College for Financial Planning Online Master's Degree Programs
Pursue your passion and advance your career with the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company. With multiple start dates, our online master’s degree programs give you the flexibility to achieve your next education goals.
Financial Analysis
Dedicated to the advanced study of financial analysis and to developing financial analysis and investment management professionals, the Master of Science in Financial Analysis (MSFA) offers two distinct pathways for students to tailor their educational experience based on their prior educational preparation:
- Traditional Pathway: As part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, coursework in this pathway is aligned with the learning outcomes of the CFA® program, offering students dual preparation for a degree and a designation.
- CFA Charterholder Pathway: This pathway is suited for individuals who hold the CFA Charter or have passed all three CFA exam levels. It builds on existing knowledge, enabling them to complete their degree in a more accelerated timeframe.
Personal Financial Planning
The Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning (MS-PFP) program begins with the core disciplines of financial planning before exploring advanced topic areas that go beyond traditional education programs. As a CFP Board Registered Program, our graduate degree automatically fulfills the education requirements for CFP® certification.
The program offers two distinct pathways for students based on their area of interest:
- Traditional Pathway: This pathway allows students to select from a variety of elective courses to fulfill the program’s elective requirements.
- Client Psychology and Communication Pathway: This pathway structures the elective courses to provide students with a more detailed understanding of behavioral finance, client psychology, and improved communication skills
Why Earn Your Master’s Degree with the College for Financial Planning?
Skills & Recognition
A master’s degree shows you have reached a high level of expertise. Whether you are interested in a graduate degree in financial analysis or personal financial planning, the degree is immediately recognizable to both clients and firms.
Deep Knowledge to Sit for the CFA, CAIA or CFP® Exam
Master of Science in Financial Analysis (MSFA)
Students who pursue the Traditional Pathway of the MSFA program gain a deep understanding of financial analysis that is required for the CFA examination process to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charter. As part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, the Traditional Pathway is recognized by CFA Institute as embedding at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge™ (CBOK) from the CFA Program into our curricula.
In addition, a unique portion of the MSFA program includes some of the CAIA Charter exam curriculum, assisting you in your studies for the CAIA exam.
Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning (MS-PFP)
The Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning is a CFP Board Registered Program. Our graduate degree automatically fulfills education requirements for CFP® certification to sit for the national CFP® exam.
Stackable Credits
Master of Science in Financial Analysis (MSFA)
If you hold a financial designation or license, or have successfully completed certain courses at the College for Financial Planning, you may qualify for prior learning credit toward our Master of Science in Financial Analysis (MSFA) program.
Individuals who hold the CFA Charter or have passed all three CFA exam levels, and who are interested in continuing their education in financial analysis and investment management, are eligible for the CFA Charterholder Pathway of the MSFA program. Individuals pursuing the CFA Charterholder Pathway are granted 9 credit hours for prior learning, enabling them to complete their degree in a more accelerated timeframe.
Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning (MS-PFP)
Already a CFP® professional?
If you completed your required education for CFP® certification through the College, you may qualify for up to 15 hours of transfer credit toward the Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning program, which could put you halfway toward earning your master’s degree.
If you hold the CFP® certification and completed your required education elsewhere, you may be eligible for up to 9 credits.
For more information on transfer credits, please see the College Catalog or contact us.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company’s programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
CFA®, Chartered Financial Analyst®, and CFA Institute logo are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. CFA Institute is the administrator of the CFA Program and the grantor of the CFA designation.