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Financial Planning Degree Online BS in Finance Concentration

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Register By: June 24 Classes Start: June 26

Plan Your Future in Finance

  • $320/credit (120 total credits)
  • Prepare to sit for the CFP® exam
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
  • No SAT/ACT scores required
  • Program accredited by ACSBP
  • Accelerated BS-to-MS pathway

Online Financial Planning Degree Program Overview

SNHU's CFP Board-registered online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning prepares students for a rewarding career, guiding people toward the achievement of their personal financial goals.

Graduates can receive required foundational knowledge in the main areas of financial planning including investments, retirement, estate planning, risk management and taxes.

Earning your financial planning degree at SNHU means you've met the educational requirement to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, one of the highest standards of excellence in the field. Our financial planning program is also registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc., preparing you to take the CFP® certification exam.

It is also the only CFP® Board-registered program in New Hampshire.

Licensure and Certification Disclosures

SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.

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What You'll Learn

  • Apply personal financial planning knowledge to achieve financial stability
  • Develop financial plans for clients
  • Explore domestic and global economic environments
  • Analyze financial statements to forecast and meet organizational goals
  • Use methodologies to make sound financial decisions
  • Apply compliant ethical and legal strategies

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How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom, and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

Financial Planning Career Outlook

The bachelor's in finance with a financial planning concentration puts you in a powerful position for employment in banking, insurance, mortgage companies and credit card firms. Some financial specialists work solo as tax preparers, personal financial advisors or real-estate appraisers – though additional licensure requirements, which vary by state, can apply.

Brendan Mann with the text Brendan Mann“The most successful advisors in the industry are the people strongest in interpersonal skills, who enjoy teaching, who like fostering the personal long-term relationships, and who have concern for the client,” said Brendan Mann, CFP® professional and finance adjunct faculty at SNHU. “You also need to have a certain intellectual level – CFP® certification is challenging. You’ll need aptitude and interest in analysis, as well as the ability to interact with families and balance the interpersonal and analytical sides.”

As an individual or as part of a financial team, with SNHU's online degree, you'll be prepared to take on jobs such as:

Investment Analyst

Guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to make a profit. Assess the performance of stocks, bonds and other types of investments.

Account Manager

Oversee the day-to-day financial operations of a particular customer's account within a business with a focus on client satisfaction.

Risk Analyst

Use analytical skills to project potential losses and make recommendations to limit risk through diversification, currency exchanges and other investment strategies.

Financial Consultant

Provide advice on investments, insurance, mortgages, estate planning, taxes and retirement to help individuals manage their finances.

Job Growth and Salary

The world of personal finance is changing rapidly. Driving the change are baby boomers, who are not only retiring in record numbers but also living longer and shifting from pensions to personal investments. Couple that with rising retirement in the finance industry and the result is an unprecedented demand for a new, diverse breed of financial planners.

Though there are many different financial advisors, being a certified CFP professional may set you apart. The CFP Board notes that getting certified increases your chances of a competitive edge and career satisfaction, as well as customer satisfaction.2

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Job Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment rates for personal financial advisors is projected to grow about 15% through 2031.1

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Salary

The BLS estimated an average salary of $94,170 in 2021, well above the national wages for all occupations.1

Start Your Journey Toward an Online Financial Planning Degree

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Learn Through Real-World Application

Alan McKnight, CFP® professional and finance adjunct faculty

“The program is "very project-based", where students work through a particular client profile. They learn not just the fundamentals of how, but also how to have the conversations on the potential problems or issues that a client will face.”

Courses & Curriculum

The online finance degree is grounded in core business knowledge, which emphasizes communication, entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, personal and social responsibility, as well as global orientation. The program culminates in a capstone experience that brings the numbers to life as students use cutting-edge technology and case studies to analyze and synthesize financial reporting data.

Courses in the financial planning concentration may include:

  • Advanced Personal Financial Planning
  • Risk Management and Insurance Planning
  • Estate Planning and Taxation
  • Financial Plan Development
  • Federal Taxation I

SNHU's CFP Board-registered BS degree program in finance with a concentration in financial planning has been designed to align with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) undergraduate common professional component standards.

Prepare for CFP® Exam Certification

Curriculum Requirements & Resources

Business Core

Business programs require learners to complete the Business core program, which includes a variety of business-specific courses. This program focuses on 10 core competencies to prepare you for success wherever you go.

General Education

All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.

Technology Resources

We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.

Earn Math Credits

Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment. For additional information, or to register for a Pathways to Math Success assessment, contact your admission counselor or academic advisor today.

University Accreditation

New England Commission of Higher Education Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Tuition & Fees

As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Undergraduate Programs Per Course Per Credit Hour Annual Cost for 30 credits 
Degree/Certificates $960 $320 $9,600
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* $675 $225 $6,750

Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

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