MSFP
Master of Science in Financial Planning
Foundational Track
Earn Your Master’s and Prepare to Pass the CFP® Exam the First Time
If you’re aspiring to work in the financial services profession, or just want to deepen your professional expertise, the MSFP Program’s Foundational Track gives you tools and insights indispensable to today’s financial planners. From specialized knowledge in key areas of high-demand planning to advanced behavioral finance knowledge to enhance your client service, you’ll set yourself up for success and be well-prepared to sit for your CFP® exam.
Meet CFP® Education Requirements
Complete the education required to sit for the CFP® exam while earning your master’s degree.
Expand Your Services
Gain core competencies in tax, retirement, insurance, investments, and estate planning — plus expertise in financial psychology.
Graduate with Confidence
Finish your degree in 15 months with a flexible, career-ready curriculum.
Explore the Advanced Planning Track.
Want to take a look inside this MSFP Program track? Watch this video preview to see what you can expect.
Program Details
*To complete the full program, students must complete ten courses.
Your Resume-Building Curriculum
You’ll complete 10 courses — nine online and one in-person residency. The online 8-week courses blend guided study with synchronous components including live weekly classes and weekly homework required. During the program, you’ll earn your Financial Psychology Certificate and complete seven additional courses designed to prepare you for your CFP® exam and a career in financial planning.
MSFP 536 Behavioral Finance
Provides an introduction to behavioral finance research, theory, and introduces important behavioral biases that can be applied in a behaviorally informed approach to client-advisor relationships.
MSFP 591 Financial Psychology
Explores the impact of psychological factors on financial decision-making and how to work with and through those factors for improved client-advisor relationships.
MSFP 592 Financial Therapy and Counseling
Introduces various therapeutic and counseling techniques that can be employed to support clients in making positive changes.
MSFP 551 Intro to Financial Planning
Introduces the broad scope of financial planning as it relates to personal goals and values as well as its role in the financial services industry.
MSFP 554 Income Taxation
Explores the strategies used by financial planners to help clients achieve greater tax efficiency.
MSFP 555 Fundamentals of Insurance Planning
Introduces the application of insurance planning and evaluates risk exposure, legal aspects of insurance, policy analysis for property and liability, and more.
MSFP 557 Retirement Planning
Covers retirement planning and employee benefits while addressing accumulation and distribution phases along with various types of retirement plans.
MSFP 558 Investment Planning
Provides insights into two major areas of investment planning: security analysis and portfolio management.
MSFP 559 Fundamentals of Estate Planning
Presents an overview of the application of estate planning methodologies and introduces estate planning tools and strategies to assist clients in developing, maintaining, and transferring wealth.
MSFP 650 Capstone Case Development (In-Person Residency)
Join your peers at The College’s headquarters for 2.5 days of valuable networking and hands-on learning where you’ll apply knowledge and skill sets acquired in personal financial planning techniques to a comprehensive case study.
Your Life's Work
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The American College of Financial Services provides equal opportunity to students and employees, regardless of race, color, and national or ethnic origin. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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