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Program Description
The field of financial planning is growing exponentially, and as a result, the demand for financial planners who assist individuals in planning for their financial future, has greatly increased. This 30-credit financial planning degree, offered by the NYU SPS Division of Programs in Business, is certified by the Financial Planner (CFP®) Board of Standards and prepares students for financial planning jobs in private practice, as well as in settings such as banks, investment firms, and wealth management firms. As large numbers of financial planners retire, a financial advisor career will become a path that can provide a competitive salary as well as great satisfaction in helping others. In fact, US News and World Report ranks financial planning among the best business jobs and best-paying jobs (12/2020). The Master of Science in Financial Planning offers all of the benefits, resources, and prestige of earning your degree at NYU, while building financial planning and analysis skills that prepare you for a lucrative career.
Admissions
Admission to master’s programs at the NYU School of Professional Studies requires the completion of a U.S. bachelor's degree or its international equivalent. Admissions decisions are made through a holistic review process. Visit the SPS Admissions website for detailed application requirements and deadlines.
Program Requirements
This is a 30-credit program of study that requires completion of the core curriculum, a concentration, and a capstone course.
Concentrations
There are two concentrations offered in the program: Financial Analytics and Behavioral Finance. You can learn more about each concentration by clicking below.
Financial Analytics
The Financial Analytics concentration is designed for students interested in leveraging complex data to solve financial planning challenges and enhance process efficiency. With the rapid advancements in FinTech and AI, coupled with the increasing accessibility of big data and sophisticated analytical tools, students will be uniquely prepared to make meaningful contributions across diverse areas of financial planning. Their ability to acquire and analyze vast amounts of data will empower them to drive informed decision-making and innovation in the field.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| 9 |
| Applied Statistics | |
| Personal Finance Analytics | |
| Investment Data Analytics | |
| Special Topic | |
| Internship | |
Behavioral Finance
The Behavioral Finance concentration equips students with advanced training to create a more effective client-centered practice by leveraging the insights from psychology, behavioral finance, and social work. Students will gain expertise in applying evidence-based structural models to manage client relationships effectively and address financial behaviors that may challenge clients’ financial well-being. Additionally, they will deepen their understanding of the biases, behaviors, and perceptions that influence client decision-making and financial planning.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| 9 |
| Applied Behavioral Finance | |
| Money and Relationships | |
| Communication for the Professional Engagement | |
| Special Topic | |
| Internship | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Apply principal core concepts.
- Recommend strategies to help clients meet their financial objectives.
- Analyze financial data and contextual variables in creating financial plans.
- Develop effective communication skills for establishing and maintaining productive relationships with clients.
- Evaluate the contemporary issues facing the financial planning industry research and practice.
- Assess client needs, goals, and situational factors to determine the scope of the financial planning engagement.
- Integrate the core components that comprise a cohesive financial plan in a wide array of financial planning engagements.
- Demonstrate ethical decision-making abilities in financial planning in accordance with the financial planning code of ethics.
Policies
Internship Course Policy
Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to apply for the internship course.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
School of Professional Studies Policies
Additional academic policies can be found on the School of Professional Studies academic policy page.