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Family Financial Planning – Master’s

Family Financial Planning

Approach finances from a human perspective. Learn how to center someone’s personal values and priorities with their family finances. Take the next step with Family Financial Planning.

At a Glance

30

Total Credits

$622*

Cost Per Credit
*Tuition and fee rates subject to change

1.5 years+

Time to Complete

Step into a fulfilling career in personal finance

Our financial lives are more complicated than risk assessment, tax strategy, and investment analysis. We combine financial knowledge with principles from psychology and human development to help people set financial goals based on what’s important to them.

People have complex feelings and relationships with personal finances, shaped by a range of factors. The curriculum helps you learn to identify clients’ thoughts and perceptions by role-playing. It bridges the gap by teaching you how to apply financial analysis, projections, and tax strategies ethically to meet personal and financial goals.

The program is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency

For specific program requirements, visit the Graduate College website.

Online Program Application

Currently, the College of Health and Human Sciences is offering up to $1,800* in scholarship funding for students who enroll in the 2026-2027 academic year. Following admission to the program, students are eligible for a $600 scholarship. As students progress through the program, they may apply for scholarships at the midpoint (12-18 credit) and final (24-30) credits.

*Restrictions may apply to ISU employees

Dr. Jonathan Fox, PhD
Faculty Adviser
1317 Palmer
515-294-6993
jjfox@iastate.edu

The online master’s degree in Family Financial Planning consists of 30 credit hours, including 18 credits of core coursework and 12 credits of electives. Review the Schedule of Classes to see when courses are offered and plan your path.

  • Core Courses
    Build a strong foundation in personal income taxation, estate planning, retirement planning, financial counseling, and other essential financial planning principles.
  • Elective Courses
    Customize your degree by exploring areas such as real estate, professional practices, military personal finance, and communication in financial planning.
  • Capstone Course
    Apply what you’ve learned by developing a comprehensive personal financial plan that demonstrates mastery of key financial planning concepts.

Gilda Figueroa
Campus Coordinator
2624 Howe Hall
515-294-7471
idea@iastate.edu

Damara Parra

This program has enhanced my ability to lead my team by deepening my expertise in complex financial concepts. It indeed marks the beginning of a new phase of my professional life.

Damara Parra

Why Family Financial Planning?

  • $102,000

    average national salary

  • 2x

    job growth than average

  • 24,000+

    job openings in the next 10 years

    Considered a Bright Outlook occupation by the BLS

Career Path Opportunities

Personal financial adviser has been named a “Bright Outlook Occupation” by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This degree opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities with top banking, insurance, or brokerage companies, leading in employee benefits and pension departments or building your own practice.

  • Estate and retirement planning
  • Investment advising
  • Insurance and risk management
  • Basic cash flow and debt management
  • Employee benefits and pension departments
  • Tax planning

Interested in learning about job opportunities for certified financial planners? Learn about them on the Certified Financial Planner job board.

Collaborative Advantage of IDEA

IDEA, An Online Higher Education Alliance

Achieve your personal and professional goals through convenient, flexible, high-quality coursework you can complete anytime, anywhere. As a student in Iowa State University’s Family Financial Planning Master’s program, you will learn from expert faculty who bring real-life experience to the coursework and are committed to helping you transition your learning beyond the online classroom into your career.

The Family Financial Planning Master’s program is part of a consortium of universities connected through IDEA. While Iowa State University is your home university where you will apply, register for courses and receive your diploma, you’ll benefit from the broad perspectives and unique strengths brought by classmates and expert faculty at partner universities.

Learn more about the IDEA program at Iowa State.

A flexible online experience, designed intentionally for you.

With Iowa State’s online programs, your career never has to wait. Gain the same high-quality education and industry-focused knowledge as on campus programs, guided by expert professors preparing you for your next.

Woman walking on a sidewalk next to a glass paned building

Take the next step

Anything is possible at Iowa State University with innovative academic programs, hands-on research opportunities, and globally recognized scholars to support you every step of the way.