Finance
Personal Financial Planning concentration
Certified Financial Planner® Exam
Image of Trust Point Foundation logoThe Trust Point Personal Financial Planning Program is an official CFP® Board-registered program. With this program, students will be qualified to take the CFP® exam upon graduation, eliminating the need for any further educational training.
See us in the news! Salary & Statistics
Why get certified? CFP Exam Requirements
Trust Point Sponsorship
Trust Point is a wealth management institution which has serviced the La Crosse community for over 100 years. In collaboration with the University Wisconsin-La Crosse, the Trust Point Foundation has pledged $90,000 over the next three years to establish the Trust Point Personal Financial Planning program. This plan aims to support CBA students in the new Personal Financial Planning program. Read more below:
A Financial Assist - Trust Point Partnership
UWL and Trust Point Launch Partnership - WXOW
Nonprofit Financial Advisers Group Donates 90K to UW-La Crosse Finance Program - La Crosse Tribune
Personal Finance Application Requirements
College of Business Administration (CBA) core requirements
As with any CBA program, all students enrolled in the Personal Financial Planning program are required to complete the following:
- College of Business (CBA) core courses
- To be able to register for FIN 355, the following must be satisfied:
- A grade of "C" or better in ACC 221, ACC 222, BLAW 205, ECO 110, ECO 120, ENG 110/ENG 112, MTH 160/MTH 175/MTH 207, and STAT 145/STAT 245;
- Students must have at least 54 credits or higher earned (or in progress).
Admission to program
As required by the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) board, students must successfully graduate with the concentration to become eligible to sit for the CFP® exam. The formal application allows us to record students' intention to join the program, track their progress, and report their completion formally to the CFP® Board. Ultimately, students will be able to register for the national exam offered by CFP® Board.
Students should apply to this program using the application listed below when they enroll in FIN 355. The deadline to apply to the program and graduate within the next two semesters is the midterm date of the semester students take FIN 355 (or the prior semester if enrolled in FIN 355 in the winter or summer term).
To be admitted to the program, the student must earn a "C" or better in FIN 355 and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA (with all the CBA core courses completed at the time of application). Conditional admittance will be granted for those who have registered for FIN 355 but have yet to complete it.
Please note that we cannot guarantee that students will be able to complete all their coursework (including the CBA core courses and 120 required university credits) within a year of acceptance into the program, only that they will be given registration priority to the eight courses listed below.
Complete the following eight courses
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
ACC 303 |
Tax Planning |
3 |
|
FIN 363 |
Insurance Planning |
3 |
|
FIN 370 |
Corporation Finance |
3 |
|
FIN 380 |
Principles of Investment |
3 |
|
FIN 390 |
Financial Markets and Institutions |
3 |
|
FIN 408 |
Retirement Planning |
3 |
|
FIN 409 |
Estate Planning |
3 |
|
FIN 460 |
Case Studies in Financial Planning |
3 |
|
Total Credits |
24 |
|
Students planning on completing the program within a year of their admission into the program must complete the capstone course (FIN 460) in their second semester, and the prerequisites for the capstone – FIN 363, FIN 380, and FIN 408 - must be completed in the first semester. All other courses – ACC 303, FIN 370, FIN 390, and FIN 409 - could be completed in either semester.
Application
- Students may declare the Personal Financial Planning Major at any time, but will need to complete the application to graduate with this concentration.
- Need to be currently enrolled or have completed FIN 355 to apply.
- For graduation in Fall 2025 the application deadline is October 21, 2024.
Personal Financial Planning Program Concentration Application for Fall 2025
Scholarships
Stay tuned...
Advice from Finance Majors
Johnny Komppa - May 2022 Graduate, Finance & Economics Major
"Prioritize getting to know both your professors and peers outside of the classroom. Oftentimes this results in meaningful friendships or relationships that could benefit your career in the future. Always take the opportunity to have a conversation with somebody who has been in your shoes."
Benjamin Hendel – May 2022 Graduate, Finance Major
"Be vulnerable to your classmates and teachers by asking a lot of questions. Everyone shares different perspectives, and you will learn a lot from each other once you make the effort. Prioritize gaining experience through internships and jobs during your four years. You will learn so much, and it will make you stand out when applying for jobs after graduation."
Rachel Rendall – May 2023 (expected) Graduate, Risk, Insurance, and Financial Planning Major
“Get involved as much as you can! Anything from joining business clubs or simply going to your professors' office hours can help you make some of the best connections with likeminded students and faculty. You may even find yourself acting as an executive member of a club and gaining valuable friendships and experience in the process!”
Emily Otto – May 2022 Graduate, Finance Major
"Visit your academic advisor, go to office hours, and utilize tutoring resources. There are so many opportunities available to help you succeed, take advantage of them! Also, you don't have to be perfect but always try your best. In the end, you'll make yourself very proud!"