Personal Financial Planning
Become a Financial Planner through Graduate Studies at TTU
The Personal Financial Planning Department at Texas Tech University offers six graduate degrees and one graduate certificate that focus on financial planning and qualify graduates to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination. An undergraduate degree in Financial Planning, Finance or Accounting is not required for the MS/PFP or any of the joint degree programs; however, up to 9 hours of leveling courses may be required for the MS in Personal Financial Planning depending upon undergraduate courses completed.
Typical class size is 15 to 20 students, and classes are taught by a faculty who specialize in the area. These professors typically have professional designations and experience in financial planning as well as related research interests. Professionalism, networking, and ethics are emphasized in all degree programs with opportunities for paid internships and attendance at professional conferences.
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The MS in Personal Financial Planning is a 42-hour curriculum designed for the student wanting to enter the financial planning profession or advance their knowledge in this profession. Required classes include two overview courses, one at the beginning of the program and a capstone class at the end of the program; two asset management courses; two insurance and risk management courses; two tax planning courses; and one course each in retirement planning, estate planning, technology, and financial counseling. In addition, students choose two electives from a variety of areas to expand their knowledge or build expertise in a selected area of financial planning. In-residence students can complete their degree within 18 to 24 months, including summer school. “Summer Scholars,” students who are in-residence only during the summer sessions, can complete the MS/PFP in 3-4 summers.
We also offer joint masters degree programs in conjunction with the Rawls School of Business and the Texas Tech School of Law. Joint degrees allow a student to earn two degrees concurrently while completing fewer total hours than required if completing the degrees independently (approximately 12 hours savings). -
The JD/MS in Personal Financial Planning opens doors for students in the areas of structured settlements, estate planning, and compliance. Twelve hours from the Law degree in the areas of tax and estate planning are taken in addition to 24 hours in personal financial planning. Students can earn this joint degree with minimal extra time in school by attending summer sessions regularly.
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The MS Finance/MS Personal Financial Planning is for those students interested in portfolio management. This 74-hour joint degree program consists of 27 hours from the financial planning degree in addition to 47 hours from the MS Finance degree plan.
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The MBA/MS in Personal Financial Planning prepares students who seek management opportunities in a financial services/planning setting. This 63 program includes 27 hours of personal financial planning and 36 hours from the MBA program.
For students who want to complete the educational requirement for the CFP® Certification Examination but who are not interested in earning an advanced degree, we offer the Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning. A minimum of 18 hours must be completed in the areas of Financial Planning, Asset Management, Insurance and Risk Management, Retirement, Tax, and Estate Planning for the certificate from Texas Tech. For students with no previous coursework in these areas, 28 hours may be required to meet the educational requirements of CFP Board to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.