Dec 06, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Financial Planning and Wealth Management Undergraduate Certificate

Location(s): In-person/hybrid


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The Certificate in Financial Planning and Wealth Management is designed to equip students with specialized knowledge and skills essential for success in the financial planning industry. As the complexities of personal finance continue to expand, so does the demand for skilled financial planners. This certificate offers students a direct path to becoming an expert in financial wellness, preparing them not only for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) examination but also setting them up for a successful career in this dynamic industry. The curriculum is aligned with the latest industry standards and will prepare students to develop into a highly qualified professional ready to tackle the challenges of the financial planning industry.

The program is designed with several key intentions that align with its philosophy. First and foremost, we strive for academic excellence by offering a curriculum that adheres to the CFP Board’s standards, thereby preparing graduates for the CFP examination. Concurrently, we aim to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the financial planning industry to ensure curriculum relevance and to facilitate student access to valuable networking and internship opportunities. Inclusivity and diversity are also pillars of our program; we endeavor to foster an inclusive educational environment that reflects the diverse clientele our graduates will serve. Community engagement is another focal point, as we encourage students to apply their acquired skills in practical settings through community service and partnerships with local organizations. Lastly, the program is committed to a cycle of continuous improvement, regularly updating its offerings based on feedback from students, faculty, and industry professionals to meet the highest standards of academic and professional excellence.

Learn

Participants in the certificate program will engage with a focused curriculum that encompasses key areas crucial to effective financial planning. The coursework includes Wealth Management, Estate Planning, Risk and Insurance, Investment Strategies, and Tax Planning. Students will develop expertise in subjects such as asset allocation, retirement income strategies, estate tax considerations, adherence to ethical standards in the financial planning industry, and in the development of complete and thorough financial plans. The curriculum is aligned with the CFP certification requirements, ensuring that all participants are thoroughly prepared to undertake the CFP examination upon completion.

Opportunities

Earning a certificate in Financial Planning and Wealth Management opens a wide array of career paths in a rapidly growing sector. Certificate holders are primed to assume roles as financial advisors, wealth managers, estate planners, and insurance consultants. The program’s connections within the financial planning community provide ample networking opportunities, as well as potential avenues for internships and employment. Achieving CFP certification through this program can significantly elevate one’s career trajectory, enhancing earning potential and job stability. Graduates will possess the practical, client-focused skills necessary for effective client interactions and will be wellequipped to navigate the changing tides of the financial planning landscape.

Department Information


Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems 403 Hill Hall, 734.487.3320 

Charles E. Teague III, PhD, Department Head

Advisor Information


College of Business Academic Services (Make an Appointment), 1 Hill Hall, 734.487.2344

Critical Graduation Information


Students pursuing an undergraduate certificate in conjunction with a baccalaureate degree must declare this using the major/minor declaration form Students not pursuing an undergraduate certificate in conjunction with a baccalaureate degree must apply to the certificate program through the Office of Admissions

 

The following are the minimum requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate:

An undergraduate certificate may only be offered in conjunction with or subsequent to a baccalaureate degree. They cannot be ‘stand-alone’ certificates offered to students who are not pursuing or do not have a previously earned bachelor’s degree. The certificate will be awarded upon university or community college. education requirements. . graduation for students pursuing an undergraduate certificate concurrent with a bachelor’s degree. An undergraduate certificate will consist of a minimum of six credits at the 300-level or above, all of which must be taken at EMU. Prerequisite or lower-level coursework may be transferred from another

Credits used to satisfy certificate course requirements cannot also satisfy major, minor, or general An undergraduate certificate must require a minimum of 15 credit hours.

Certificate Requirement: 21 hours


Prerequisite Requirement: 6 hours


If these courses have not been completed before, the student is required to complete them.

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