Financial Planning Degree | Online Financial Advisor Degree (2024)

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Academic Minors

Personalize your degree with a minor. Explore available minors, learn how minors can benefit you, and find out what requirements you must meet to earn a minor.

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Microcredentials Align with Job Essentials

In today's dynamic work environments, adaptive professionals thrive. A microcredential - either as a stand-alone course or integrated into your degree program - is a short, skill-specific recognition that enables you to demonstrate your competency in a distinct area. Like Franklin's degree programs, microcredentials are aligned with market and industry demand to ensure what you learn can be put to use right away. Microcredentials are easily shared via digital badges and can be stacked to create a unique portfolio of in-demand skills.

Personal Finance Fundamentals

Risk Management & Insurance Planning

Retirement & Estate Planning

Global Financial Markets

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B.S. Financial Planning Program Details

Tuition Costs

2023- 2024Tuition	Cost Per Credit
Standard tuition	$398
B.S. in Nursing	$298
Current service members	$250
International students	$526

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67% LESS IN TUITION

For students taking 31 credits per year, Franklin University’s undergraduate tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year is$12,338. According to Collegeboard.org, that's about 67% less than the national average private, nonprofit four-year college tuition of $38,070.

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Program Learning Outcomes

A learning outcome map functions as a roadmap to help guide students' progress through their program of study. Click HERE to view the B.S. Financial Planning matrix.

Degree Requirements

1. To be awarded an undergraduate degree, students must:

• Successfully complete all courses required in the major program, including:
• General Education
• Business or Professional Core
• Major Area and Elective Courses
• Technical transfer credit (for specific degree completion programs only)

2. Meet these grade point average (GPA) requirements:

• All students must attain a minimum Franklin University cumulative GPA of 2.00
• All students must attain a minimum GPA of 2.25 in the major area, and each major area course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward degree requirements

3. Complete the residency requirement

• Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Students seeking an associate’s degree must earn 20 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree.

4. Complete the payment of all requisite tuition and fees

5. Not be under disciplinary dismissal due to academic dishonesty or a violation of the Student Code of Conduct

Program Chairs and Academic Advisors are available for consultation to provide information and guidance regarding the selection of courses, the accuracy of schedules, and the transfer process. However, students are responsible for understanding and meeting the degree requirements of their major program or degree and for planning schedules accordingly.

Overall Residency Requirements

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Students seeking an associate’s degree must earn 20 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree.

Course Level Requirements

A student must have 40 credit hours overall that are equivalent to 300/400 level Franklin University courses for a bachelor’s degree. A student must have a minimum of 12 credit hours of courses that are equivalent to 200 level or above for an associate’s degree.

Business Core Requirements

Majors that have Business Core requirements are Accounting, Applied Management, Business Administration, Business Economics, Business Forensics, Energy Management, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Financial Planning, Forensic Accounting, Human Resources Management, Information Systems Auditing, Logistics Management, Management & Leadership, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain Management, and Risk Management & Insurance. The Business Core is the foundation of the related academic disciplines appropriate for a baccalaureate degree in business. The purpose of the Business Core is to provide students with a conceptual understanding of organizations, how the functional areas interrelate to achieve organizational goals, and how to apply professional decision-making competencies and technical skills in today’s environment. After completing the Business Core, graduates will be able to:

• analyze an organization’s accounting information in order to develop sound business decisions
• identify and apply valuation models relevant to an organization’s financial decisions
• identify the impact of forces influencing the major functional areas of business (e.g., ethical, legal, technological, economic, global and social)
• apply marketing activities to the delivery of goods and services in business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets
• apply interpersonal and resource management skills to enhance business success

Business Principles (BSAD 110) is a Business Core prerequisite. Transfer students with the equivalent of four business courses are not required to take Business Principles.

Major Area Requirements

A student must have 20 credit hours in the major area that are equivalent to 300/400 major level Franklin courses for a bachelor’s degree. A student must have 12 hours of major area courses that are equivalent to 200 level or above for an associate’s degree. A minimum 2.25 GPA is required in the major area for students enrolled in either the associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs, and each major course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward degree requirements.

Capstone Requirement

Every major has a capstone experience for which credit cannot be transferred into the University. This is a Franklin course designed to integrate and assess the learning outcomes specific to each major as a whole. This course should be taken as the last major course. If, given the academic scheduling process and the student’s projected graduation date, this is not possible, then the student should have Senior Standing (90 or more credit hours), plus the skill-based General Education courses (COMM, SPCH, WRIT, MATH, COMP), all business or professional core courses, and the capstone prerequisite courses.

Subsequent Degree Requirements

Students pursuing subsequent bachelor’s degrees must earn in residency at Franklin University a minimum of 30 credit hours at the 200 level or above, of which a minimum of 16 credit hours must be major area courses equivalent to 300/400 level courses.

Additional Degree Requirements

Students seeking an additional bachelor’s (or associate’s) degree must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (including the major requirements) beyond the first bachelor’s (or associate’s) degree. (See the “Subsequent Degree” section of the Academic Bulletin.)

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit and credit awarded on standardized exams, proficiency exams or portfolio credit awarded by another institution will not count toward the residency requirement at Franklin University. Credit awarded based on proficiency examination or portfolio evaluation conducted by Franklin University may apply as appropriate major area credit, but will not reduce the hours required toward the residency requirement.

Admission Requirements

A student who meets at least one of the following criteria is eligible for admission as a degree-seeking student:

• Has provided official documentation of graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent (see Documentation Required below), or
• Has an associate, bachelor or master’s degree from an institutionally (formerly regionally) accredited institution of higher education, an institution recognized as a candidate for accreditation, or an institution recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation

Documentation Required

1. Documentation of high school graduation or equivalence - required for applicants who are transferring fewer than 60 semester hours that apply towards a Franklin degree.
2. If the student has transferable hours of 60 credit hours or more from an institutionally (formerly regionally) accredited institution of higher education, then they will not have to provide a high school diploma or equivalence. Acceptable forms of documentation of high school graduation or high school equivalence for undergraduate admission must include one of the following:

• Official high school transcript listing the date of graduation
• Official GED certificate
• Official documentation of having passed a State High School Equivalency examination
• Official documentation of a home school completion certificate/transcript
• Official transcripts from all educational institutions (college, universities, professional schools, etc.) previously enrolled in, regardless if credit was earned.

A student classified as degree seeking will not be permitted to register for courses until all transcripts are received and placement tests completed (see specific requirements under “Placement Testing”).

Admission Process

Admission procedures should be started early to maximize scheduling options and financial planning. Learn more about the undergraduate admission process.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Prospective students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following:

• The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language.
• he applicant has received a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English.
• The applicant has earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed below.

Undergraduate face-to-face: Students must earn a minimum overall TOEFL score of 500 (paper-based), 60 (Internet-based), 5.5 IELTS, ACCUPLACER ESL 259, or Cambridge 160 with at least the following scores on each of the exam subsections. Prior to registration, students will be given a language placement exam to determine whether ESL studies are required.

	TOEFL	IELTS	ACCUPLACER	Cambridge English Scale
Reading	15/30	5.5	85	160
Writing	15/30	5.5	4	160
Listening	15/30	5.5	85	160
Speaking	15/30	5.5	n/a	160
Sentence Meaning	n/a	n/a	85	n/a

Global or Online International students must take Reading Comprehension and Writing placement exams.

Students must earn a minimum overall TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) /79 (Internet-based), 6.5 IELTS, ACCUPLACER ESL® 105, or Cambridge 180 with at least the following scores on each of the exam subsections.

	TOEFL	IELTS	ACCUPLACER	Cambridge English Scale
Reading	20/30	6.5	00	180
Writing	20/30	6.5	5	180

ACCUPLACER Assessments for Admission

• Prospective students may demonstrate English language proficiency through the ACCUPLACER ESL® examinations administered by Franklin University. The ACCUPLACER ESL® suite of examinations are internet-based, computer-adaptive assessments designed to properly assess students’ English language competencies.
• Testing fees and any related administrative or proctor fee will be assessed for the administration of the
• ACCUPLACER examinations. Students are also responsible for all fees incurred for retake examinations.
• Students who do not meet the minimum score requirements may retake the examination(s) once within a two-week period. Subsequent examination retakes will be considered after a three month waiting period. Passing scores will remain valid with Franklin University for a period of two years.
• All ACCUPLACER examinations must be administered by an approved proctor that meets specific criteria, as defined by our proctor expectations. An alternative to finding a proctor in your area is Virtual, an online proctoring service, approved by ACCUPLACER. For additional information, contact the Office of International Students and Programs.

Program Advisory Board

The University employs a team approach to planning, developing and maintaining its academic curriculum. An essential element of this process – and a key to the institution’s quality assurance practices – is the Program Advisory Board (and the associated Alumni Advisory Board). A diverse array of business and industry leaders make up these discipline-specific boards that provide guidance on theory-to-practice ideas, global business perspectives, and emerging topics in the field. Each academic year, Program Advisory Boards meet with Division Chairs and faculty for lively and engaged conversations, thus bringing members’ substantial professional experience and expertise into the classroom. In addition, some Division Chairs elect to engage Program Advisory Board members in the assessment of academic program outcomes.

Name	Organization	Title
Samantha Anderson	Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.	Associate Wealth Manager
Alisa Blazek	Kinesight Fitness, LLC	Owner + Operator
Paul Dolce	Financial Solutions LLC	Napfa-Registered Financial Advisory
Samantha MacChia	Summit Financial Strategy	Partner
Ronald Mooney	RHK Group	President
Jacob Popovich	Columbus State Community College	Prg. Dir., Finance+Real Estate

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Financial Planning Career Opportunities

Employee Benefit Consultant

Employee Benefit Consultants plan, administer, and manage group benefits, including compensation, health and life insurance, and pension or 401(k) retirement plans

Estate Planning Professionals

Estate Planning Professionals help individuals plan the disposal and distribution of their assets upon death, creating wills, trusts, and other provisions to ensure the integrity of financial legacies.

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors counsel individuals and organizations on their investment opportunities and options in order to achieve short- and long-term financial goals.

Income Tax Planning Advisor

Income Tax Planning Advisors assist corporations and individuals file accurate tax returns in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Investment Consultant

Investment Consultants review personal financial statements, determine individual investment objectives, and evaluate risk profiles in order to suggest investment options to reach short- and long-term financial goals.

Personal Financial Specialist

Personal Financial Specialists review financial data and investment goals in order to recommend appropriate asset selection strategies.

Retirement Counselor

Retirement Counselors advise organizations on the types of pension and 401(k) retirement plans available to employees, and may set up and administer these plans as required

Risk Management Advisor

Risk Management Advisors assess investment and insurance for liability, identifying ways to mitigate risk and implementing strategies to minimize loss.

Wealth Management Advisor

Wealth Management Advisors oversee corporate or individual assets to ensure that asset values increase in accordance with financial goals and objectives.

Financial Planning Employment Outlook

8%

From 2021-2031, jobs in Financial Planning are expected to increase by 8%

All Occupations

2021	2,267,214 jobs
2031	2,441,365 jobs

Show Details >

Personal Financial Advisors

2021	1,925,720 jobs
2031	2,277,822 jobs

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

2021	477,844 jobs
2031	506,142 jobs

Source information provided by Lightcast.

Get College Credit for What You Already Know

The certificates and training listed below are relevant to this degree program. Search our database to view pre-evaluated credentials and see how a license, certification or professional training saves you time and money toward your degree.

Visit MyCertificates + Training to view all pre-evaluated credentials.

Online Bachelor's in Financial Planning Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Financial Planning degree?

Congratulations on wanting to finish your degree. At Franklin, we make it easy and convenient for busy, working adults to complete their bachelor's degree program alongside other commitments. Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes about 4 years of full-time study from start to finish. However, Franklin’s generous transfer policy can help you finish faster. Visit MyTransfer Credit to see how your previously earned credits can save you time toward your bachelor’s.

When can I start a Financial Planning degree?

Franklin makes getting started easy and convenient. We offer three trimesters every year, with start dates within each. Talk to your admissions advisor to find the start date that works best for you.

How much will my Financial Planning degree cost?

Franklin University offers a quality education at a competitive cost so you can afford to invest in your future. Our per credit hour tuition rates (vs. per year or per term rates) enable you to get a realistic estimate of exactly how much your degree will cost - especially once you've factored in transfer credit.Our2023-2024 tuition rate is $398 per credit hour and with our tuition guarantee, you can lock-in your tuition rate from your first term through graduation. Ask our helpful staff about available financing options and financial aid programs. Visit MyTransfer Credit to see how transfer credits could help you save time and money.

What is a Financial Planning degree?

This is a four-year undergraduate degree program. Franklin's B.S. Financial Planning degree program can prepare you for a career in developing comprehensive strategies that help individuals, families and small business owners reach their financial and retirement goals.

What can you do with a Financial Planning degree?

With Franklin's B.S. Financial Planning degree, you'll be well-prepared to sit for the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) exam and become a comprehensive financial planner who helps people manage their finances to achieve their personal financial goals.

Why get a Financial Planning degree?

With Franklin's bachelor degree program in financial planning, you'll be introduced to all the major aspects of personal finance, including planning for retirement, saving for college, making sound investment choices and lowering income tax liabilities. Our B.S. Financial Planning degree program prepares you to help your clients make informed financial strategies for long-term financial success.

What makes Franklin’s Financial Planning degree unique?

Franklin’s B.S. Financial Planning degree program provides a hands-on and responsive education to help make you job-ready from day one. Franklin's curriculum is designed for the busy, working adult, with courses that can advance your knowledge and skills to meet the demands of today's financial planning industry. At Franklin, you learn both the “what” of financial planning, as well as the “how” and the “why.” You'll also have the opportunity to provide financial planning counseling to real clients through an IRS-supported community service program, as well as participate in activities and networking events of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Does Franklin's financial planning bachelor degree program satisfy the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) Board requirements?

It does! Franklin’s B.S. Financial Planning is a CFP Board-registered program. Once you complete our program, you're immediately eligible to sit for the CFP exam.

Does Franklin's degree program cover what’s tested in the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) exam?

Yes, Franklin’s financial planning curriculum is especially designed to cover the CFP's principal knowledge topic and subtopic categories. View all 80 CFP exam categories.

I have a CPA and/or other designation. Do I have to complete all seven of Franklin's courses before sitting for the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) exam?

It depends. The CFP Board, not Franklin, determines which academic degrees and professional credentials fulfill the education coursework required for CFP® certification. If you hold one of the CFP Board-approved credentials or degrees, you may be eligible to take the exam after completing Franklin’s financial planning capstone course. Check this list of CFP-approved degrees or credentials to see if yours qualifies.

What’s the difference between majoring in finance and majoring in financial planning?

Our financial planning degree program is designed to prepare you to become a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) who works with personal finance clients on their investments, tax strategy, debt management, retirement, insurance and estate planning. Our financial management degree program prepares you for a career in corporate finance or to take on a business analysis-type position within a government agency.

Is Franklin's B.S. Financial Planning degree program accredited?

Yes, by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) -- that means our program was examined by trained evaluators to meet IACBE's eight quality standards.

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