Financial Planning

Undergraduate Certificate

The certificate in Financial Planning will provide coursework in all the Principal Knowledge Domain and Topics of the CFP exam, which covers general principles of financial planning, investments, risk and insurance, taxes and estate planning, rules, ethics, and psychology in financial planning, as well as additional topics.

Why choose Financial Planning?

• Purpose & Impact – Help clients achieve life goals while building lifelong relationships.
• Work-Life Balance – Enjoy flexibility with opportunity to manage career and personal goals.
• High Earnings Potential – Median $185,000/year; CFP® professionals earn 13% more. * *CFP Board
• Strong Career Demand – 10% job growth through 2034; shortage of 100,000+ advisors. * *CFP Board

Why Choose the Lubar College program?

• Dedicated Faculty Director
• Coming in Fall 2026 – Financial Planning lab in Lubar Hall
• Experiential learning

You may also be interested in:
BBA – Finance
Investment Management Certificate
MS – Finance Analysis

Financial Planning Certificate (21 credits)

Required Courses:

ACT SCI 290 Introduction to Actuarial Science
BUS ADM 305 Personal Investing and Financial Planning
BUS ADM 306 Personal Tax and Estate Planning
BUS ADM 350 Principles of Finance*
BUS ADM 352 Fundamentals of Working with Clients, Professional Conduct, and Regulations
BUS ADM 452 Applied Portfolio Management
BUS ADM 488 CFP Capstone: Financial Plan Development

* A student can complete BUS ADM 350 as a sophomore even though it is an upper-level (300) course. Students must earn a C or better in BUS ADM 350 to enroll in BUS ADM 452. Accounting majors complete BUS ADM 301 Intermediate Accounting with a B or better. BUS ADM 301 is a 4-credit course, so the certificate for accounting majors is 22 credits.

What You’ll Learn:

• Financial planning fundamentals
• Retirement income planning
• Investment planning
• Risk and insurance planning
• Tax and estate planning
• Behavioral finance
• Ethics and regulation

Financial planning offers diverse career opportunities, allowing you to help individuals and families build, manage, and protect their financial futures.

• Associate Advisor – Supports advisors by preparing financial plans and client materials.
• Personal Financial Planner – Develops comprehensive financial plans for clients.
• Client Services Advisor – Assists with plan implementation and client follow-up.
• Wealth Management Advisor – Works with high-net-worth clients on investment strategies.
• Financial Analyst – Conducts research and analysis on investments and financial strategies.
• Insurance Officer – Protecting wealth of clients through advising on insurance products.
• Tax Planner – Helps individuals and families develop strategies to manage taxes and improve long-term financial outcomes.

Career Outlook

• 90,000–110,000 Potential shortage of financial advisors by 2034.*
• 30–37% Projected gap relative to the current advisor workforce.*
  • *Source: McKinsey & Company, “The Looming Advisor Shortage in U.S. Wealth Management” (2024)
• 46% of financial advisors plan to retire within 10 years.*
• 26% of advisors are already age 65 or older.*
• The industry is approaching a “talent crisis” as retirements rise and demand for financial advice grows.*
  • *J.D. Power – U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study (2025)

Current Lubar Undergraduate Students: 

Open to all current Lubar students. Please schedule an advising appointment with your assigned Lubar Advisor through Navigate360 or by calling our office at 414-229-5271 to declare the certificate and discuss program requirements.

Current UWM Undergraduate Students (non-Business Majors): 

Open to current UWM students starting in Fall of 2026. Please schedule an advising appointment by contacting our office at 414-229-5271 to declare the certificate and discuss program requirements.

Non-UWM Students/community members:

Learn more about the process or begin your application at apply.wisconsin.edu. Sign in or create an account. 

Graduation Requirements:

Students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 in the Certificate in Financial Planning courses and a B- or better in the capstone class to earn the Certificate in Financial Planning as good technical skills are needed to be a good financial planner.

Students have the option to complete one or more certificates in conjunction with BBA majors. No more than 50% of each certificate’s credits may double count towards BBA Core or Major requirements.

The Certificate in Financial Planning can be completed in one calendar year, but 18 months is acceptable with the Financial Plan Development (CFP Capstone) course taking place after the prior learning is completed. The standalone certificate must be completed in 2.5 years.