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Master of Science Degree in Consumer Sciences
Specialization in Family Financial Planning and Counseling

Specialization Description
In this specialization within the 30-hour Master of Science degree program, students will study economic and social influences on the family and learn how to help individuals and families achieve their financial goals. By taking two courses each semester, students may complete this M.S. in Consumer Sciences degree in less than two years.

Careers
Family financial planning is predicted to be one of the fastest growing career tracks of the next decade. Financial planners may consider working in the following areas:

financial advisory groups    insurance companies                    community action programs

accounting firms                family service agencies                 estate planning firms

brokerage houses              financial planning firms                 employee benefits departments

banks                               bankruptcy courts                         retirement planning groups

Curriculum
Students must earn 30 hours of coursework for the M.S. in Consumer Sciences degree including 27 hours in the area of family financial planning and counseling and 3 hours of electives in the area of specialization. The following required courses are available online as well as on the UA campus:

Required Courses:

  • CSM 500 Personal Insurance Planning and Management (3 hours)
  • CSM 504 Personal Investment Planning and Management (3 hours)
  • CSM 514 Personal Investment Planning and Management II (3 hours)
  • CSM 510 Personal Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits (3 hours)
  • CSM 520 Personal Estate Planning (3 hours)
  • CSM 554 Personal Income Tax Management and Planning (3 hours)
  • CSM 558 Using Spreadsheets in Financial Decision Making (3 hours)
  • CSM 559 Counseling Skills (3 hours)
  • CSM 560 Personal Financial Planning and Counseling Techniques (3 hours)

Suggested Electives (select 3 hours):

  • CSM 525 Consumer Conflict Resolution (3 hours)
  • CSM 562 Financial Planning Practice Management (3 hours)
  • CSM 581 Practicum/Internship (1-6 hours)

Prerequisite undergraduate courses: CSM 204 Introduction to Personal Financial Planning, EC 110, EC 111, and ST 260 or BER 345 (BER 540 may be taken for graduate level credit).

Students also must conduct a culminating experience prior to graduation. This may be done through internships, jobs, comprehensive final exam, or an in-depth research project.

Admission
Admission to the M.S. in Consumer Sciences Degree Program requires one of the following:

  • 3.0/4.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of professional goals
  • An acceptable MAT or GRE entrance examination score, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of professional goals

The application process begins by being admitted to The University of Alabama’s Graduate School (http://www.graduate.ua.edu). Upon admission, the student will be referred to an academic advisor in the Department of Consumer Sciences who will design a personalized academic plan.

CFP® Certification

Students completing the family financial planning and counseling specialization are taking an important step toward establishing professional credentials. The specialization is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., so that students who successfully complete the specialization will be eligible to sit for the CFP® certification examination that leads to the professional certification as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and CFP®.  The University of Alabama does not certify individuals to use the CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ marks. Please see footnote for more information.

Contact Information
Jan L. Brakefield, M.S., CFP®, Assistant Professor
College of Human Environmental Sciences
The University of Alabama
Box 870158
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0158
(205) 348-8722

Please visit www.ches.ua.edu/CSM for more information on this program.

CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board).  These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.  The University of Alabama does not certify individuals to use the CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ marks.  CFP® certification is granted solely by the CFP Board to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.