Program summary
Program overview
Admission requirements
Program structure
Program requirements
Enquiries

Program summary

Award abbreviation: GCFinPlan
Degree type: postgraduate coursework program
Mode of study: online
Duration: ½ year minimum, 1½ years maximum full-time; ⅔ year minimum, 2 years maximum part-time
Fee type: domestic fee-paying places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 4
Commence: online coursework programs run on a session basis, three times a year, commencing in February, June and October (Session 1, 2 and 3)
Program code: BU511
CRICOS code: this program is delivered online only. International students please note the online mode is not available for study in Australia on a student visa.

Program overview

Financial planners are faced with constant change in the regulation of the profession and reforms in the financial system. The Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning is designed to develop skills to cope with this increasing complexity and ambiguity.

The four courses in this Graduate Certificate can articulate into the Graduate Diploma and the Master of Financial Planning. The Graduate Certificate is equivalent to one-third of the Master of Financial Planning and consists of any four of the six Financial Planning courses.

It is possible to meet all the ASIC requirements in relation to the financial planning competencies by completing the Graduate Certificate, provided the appropriate sequence of courses is studied.

Professional membership

The University of the Sunshine Coast's courses are on the ASIC register of compliant training for financial advisors and the Financial Planning Association has approved the University's programs as a pathway to their CFP program.

Admission requirements

Applicants who possess a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution or other formal qualifications acceptable to the Postgraduate Studies Financial Planning Committee, are able to apply.

Qualifications and experience and/or professional memberships may be approved as a suitable admission requirement into the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning.

Applicants whose first language is other than English must demonstrate an appropriate level of English proficiency by providing evidence of one of the required qualifications.

Advanced standing

Course(s) completed elsewhere may count towards a student's qualification with the University of the Sunshine Coast, with a maximum of two courses of advanced standing granted in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning. For example, students can receive advanced standing for completed approved financial planning courses.

Program structure

The Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning program comprises any 4 courses from the MFP program required course list.

Required courses

Session 1, 2007 late February - early June

FIN710 Superannuation and Retirement Planning
FIN720 Financial and Investment Planning

Session 2, 2007 late June - early October

BUS704 Corporate Finance
FIN712 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning
FIN721 Risk Management and Insurance Planning

Session 3, 2007 late October - early February

BUS704 Corporate Finance
FIN711 Financial Plan Development, Consulting & Negotiation *

* FIN711 is a capstone course where a financial plan is completed as part of the assessment. FIN710 , FIN712 , FIN720 and FIN721 must be completed before attempting this course.

Program requirements

Students are required to successfully complete 4 courses as specified in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning structure. Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.

Enquiries

Coordinator Graduate Studies
Faculty of Business
Tel: +61 7 5459 4444
Fax: +61 7 5430 1231
Email: mfpenquiries@usc.edu.au