A Concentration in Financial Planning

The concentration in Financial Planning consists of four courses taken in addition to the required MBA courses. These courses are: Financial Planning, Investments and Portfolio Management, Fundamentals of Risk Management and Retirement Planning, Income Taxation and Fundamentals of Estate Planning. As with the HR Concentration, these four courses may be taken as a concentration to the MBA degree or separately as a special non-degree seeking student. Students who complete the concentration courses will be prepared to sit for the exam to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Individuals who complete the concentration and/or have achieved the certification will be equipped to provide personalized services to clients and maintain high levels of financial planning professionalism and expertise. As with all of the MBA courses, the class times are geared toward working professionals, with traditional classes offered in the evenings and on weekends. Additionally, the courses for the concentration are offered on-line, to accommodate most schedules.

Financial Planning Concentration Course Descriptions

BUSN 5381: Financial Planning

This course provides an overview of the financial planning process, including communication techniques, ethics, risk tolerance, time-value-of-money concepts, financial planning applications, regulatory issues and the legal and economic environment for financial planning. Students will gain an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the financial planner, along with some analytical skills to aid in financial decision making.

BUSN 5382: Investments and Portfolio Management

This course covers various aspects of the principles of investments and their application to financial planning. Students will learn risk analysis and risk and return computations. They will study stocks, bonds, investment companies, options and future contracts. The course includes an extended discussion of tax issues in the practice of portfolio management, including strategic and tactical asset allocation. Many examples of ethical and practical issues in managing a client’s portfolio will be discussed.

BUSN 5383: Fundamentals of Risk Management and Retirement Planning

This course focuses on the role of financial planning for insurance needs. It covers the basic concepts in risk management and insurance, insurance industry operations, legal principles pertaining to this industry, and regulations of insurers. Students will examine social insurance, life insurance and annuities, medical and disability income insurance, long-term care insurance, and personal property and liability insurance. The course also focuses on selecting the right retirement plan for the business and on individual retirement planning.

BUSN 5384: Income Taxation and Fundamentals of Estate Planning

This course examines the federal income tax system with particular reference to the taxation of individuals. It covers such topics as gross income, exclusions from gross income, deductions, tax credit, capital gains and losses, taxation of life insurance and annuities, and income taxation of partners, partnerships, corporations, and shareholders. The course also covers aspects of estate and gift tax planning, including the nature, valuation, transfer, administration, and taxation of personal property. Students will gain a basic understanding of the estate and gift tax system, including strategies of estate planning.