University launches personal financial planning online bachelor's degree
Thursday, June 29, 2017
MANHATTAN — With the aim of expanding the reach of its successful on-campus program, Kansas State University has launched an online bachelor's degree in personal financial planning.
This new bachelor's program gives the university an online personal financial planning offering at every academic level, a unique designation that positions Kansas State University as a national leader in this area. The bachelor's degree joins the university's online graduate certificate, master's degree and doctorate in personal financial planning.
"As a top program in the country, the K-State personal financial planning program has a long history of preparing students to excel in professions related to personal finance, like financial planning, financial counseling and, most recently, financial therapy," said Kristy Archuleta, associate professor and program director of the Institute of Personal Financial Planning. "We are taking our bachelor's program online in an effort to help fill the shortage of financial advisers in the country."
The program's on-campus success is attributed to the quality faculty and the career outlook for those in the industry. According to a report produced by Economic Modeling Specialists International, this industry continues to grow, with jobs related to this field forecasted to grow by 12 percent over the next five years. The same report also projects salary data and includes a median wage of more than $85,000 annually.
Both the online and on-campus delivery methods set students on the path to a rewarding career in the financial industry working with people, Archuleta said. Students have access to a broad selection of courses examining family relationships and decision making, consumer rights, retirement and estate planning, and insurance and investments.
This program combines an emphasis on understanding financial products and how they work, as well as the role of family in financial decisions. This helps build a solid foundation and prepares graduates to thrive in this in-demand profession, according to Archuleta.
"Our program is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. and K-State is an approved university by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, making students eligible to sit for the Certified Financial Planner certification examination and the Accredited Financial Counselor certification examination," Archuleta said. "Successful students in our program have a mind for business and a heart for people."
Kansas State University students have a history of success taking the Certified Financial Planner certification examination, with students boasting an above-average pass rate, Archuleta said.
Program faculty will guide students through their studies, allowing them to benefit from their years of industry knowledge. In addition, Archuleta said students will become part of a program with a longstanding tradition of achievement. The university's personal financial planning program students have placed in the top three teams in the National Collegiate Financial Planning Competition in seven of the last 12 years.
