Collage of Ohio State Financial Planning students at program events

Financial Planning Programs at The Ohio State University

Pursue an in-demand, yet rewarding, career in financial planning where you help others reach their financial goals. As a Financial Planning minor or Consumer and Family Financial Services major, you’ll be prepared to take the Certified Financial Planner® certification exam upon graduation. You’ll also make valuable connections and gain experiences that will help you stand out to employers upon graduation.

Two degree options

Learn more about course CFP® requirements

Ohio State students in a meeting room listening to a presentation about financial services
Financial Planning Minor

A great option for Finance or Econ Majors who would like to enter the field of Financial Planning/Wealth Management. Speak with your academic advisor or Dr. Loibl to confirm course requirements.

Read more about Financial Planning Minor
OSU Financial Planning LinkedIn

Join the LinkedIn page for Ohio State Financial Planning. 

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Financial Planning Program News

Autumn 2024

  • Two Ohio State financial planning students -- Ryan Arp and Blake Grisvard - were awarded Schwab Advisor Services, 2024 RIA Talent Advantage Student Scholarships! (August)
  • Financial planning faculty and staff participated and recruited students at the Student Involvement Fair on the Oval. (August)
  • Ohio State Financial Planning students Daniel Buehrer, Andrew Hosbach, and Arpita Patel placed 3rd in the national FPA Financial Planning Association competition! (September)
  • 530 students and 55 employers actively participated in our "Finance x Financial Planning Career Fair"! (September)
  • OSU financial planning students and faculty/staff attended, participated, and made an academic presentation at the CFP® Board Connections Conference in Washington, DC.(September/October)
  • OSU financial planning student leaders and faculty attended the Schwab IMPACT Conference in San Francisco. (November)
  • 27 local financial advisors volunteered to mentor financial planning students through the "Financial Planning Community Project". (year-long)
  • 29 financial advisors co-lectured in CSCFFS 3260 "Fundamentals of Financial Planning" classes.

Spring 2025 and beyond

  • New course offered, CFP® Exam Preparation (CSCFFS 5193) to prepare students for March 2025 Exam!
  • New course offered, Series 65 Investment Advisor Law Exam (CSCFFS 5160).
  • Approved for summer Financial Planning Academy for high school students, 1 of 4 universities nationwide selected to host. Funded by Schwab Advisor Services, through Texas Tech University. (June 23-27)

Want to know more about the Financial Planning Profession?

Please join us at the OSU Student Financial Planning Association (Student FPA). For more information please contact osufpa@gmail.com.

Website

LinkedIn

FisherU

According to U.S. News, the financial advisor career is among the best business jobs, and best-paying jobs, with thousands of projected job openings in the upcoming years. 

Where do you even start?

Love entrepreneurship? Did you know you could start an independent financial advisory firm one day? Check out the XY Planning Network:
XYPN Radio / Resources / Blog

What could a career in financial planning look like?

Ohio State Financial Planning Program

CFP Board requires 7 courses for Ohio State students:

  1. CSCFFS 3260: Fundamentals of Financial Planning
  2. CSCFFS 4260: Family Tax Planning
  3. CSCFFS 4280: Estate Planning
  4. CSCFFS 5250: Retirement Planning
  5. BUSFIN 3222: Foundations of Investments or BUSFIN 4221 (if Fisher student)
  6. BUSFIN 3300: Principles of Insurance
  7. CSCFFS 5260: Family Financial Management Application capstone

CFP Exam:

  1. Must have passed the 7 courses. Reach out to Dr. Loibl to have your coursework verified to the CFP Board prior to taking the exam
  2. Must complete a Bachelor’s degree with in 5 years from date of exam passing Education requirement

Other CFP Board approved education providers:

  • For students who are not able to complete all 7 courses at Ohio State
  • Several hundred online programs; enroll only for the courses that you didn’t complete at Ohio State; costs vary widely, up to $1,000/course; public institutions usually lower priced
  • Learn more

Make sure to register in the CFP Board Candidate Forum

Register here

New this coming Autumn semester, Autumn 2024:

  • Offer this capstone course CSCFFS 5260 in person, taught by a local CFP professional
  • Study group with Dr. Loibl to sit for the CFP Exam in March 2025

CFP® marks after your name once you:

  • Complete the coursework, earn a bachelor’s degree
  • Pass the CFP exam
  • Work for 6,000 hours in the field (close to 3 years)
  • Fulfill candidate ethics requirements, including background checks