Source: John Grable, 785-532-1486, jgrable@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Jane Marshall, 785-532-1519, jpm2@k-state.edu
Monday, Nov. 7, 2011
Among the best: K-State a 'standout school' in personal financial planning
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's personal financial planning program is being recognized as a true asset by a national financial planning publication.
The program is among the top 10 in the nation recognized in "Financial planning education 101: 10 Standout Schools," which appears in the Nov. 1 issue of Financial Planning e-newsletter.
"Every recognized profession has its top schools," wrote Danielle Reed, the newsletter's executive editor. "Today there are more than 333 CFP board-registered programs, from certified programs (183) to undergraduate (103), master’s (41) and Ph.D. programs (6)."
To select the 10 top institutions, Reed wrote that she interviewed veteran planners and industry leaders.
Kansas State University is one of only three of the schools on the list offering four or more Certified Financial Planning Board-registered programs. About 200 students are enrolled in the university's undergraduate, master's, Ph.D., or graduate certificate programs.
The university's School of Family Studies and Human Services, long known for consumer-oriented financial research, began to place more emphasis on personal finance for individuals and families, says John Grable, director of the school's Institute of Personal Financial Planning. One of the specialties of the graduate program is financial therapy, a program that started around four years ago, that brings together planners and therapists, social workers, psychologists and counselors.
"What we found is if you talk to a marriage and family therapist, they'll tell you most families are facing some financial stress," Grable says in the article.
Esther Maddux, professor in the master's degree program, is also quoted in the article. She says most of the graduate course work is done online, as students often have full-time jobs, and some are based far away.
The personal financial planning program is part of Kansas State University's College of Human Ecology.
Other schools making the top 10 list include: The College For Financial Planning in Greenwood Village, Colo.; University of Georgia, Athens; Boston University; Kaplan; San Diego State University; William Paterson University, Wayne, N.J.; Texas Tech University, Lubbock; Utah Valley University, Orem; and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.
