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Personal Financial Planning, Bachelor of Science


Climb higher with a degree in Personal Financial Planning. The Bachelor of Science in Personal Financial Planning explores the process of developing comprehensive financial plans for individuals. Financial planners help individuals determine their financial goals and objectives and the best strategies for obtaining these goals. The Personal Financial Planning program provides you with knowledge, skills and technical expertise to begin your journey toward becoming a financial planner or financial counselor.

The Personal Financial Planning concentration is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards in Washington D. C. Upon completion of our CFP® board-certified program, students are allowed to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination. 

Student raises hand in class.

 

Personal Financial Planning Admission Requirements

We believe in providing and inclusive and accessible education, which is why we have no admission requirements.  All we ask is that students complete courses in the following areas:

  • Business Core courses:

MATH 123, ACCT 110, BDAN 250, ECON 206, ECON 202, FIN 330, MGT 210, MKT 220 and MGT 498 or ENT 496

  • Career Preparation courses: 

BA 170 or BA 175 or BA 220, MGT 261, FIN 399, FIN 499

  • Required Courses:

FIN 331, FIN 333, FIN 350, FIN 405, FIN 419, FIN 422, FIN 444, FIN 445, FIN 450, FIN 439 or FIN 449 and Choose 3-4 hours from the following:  BDAN 430, FIN 435, FIN 436, FIN 449, FIN 403, MGT 325

  • All Finance Majors must complete the following courses regardless of concentration:   

ACCT 220, ECON 307, FIN 161, FIN 332, FIN 389, FIN 433, FIN 437, FIN 438

  • All majors must earn a "C" or better in FIN 330 and FIN 332 and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all finance classes.

Personal Financial Planning Curriculum

The Personal Financial Planning concentration (reference number 664) requires 87-88 hours of professional and elective courses and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. No minor or second major is required or prohibited Finance majors must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in 300 and 400 level finance courses. In addition, finance majors must earn a "C" or better in both FIN 330 (Principles of Finance) and FIN 332 (Investment Theory).

When planning a program of study in this department, each student should be aware of University academic requirements and regulations for graduation. Specific attention should be given to (a) Academic programs and (b) Colonnade requirements.

A minimum of 120 earned hours are needed to receive a Bachelor's of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning.

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The personal financial planning career path is best suited for professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of others and who enjoy building relationships with others that can last a lifetime. Typically, new graduates work as junior advisors for 2-3 years. Entry-level pay is very good. After they gain experience, some personal financial advisors start their own firms, while others climb the ladder to partnership status in existing firms.

Approximately 100 students are currently enrolled in WKU's Personal Financial Planning Program. We are one of the founding undergraduate CFP Board-registered programs in the United States and have been graduating students eligible to sit for the Certified Financial PlannerTM  exam for over 35 years.   


Western Kentucky University does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, Certified Financial PlannerTM, and CFP® (with flame logo) certification marks. The CFP® certification is granted only by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards 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. 

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP®, Certified Financial PlannerTM, and CFP® (with flame logo) which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.


Scholarships & Financial Aid

Student Advising


  • 270-745-2018
  • finance@wku.edu
  • Department of Finance
    Grise Hall 334
    1906 College Heights Blvd. #21061
    Bowling Green, KY 42101-1059

 

Join us in our mission to provide state of the art education and training for the next generation of financial managers and financial advisors.

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AACSB Accredited

The Gordon Ford College of business is a top business school with dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting programs.


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 Last Modified 3/18/24