Financial Planning and Counseling

TBD

The program is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist clients in achieving their financial goals, managing their finances, and making informed financial decisions in the complex financial marketplace. Upon completion of a financial planning counseling MS degree, traditional students are prepared to pursue careers as financial planners, investment advisors, wealth managers, financial counselors, financial therapists, or other roles within the financial services industry. The program will also provide valuable opportunities for non-traditional students, including those already working in the financial industry, to enhance their skills and knowledge, thereby facilitating career advancement. Graduates are also equipped to pursue Certified Financial Planner(TM) and Accredited Financial Counselor® certifications and a Certified Financial Therapist designation (CFT-ITM).

Applicants undergo a comprehensive evaluation process that considers both Graduate School and departmental requirements, taking into account the available pool of candidates. The Graduate School minimum requirements include:

• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, calculated from all undergraduate coursework or from the last two years of undergraduate study;

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from a fully accredited college or university;

• Approval from the faculty of the FCS department; and

• Approval from the Graduate School.

International students must adhere to additional requirements, and detailed information can be found on the university's official Admissions website at https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/.

Admissions decisions are based on a thorough assessment of all materials submitted by applicants, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation process.

To be admitted to the program, students must demonstrate competencies related to foundational knowledge and relevant skills in financial planning and counseling. Applicants can demonstrate competencies through the following methods:

1) achieving a grade of B or higher in quantitative reasoning courses (e.g., FCS 3450, FCS 3500, FINAN 1200), or

2) prior experience in financial planning, financial counseling, or related fields.

These measures will ensure that all admitted students have a solid foundation to build on within the master’s program.