Our flagship undergraduate degree program is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, allowing graduates to sit for the comprehensive Certified Financial Planner TM examination to earn the CFP ® designation. Coursework includes principles of personal financial planning, investments, insurance, real estate, retirement planning, estate planning, and taxation; complemented by courses that develop an understanding of the economic and social contexts within which clients make financial decisions. Graduates excel in providing client–centered financial management advice. CFP ® registered degree programs also exist as a minor in PFP, while majoring in Agricultural Economics or Finance.
Our most popular degree option prepares students to counsel individuals and families in a wide range of financial service occupations. This degree gives graduates a broad understanding of household financial management, through greater flexibility in course selection. Many students choose to complement this degree with additional coursework in economics, finance, business, marketing, social work, or other related programs.
Is an optional course of study within the Consumer and Family Economics major between the Departments of Personal Financial Planning and Textile and Apparel Management designed for students with an interest in electronic commerce, merchandising, and personal finance retailing.
Join our Financial Planning Student Association (FPSA), to meet leaders in the financial planning profession, build your professional network, and take field trips to financial service businesses and professional meetings.
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.
Graduate Degree Programs
Individuals and families today bear an ever-growing responsibility for achieving and sustaining economic stability across the lifespan. Never has there been a greater need for well-trained professionals who can help individuals and families make informed and effective decisions and who can evaluate and recommend the public policies that influence the economic opportunity and future of individuals and families.
To prepare these professionals, graduate coursework in Consumer and Family Economics at the University of Missouri-Columbia analyzes household and consumer economic conditions and behavior, economic and social policy and the interrelationships among these elements. Custom designed programs develop professional competencies and interests. We offer several options. Some options are registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, allowing students to sit for the national Certified Financial Planner™ exam as a step toward earning the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation.
Certificate in Consumer and Family Economics with an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning:a non-degree, post-baccalaureate CFP ® Board registered program
Professional practice focused M.S. (CFP® Board registered programs):
The professional M.S. focuses on understanding issues and solving practical problems in the financial services industry. An industry-relevant capstone research project rather than a thesis is completed.
Students accepted to the MU School of Law may dually register in the CFP ® Board registered professional practice M.S. in Consumer and Family Economics with an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning to earn a joint J.D./M.S. Students in this program complete a capstone project under the guidance of faculty from the School of Law and Personal Financial Planning.
CFP ® Board registered distance learning opportunities - M.S. Personal Financial Planning degree program and Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program available through Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance:
The Distance Family Financial Planning is an interinstitutional online program. You select a home institution (Mizzou) which grants your degree or certificate. Your courses are delivered by several consortium member universities (Iowa State, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and the University of Nebraska). The courses will, however, be listed on your transcript as MU courses. The degree program is 42 credits and has no thesis component, but requires a
practicum and capstone course that focuses on case studies. The final oral exam
is based on the case study you complete. The certificate program is 18 credits. Course registration is completed through MU Direct. Questions about the distance programs can be directed to Deanna Sharpe, Ph.D., CFP ® program director.
The thesis track M.S. prepares students for college teaching, consumer research positions, social service agencies, extension or other adult education programs, financial services institutions, consumer journalism and other positions in business, the public sector and not-for-profit institutions. Studies culminate in a research-based thesis that may have either a theoretical or applied focus.
The Ph.D. program qualifies students for teaching and research at the university level and for other research and administrative positions. It includes extensive study in the theory and practice of economics, finance, and statistics to prepare the graduate for a successful career in academics or a research institute. Students completing the non-degree financial planning certificate as a part of their Ph.D. program may also sit for the rigorous CFP ® Certification Examination.
Students have opportunity to work closely with award winning department faculty who are widely recognized professionals in various aspects of family and consumer economic theory as it relates to financial management. Faculty research interests cover a broad spectrum of economic and financial issues, including, but not limited to, consumer behavior and expenditure patterns, funding higher education, retirement and health care financing, labor supply and household production, economic policy analysis, consumption discount rates, consumer credit use, low-income financial literacy, food consumption, and poverty.
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.
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