Program summary
Program title: Master of Financial Planning
Award abbreviation: MFinPlan
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: online
Duration: 1 year minimum, 6 years maximum full-time; 2 years minimum, 6 years maximum part-time.
Fee type 2010: online postgraduate coursework places, international online fee-paying places
Total courses: 12
Commence: Session 1, Session 4 or Session 8
USC program code: BU711
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 Biodiversity and Ecology
- BUS704 Financial and Investment Planning
- FIN721 Corporate Finance
- FIN710 Risk Management and Insurance Planning or FIN712 Superannuation and Retirement 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. Other applicants may be able to enter the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning and/or the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and articulate into the Masters program.
Membership of a professional association and professional experience of at least five years may be approved by the Dean in association with the Postgraduate Studies Financial Planning Committee as a suitable admission requirement into the Master of 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 Master of Financial Planning program comprises 6 required courses plus any 6 elective courses.
Required courses
BUS704 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning
FIN710 Corporate Finance
FIN711 Superannuation and Retirement Planning †
FIN712 Financial Plan Development, Consulting and Negotiation
FIN720 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning
FIN721 Financial and Investment Planning
† FIN711 is a capstone course. FIN720 and either FIN710 or FIN712 must be completed before attempting this course.
Elective courses
ACC701 Risk Management and Insurance Planning
BUS702 Accounting for Managers
BUS703 Economics for Managers
BUS705 Managing Research ^
BUS706 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
FIN714 International Business Law and Ethics **
INF701 Financial Planning Project
MGT701 Management Informatics
MGT702 Managing Organisations
MGT703 Managing People ^
MGT704 Strategic Management
MKG701 Global Business 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.
Scholarships
Candidates wishing to apply for a scholarship must complete a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Scholarships are available at several levels, including a half waiver of full fees, and a quarter waiver of full fees. The level of scholarship awarded will depend on the achievements evidenced by prospective students as part of their admissions process. Further information will be provided on request for prospective students interested in applying for a scholarship.
For more information visit Student scholarships for Business masters programs.
Program requirements
- Students are required to successfully complete 12 courses as specified in the Master of 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.
- Only a full-time study option is 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