Frequently asked questions for Double Dawgs in Financial Planning
- Which track should I choose?
- Can I take both tracks?
- Which graduate courses should I take first?
- I would like to take or need to take FHCE 5205S/7205S: Practicum in Financial Planning, when can I enroll?
- I see that there are financial planning courses online? Can I enroll in those online courses?
- I would like to take a certain class in the fall, but I do not see that it is offered. What do I do?
- Can I take more than 12 graduate credit hours as an undergraduate student?
- What is the difference between undergraduate and graduate-level courses?
- Which track should I choose?
Two tracks exist within the financial planning master’s program: (a) traditional financial planning and (b) behavioral financial planning/financial therapy. The choice of track depends on career goals, what you hope to get out of a master’s program, and if you plan to work with clients.
- Can I take both tracks?
Yes. You can pursue both tracks but it will require 12 additional credit hours, which is only 4 (3-credit hours) additional courses.
- Which graduate courses should I take first?
Identify which undergraduate core financial planning courses you have already taken and the courses you still need to take. Compare the courses you need to take to the courses required in your chosen track. Then, review the suggested sequence of courses. This is not a one size fits all sequence, so identify the courses that will count for both undergraduate credit and graduate-level credit. Remember that the electives listed in the behavioral financial planning track can be core financial planning courses.
- I would like to take or need to take FHCE 5205S/7205S: Practicum in Financial Planning, when can I enroll?
Every student interested in taking Practicum in Financial Planning will need to complete an application that will be sent out to all Financial Planning students toward the end of the semester. This course is an excellent course to gain hands-on experience working with real clients. Because we have limited seating in the Practicum in Financial Planning course, students will enroll based on priority. For example, this course is required for students in Behavioral Financial Planning/Financial Therapy students; therefore, students who are in this track will receive first priority.
- I see that there are financial planning courses online? Can I enroll in those online courses?
No. Online courses (marked with an E at the end of the course number) are designated for students who are enrolled in the online Master’s in Financial Planning cohort program. The only course that on-campus students can take online is the Behavioral Economics course that is only offered online in the summer.
- I would like to take a certain class in the fall, but I do not see that it is offered. What do I do?
Graduate-level courses are offered one time per year, which makes planning for when you will take courses important.
- Can I take more than 12 graduate credit hours as an undergraduate student?
As a student in the Double Dawgs pathway, you can take more than 12 hours of graduate-level credit as an undergraduate student. However, ONLY 12 hours will count for both undergraduate and graduate credit. More than 12 hours of graduate-level credit will count toward the Master’s degree.
- What is the difference between undergraduate and graduate-level courses?
Both undergraduate and graduate core financial planning courses meet the same requirements for CFP Board. The expectations for Graduate-level courses are higher with additional reading and course assignments with the intention that you will go more in-depth. Graduate-level courses tend to be much smaller than undergraduate-level courses and therefore each student is expected to contribute to course discussion. In addition, graduate students are expected to read the department’s graduate handbook to be familiar with policies and procedures. Graduate students are also expected to be more independent than undergraduate students as the advising structure is different.