Financial Planning (B.A., B.S.)
Great financial planners work in the overlap between dollars and people. They’re equally comfortable navigating intricate financial regulations and their clients’ complex lives.
Demand for personal financial advisors is expected to grow at a faster than average rate of 7% through 2028. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median U.S. salary for financial planners is $89,000. On average, certified financial planners earn 25% more than non-certified financial planners.
Nebraska Wesleyan University equips you to guide people through some of the most important decisions of their lives. You can have a rewarding career helping others make their long-term financial goals a reality.
Put yourself in perfect position for certification.
Nebraska Wesleyan’s online financial planning courses are designed to prepare you well for your certification exam. Those courses combine with personal support from NWU faculty through academic advising and instruction. You’ll enter that exam ready to succeed.
Financial advisors and planners are accredited by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP® Board), which ensures that advisors and planners meet strict educational, professional and ethical requirements.
The CFP® Certification has been an industry gold standard for over 30 years and the NWU program will help you prepare for the crucial CFP® exam. In fact, 90% of consumers see an advisor’s certification as a key component of deciding who to work with.
Coursework for Financial Planning
Academically equivalent, both bachelor of art and bachelor of science degrees will prepare students for a career as a Financial Planner or Advisor.
To become a Certified Financial Planner, students must complete four key requirements:
- Education
- Complete a bachelor's degree.
- Complete a seven-course sequence from a CFP Board Registered Program (the LCMC consortium qualifies as a CFP Board Registered Program).
- Exam
- Complete a 170 question, 6-hour multiple choice exam offered in March, July, or November).
- Experience
- Complete 6,000 hours of professional experience relating to financial planning or complete 4,000 hours of an apprenticeship. This experience must be completed within five years of sitting for the exam.
- Ethics
- Complete the ethics declaration form and pass a background check.
| Capstone | 3 hours |
|---|
| BUSAD 4800 Strategic Management | 3 hours |
*This course is offered remotely via NWU's partnership with a Consortium. The partnership allows students to earn NWU credit for specific courses. Classes are designed by top academics and industry leaders, vetted by NWU, and taught by experts in the field.
This is an introduction to the basic accounting model and the framework for developing financial statements. The major focus is on the study of generally accepted accounting principles as they apply to the measurement of income and the presentation of a firm's financial position.
(Normally offered each semester.)
The role of accounting in the formation and capitalization of corporations is studied. Other topics include cash flow, analysis and interpretation of financial statements, and basic managerial accounting.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in ACCT 1310 Principles of Accounting I.
(Normally offered each semester.)
Students examine the role of marketing in society with an introduction to the fundamentals of strategic marketing planning and the development of the marketing mix. Topics include buyer behavior, market segmentation, distribution, pricing policies, communication strategies, and product development.
(Normally offered each semester.)
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include gathering, organizing, interpreting, and presenting data with emphasis on hypothesis testing as a method for decision making in the fields of business and economics. Procedures include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, and simple regression.
Cross listed with ECON 2100.
Prerequisite(s): Demonstrated proficiency in high school algebra or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This course will review the basics of effective oral and written communication and apply these basics to business writing and presentations. A variety of individual and collaborative projects, including memos, letters, and reports, will emphasize the process of drafting, revising, and editing business communications.
Prerequisite(s): Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, International Business, or Sport Management major.
An introduction to management theory and practice. Students explore the history of management and the environment in which managers operate. Classroom discussion focuses on the basic managerial functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
(Normally offered each semester.)
An introduction to the law, the courts, torts and contracts. It will also explore the law's application to business. This is a required course for Business Administration and Accounting majors.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This course will review modern quantitative methods used in decision making. The intent is to expose the student to various modeling techniques and to apply these techniques using Excel. Topics include productivity and capacity analysis, forecasting, regression analysis, linear programming, PERT/CPM, and statistical process control.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in BUSAD 2100 Business and Economic Statistics, ECON 2100 Business and Economic Statistics, MATH 1300 Statistics, or MATH 3300 Mathematical Statistics I, and one of MATH 1100 College Algebra or MATH 1600 Calculus I, or department chair permission.
(Normally offered each semester.)
Students are introduced to financial management of proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Concepts of risk and return, time value of money, and stock and bond valuation are analyzed from a quantitative approach and applied throughout the course. Additional topics covered are the cost of capital as related to discounted cash flow, capital budgeting, and strategic financing decisions. A project consisting of several spreadsheet applications will be utilized in order to expose students to their potential for financial analysis. Topics covered include: basic financial statements, financial ratio analysis, time value of money, valuation and rates of return, the cost of capital, and capital budgeting.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and grades of "C-" or better in ECON 1530 Macroeconomic Principles or ECON 1540 Microeconomic Principles, ACCT 1320 Principles of Accounting II, and a department-approved Math course (MATH 1100 College Algebra, MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus, MATH 1450 Finite Mathematics, MATH 1500 Calculus for Management, Biological, and Social Sciences or MATH 1600 Calculus I), or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This course provides a comprehensive examination of the general principles of financial planning, professional conduct and regulation, and education planning. The course introduces students to the financial planning process and working with clients to set goals and assess risk tolerance. In addition, students will learn to process and analyze information, construct personal financial statements, develop debt management plans, recommend financing strategies, and understand the basic components of a written comprehensive financial plan. The course also covers the regulatory environment, the time value of money, and economic concepts. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing.
This course provides a comprehensive examination of the general principles of risk management and insurance planning for individual and family clients. The course first introduces students to the risk management and insurance planning process and working with clients to analyze and evaluate risk exposures. Second, the core insurance lines of coverage are explored in detail, including health, disability, long-term care, life, and personal property and casualty (homeowners', personal auto policy, etc.). In addition, the student will learn to analyze an individual and family's insurance needs, select the most appropriate insurance policy and company, and understand a business owner's use of insurance to protect the business's assets and future income. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or higher in BUSAD 3710 General Principles of Financial Planning.
This course is designed for students interested in pursuing financial planning and asset management careers. This course explores the securities market, sources of information, risk/return, stocks, bonds, options, futures, and security analysis and culminates in portfolio construction and analysis. In addition, students will learn how to evaluate different asset classes for different investment objectives and determine their suitability for investors considering investment goals, time horizons, risk tolerance, and tax situations. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or higher in BUSAD 3710 General Principles of Financial Planning.
This course covers taxation for individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations, as well as the tax aspects of investments, insurance, annuities, and retirement planning. Students will identify the likely tax consequences of personal and business financial activities and select appropriate and lawful tax-minimizing tactics and strategies. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or higher in BUSAD 3710 General Principles of Financial Planning.
This course provides students with the foundation to conduct a retirement needs analysis for individuals. In addition, students will understand the different types of retirement plans available to individuals and recognize the key factors that affect retirement plan selection for business owners. Students will evaluate and compare the characteristics of various retirement plans, address client suitability, and provide plan recommendations. The course covers tax-deferred retirement plans, IRAs, nonqualified plans, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, distribution strategies, taxation of distributions, and regulatory considerations. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or higher in BUSAD 3710 General Principles of Financial Planning.
This course introduces federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes and the many planning techniques used to minimize the impact of these taxes on transfers of wealth. It also explores the income-tax effects of gifts and bequests, particularly the limitations of income-shifting to family members. The non-tax aspects of estate planning, including the estate planning process, property ownership, planning for incapacity, and planning for business owners, are examined, as is the need for estate planning documents for individuals, spouses, and unmarried couples. The course stresses the need for balancing tax and non-tax considerations in creating successful estate plans. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or higher in BUSAD 3710 General Principles of Financial Planning.
Students will develop a complete financial plan through case studies and interviewing mock clients. Presentations of a formal financial plan, demonstrating the ability to set client expectations and communicate with clients by answering questions and concerns, are also required. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP Board of Standards. This course is an online class offered through the Lower Cost Models Consortium.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or higher in BUSAD 3710 General Principles of Financial Planning, BUSAD 3720 Risk Management & Insurance Planning, BUSAD 3730 Investment Planning, BUSAD 3740 Tax Planning, BUSAD 3750 Retirement Savings & Income Planning, and BUSAD 3760 Estate Planning.
This course investigates ethical issues and moral dilemmas found in the modern business arena. The conflict between an organization's economic performance and its social obligations are studied. Various economic theories, legal regulations and philosophic doctrines are discussed. Contemporary Western moral philosophy, historic and contemporary Christian ethics, and social theory provide a context for the course. Case studies are integrated throughout the semester.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and a 1000- or 2000-level speaking-instructive course.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
This course integrates all prior accounting, business, and economics courses as final preparation for the student's entry into the business world or graduate studies. Case studies and computer simulations are utilized to enable students to gain an understanding of business operations and the application of business principles.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing Business Administration, Accounting, or Economics majors, grades of "C-" or better in ACCT 1310 Principles of Accounting I, ACCT 1320 Principles of Accounting II, ECON 1530 Macroeconomic Principles, ECON 1540 Microeconomic Principles, and BUSAD 2500 Principles of Management and BUSAD 2000 Principles of Marketing, or permission of the instructor, and a 1000- or 2000-level writing-instructive course.
(Normally offered each semester.)
Each student must work with the department internship coordinator to obtain a business-related internship related to the specific area of emphasis or interest of the student. This course presents each student the opportunity for work-related application of business interest. Under special circumstances, a second internship may be taken for credit with the approval of the business department chair and the internship coordinator.
No Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of the department internship coordinator.
(Normally offered each semester.)
An examination of the macroeconomic theories, problems, and policies of the U.S. economy. Topics include supply and demand, a description of the main sectors of the economy, and the role of government in stabilizing the economy with monetary and fiscal policies.
(Normally offered each semester.)
An examination of the microeconomic theories, problems, and policies of the U.S. economy. Topics include the theory of the firm, market structures, and current economic issues such as income distribution, antitrust policy, poverty, the farm problem, and international trade.
Prerequisite(s): ECON 1530 Macroeconomic Principles strongly recommended.
(Normally offered each semester.)
See BUSAD 2100 Business and Economic Statistics.
A study of functions from algebraic, graphical, numerical and modeling perspectives. The functions are chosen from among linear, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic.
Prerequisite(s): Math ACT score of at least 21.
(Normally offered each semester.)
An introduction to statistics concepts with an emphasis on applications. Topics include descriptive statistics, discrete and continuous probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and linear regression.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
A study of elementary functions, their graphs, and applications, including polynomial, rational, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.
Prerequisite(s): Math ACT score of at least 24 or grade of "C" or better in MATH 1100 College Algebra.
A survey of specialized mathematical techniques used to solve contemporary problems in business, economics and the social sciences. Topics may include linear regression, mathematical finance, systems of equations, matrix algebra, linear programming, enumeration, probability, and statistics.
Prerequisite(s): Math ACT of at least 24 or a grade of "C "or better in MATH 1100 College Algebra.
(Normally offered each semester.)
A calculus course for non-mathematics majors. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, and integration with emphasis on relevant applications.
Prerequisite(s): Math ACT score of at least 24 or grade of "C" or better in MATH 1100 College Algebra.
(Normally offered once a year.)
An introduction to calculus of a single variable. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, and beginning integration with applications. Assignments are given that help build proficiency in the use of a computer algebra system.
Prerequisite(s): Math ACT score of at least 27, or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 1470 Trigonometry or MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus, or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each semester.)
An introduction to basic probability and statistics concepts with an emphasis on applications. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, Bayes' Theorem, discrete and continuous probability distributions, joint probability distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C" or better in MATH 1610 Calculus II.
(Normally offered fall of even-numbered years.)
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics as decision-making guides in psychology and related fields. Topics include organization, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data with emphasis on the hypothesis testing model of inference. Specific procedures include z-tests, t-tests, analysis of variance, and correlation. A laboratory section is required for computational experience.
Prerequisite(s): PSYCH 1010/PSYCH 1010FYW Introduction to Psychological Science and sophomore standing.
Recommended: College level mathematics course.
(Normally offered each semester.)
In this course students are introduced to descriptive and inferential statistics and their applications to sociological research. Statistical procedures include central tendency measures, variability, t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation, regression, and chi square. The course also includes specific training in using SPSS for analysis.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)