The Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning and Wealth Management is designed to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the field of financial planning and wealth management. The program develops knowledge of the industry’s financial, accounting, taxation, and regulatory environments, as well as the art of relationship management and the importance of individual client differences.

Admission

Students may begin the program in any semester, as space permits. Applications for summer or fall admission must be received by March 15. Applications for spring admission must be received by October 1.

To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must:

1. submit a completed application packet to the Director of the program, available on the program Web site.
2. take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and have the scores submitted to the program Director. The GMAT test must be taken not more than five years or the GRE not more than two years prior to the submission of the application for admission to the program. Current Michigan State University students with an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher are not required to take the GMAT or GRE.

The minimum standards for admission to the program are:

1. a bachelor's degree from a recognized educational institution with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0.
2. completion of the following prerequisite courses, or their equivalents at MSU or at another institution:
   1. an introduction to accounting
   2. probability and statistics
3. a strong GMAT/GRE score. Students with qualifying credentials may be able to waive the GMAT/GRE requirement. Applicants should consult with the program Director to see if they are eligible for the waiver.

Admission to the program is competitive and subject to space availability. The program accepts qualified applicants whose undergraduate degree is not in business or finance.

Meeting the minimum standards listed above does not guarantee admission. The applicant’s overall record is considered including letters of recommendation, the student’s statement of objectives, any relevant work experience, extra-curricular activities, and TOEFL or IELTS scores when appropriate. 

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning and Wealth Management

Students must complete 18 credits from the following:
FI	801	Managerial Finance							3
FI	830	Introduction to Financial Planning and Wealth Management							3
FI	832	Principles of Insurance and Risk Management							3
FI	836	Estate and Income Tax Planning							3
FI	838	Advanced Financial Planning and Wealth Management							3
FI	850	Introduction to Investments I							1.5
FI	851	Introduction to Investments II							1.5
Other classes may be used to fulfill these requirements with department approval. Students that are continuing their education at MSU may substitute up to 9 credits in their program from equivalent 400-level courses in Finance taken in their undergraduate program. The department maintains a list of course equivalencies for courses in the Department of Finance.

Academic Standards

Students who are enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning and Wealth Management program are expected to maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 each semester, as well as a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0. A student who does not maintain a 3.0 grade-point cumulative average will be placed on probation. Such a student will be given the next semester of enrollment to achieve a 3.0 grade-point cumulative average, otherwise, dismissal from the program will result.

The Program Director is responsible for monitoring the progress of students who are enrolled in the program. A policy statement containing additional information relative to academic standards is available from the Director.