and emerging issues in the field will be explored. Case studies will provide experience in developing estate plans suitable for varied family forms. [D. Haynes, Montana State University]

Insurance Planning for Families, 3 credits [FSHS 766]

An in-depth study of risk management concepts, tools, and strategies for individuals and families, including: life insurance; property and casualty insurance; liability insurance; accident, disability, health, and long-term care insurance; and government-subsidized programs. Current and emerging issues, as well as ethical consideration, relative to risk management will be discussed. Case studies will provide experience in selecting insurance products suitable for individuals and families. [Cramer, University of Nebraska]

Professional Practices in Financial Planning, 3 credits [FSHS 835]

Challenges of managing financial planning practices including, but not limited to: business valuation, personnel, marketing, client services, ethics and technological applications. Relying both on a theoretical as well as an applied approach, students will analyze case studies that provide relevant, practical exposure to practice management issues, with a strong emphasis on current research findings. [Grable, Kansas State University]

Practicum, 3 credits – 6 credits required [FSHS 675]

Summer

Family Economics, 3 credits [FSHS 709]

Major issues relative to the economics of families including household production, and human capital development and the economics of crises, public policy and family life cycle spending, saving and borrowing. A theoretical and research perspective will be used to illuminate the concepts in the course. New and emerging issues and the role of ethics in the field of family economics will be emphasized throughout the course. [Enevoldsen, South Dakota State University]

Housing/Real Estate, 3 credits [FSHS 758]

An overview of the role of housing and real estate in the financial planning process from a theoretical perspective. Taxation, legal aspects, mortgages, and financial calculations related to home ownership and real estate investments are included. New and emerging issues in the context of housing and real estate will be emphasized. The role of ethics in financial planning with housing and real estate will also be included. [Team taught by Crull, Iowa State University and Muske, Oklahoma State University]

Families, Employment Benefits, and Retirement Planning, 3 credits [FSHS 760]

Micro and macro considerations in retirement planning for individuals and families will be covered. Included is a survey of various types of retirement plans, ethical consideration in providing retirement planning services, assessing and forecasting financial needs in retirement, integration of retirement plans with government benefits, and current research and theory in the field. Case studies will provide experience in retirement planning needs analysis. [Cramer, University of Nebraska]

Practicum, 3 credits – 6 credits required [FSHS 675]

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP (with flame logo)®, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements. K-State does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame logo)® certification marks. CFP® Certification is granted only by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience and examination requirements.