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Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Finance with an Emphasis in Financial Planning is an undergraduate degree program that introduces you to all aspects of personal financial planning. In this comprehensive program, you will examine methodologies and best practices in areas such as risk evaluation, investments and taxes.
This bachelor’s degree program also integrates essential soft skills throughout, including effective communication and professional ethics. A bachelor’s degree can enable students to study financial planning and is typically an entry-level requirement for becoming a financial planner, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1
At GCU, you’ll enjoy academic flexibility, as you can choose to study financial planning online or on campus. This degree program is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) Board registered program that fulfills the CFP® certification education requirement. Earning this undergraduate degree can be the first step toward a career as a financial advisor.
Upon graduation, you will have been provided the necessary knowledge and skills so you can help others plan for their financial future. You’ll also be able to apply what you’ve been taught about financial planning principles and practices to your own personal finances, which may empower you to achieve better peace of mind through wise fiscal decisions.
At GCU, you will be immersed within the Christian worldview via faith-integrated financial planning classes. You will have the opportunity to learn the important role CFP® professionals have in putting the interests of their clients first as they provide competent and ethical financial planning.
Enjoy greater flexibility and convenience while you work toward this BS in Finance degree as an online student. You will have access to GCU’s intuitive and interactive e-learning platform, which allows you to access course materials and enjoy meaningful connections with peers and instructors.
As a graduate of GCU’s emphasis in financial planning, you will meet both parts of the CFP Board’s education requirement, including:2
This BS in Finance: financial planning emphasis program meets the coursework requirement to sit for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM exam — an important step in the path to CFP® certification. CFP® certification is granted solely by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards to individuals who have met ethics, experience and examination requirements, in addition to completing an education requirement such as this CFP Board Registered Program from GCU.
CFP® professionals are strongly satisfied with their career choice in financial planning.3
GCU leads with a Lopes First perspective, embracing a student-centric culture that emphasizes higher purpose, conscious capitalism and academic success.
When you complete your financial advisor schooling, you will be expected to demonstrate cultural competence while working with diverse stakeholders. You are encouraged to respect the cultural, social, personal values and differences of the people with whom you work and serve.
This undergraduate finance program includes comprehensive classes covering topics such as:
In GCU’s financial planning courses, you will explore how to assess clients’ personal current and future financial needs, develop goals, evaluate alternatives and create a comprehensive action plan that’s in alignment with your clients’ values and objectives.
With this degree, you might pursue a range of career opportunities across numerous settings. Consider a career as a planner or an advisor in financial planning firms, banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies or wealth management firms.4
With GCU’s bachelor’s in finance degree, you can be prepared for the following roles in financial services, such as:
• Personal financial planner
• Financial planning analyst
• Financial investment analyst
• Investment manager
• Financial manager
• Credit analyst
• Loan officer
No matter the role, personal financial planners have opportunities to positively impact the lives of people and their families.
Median annual wage for personal financial advisors, as of May 20225
GCU stands by the quality of our education and the comprehensiveness of our curriculum. We are an institutionally accredited university with a focus on supporting students’ success. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The Colangelo College of Business shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Browse through our frequently asked questions to further explore finance-related careers and what it takes to pursue them.
Financial planning is the process of creating a strategic roadmap for an individual’s money based upon their goals. It’s an ongoing, lifelong process that everyone can benefit from, regardless of income or wealth accumulation. Financial planning helps guide people through their financial choices to help them achieve fiscal stability.6
Financial planning is important as it can help people:6
If you’re interested in personal finance and investments, then earning a finance degree may be your ticket to a career you find satisfying in the world of finance, investing, personal financial planning and business. If you’re a hard worker, love to learn and have a passion for problem-solving and analytical thinking, then you may find yourself very satisfied as a finance with an emphasis in financial planning major.
In addition to having a clear understanding of personal financial planning, if you hold a degree in finance, you will be expected to have acquired specific analytical and people skills to be successful. Financial planners tend to possess the following skills and traits:1
The exams that a financial advisor may take depend on their desired certification. GCU’s bachelor's in finance program with an emphasis in financial planning is designed to prepare you with the skills and knowledge necessary to embark on a career in financial planning. It also meets the coursework requirement to sit for the CFP® exam, which is designed to test your ability to apply a range of financial planning knowledge in a diverse range of situations.
Yes, a financial planning career is an excellent choice for those who enjoy developing relationships with individuals and families, acting in clients’ best interest, solving problems and providing guidance. A finance degree can be a great option because it is versatile, offers a variety of financial avenues to explore and may lead to a sense of personal fulfilment when helping clients reach their financial goals. The future of finance is rich with possibilities for those willing to seek and create new opportunities to thrive.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, personal financial advisors have a median annual wage of $95,390 as of May 2022.5
Learn more about earning your Bachelor of Science in Finance with an Emphasis in Financial Planning at GCU.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How To Become A Personal Financial Advisor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Jan. 19, 2024.
2 CFP Board. (n.d.). The Education Requirement. CFP Board. Retrieved Jan. 19, 2024.
3 CFP Board. (2021, Sept. 8). Survey of CFP® Professionals Shows Continued High Satisfaction With Their Career Choice. CFP Board. Retrieved Jan. 19, 2024.
4 Friedberg, B. A. (2022, Oct. 31). Top Places To Work For Financial Advisors. Investopedia. Retrieved Jan. 19, 2024.
5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Personal Financial Advisors as of May 2022. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as personal financial advisors, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
6 Fidelity. (n.d.). What Is Financial Planning? Fidelity. Retrieved Jan. 19, 2024.
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
