Program summary
Program title: Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning
Award abbreviation: GDFinPlan
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: online
Duration: 8 months minimum, 2 years maximum full-time; 16 months minimum, 4 years maximum part-time.
Commence: Session 1, Session 4 or Session 8
Fee type 2010: online postgraduate coursework places, international online fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
USC program code: BU611
CRICOS code: Not available to international students on a Student Visa
Highlights
- Become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Gain comprehensive knowledge of financial legislation and regulations
- Apply for a scholarship to help meet your study costs
As a Certified Financial Planner you can bank on a prosperous future.
Financial planners face constant change in the regulation of the industry and reforms in the financial system. The Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning gives you the opportunity to develop your skills to cope with this increasing complexity and ambiguity. When completing the 4-course Graduate Certificate it is possible for you to meet the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) requirements for financial planning competencies, if you study the appropriate sequence of courses.
For full ASIC compliance in all Tier 1 products, you must complete the following:
- FIN720 Financial and Investment Planning
- BUS704 Corporate Finance
- FIN721 Risk Management and Insurance Planning
- FIN710 Superannuation and Retirement Planning or FIN712 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning
The Graduate Diploma is an 8-course program that builds on the Graduate Certificate and articulates into the Master of Financial Planning. It provides you with fundamental skills in financial planning, investment, risk management, and superannuation and taxation planning. In addition, you choose two elective courses according to your interest. On completion of the Graduate Diploma, you are a qualified financial planner and have the skills to advise clients.
The Master of Financial Planning is for existing and intending professionals who need a broad range of financial planning skills. To meet client expectations, you acquire a comprehensive knowledge of financial legislation and regulations, and problem-solving abilities in all facets of financial planning. In this 12-course program, you must complete six compulsory financial planning courses and choose a further six elective courses according to your area of interest.
Professional recognition
The University of the Sunshine Coast’s courses are on the ASIC register of compliant training for fi-nancial advisors; and the Financial Planning Association of Australia Ltd has approved these programs as a pathway to the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
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 Diploma 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. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Program structure
The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning program comprises 6 required courses plus any 2 elective courses.
Required courses
BUS704 Corporate Finance
FIN710 Superannuation and Retirement Planning
FIN711 Financial Plan Development, Consulting and Negotiation †
FIN712 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning
FIN720 Financial and Investment Planning
FIN721 Risk Management and Insurance Planning
† FIN711 is a capstone course. FIN720 and either FIN710 or FIN712 must be completed before attempting this course.
Elective courses
ACC701 Accounting for Managers
BUS702 Economics for Managers
BUS703 Managing Research
BUS705 Innovation and Entrepreneurship ^
BUS706 International Business Law and Ethics
FIN714 Financial Planning Project **
INF701 Management Informatics
MGT701 Managing Organisations
MGT702 Managing People
MGT703 Strategic Management ^
MGT704 Global Business Management
MKG701 Marketing Management
** FIN714 prerequisite of BUS703 Research Methods for Managers with at least a credit grade.
^ BUS705 Innovation and Entrepreneurship and MGT703 Strategic Management are integrative courses which draw on a wide range of theories and practices covered in other courses in the program. Where possible, BUS705 and MGT703 should be undertaken towards the end of the MFinPlan program.
Course Schedule
Session offerings for all courses can be found on the 12 credit unit course schedule.
Program requirements
- Students are required to successfully complete 8 courses as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning program structure.
- Refer to the policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Not available to international students on a Student Visa.
Enquiries
How to apply
Faculty of Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1221
Fax: +61 7 5430 1231
Email: businessfaculty@usc.edu.au