Graduate Studies Program. Policies & Procedures

Transcription

1 Graduate Studies Program Policies & Procedures Effective

2 2015, College for Financial Planning, all rights reserved. This publication may not be duplicated in any way without the express written consent of the publisher. The information contained herein is for the personal use of the reader and may not be incorporated in any commercial programs, other books, databases, or any kind of software or any kind of electronic media including, but not limited to, any type of digital storage mechanism without written consent of the publisher or authors. Making copies of this material or any portion for any purpose other than your own is a violation of United States copyright laws. The College for Financial Planning does not certify individuals to use the CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, and federally registered CFP (with flame logo) certification marks. CFP certification is granted only by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, and federally registered CFP (with flame logo), which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFA institute does not endorse, promote, or warrant the accuracy or quality of the College for Financial Planning. CFA and Chartered Financial Analyst are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. At the College s discretion, news, updates, and information regarding changes/updates to courses or programs may be posted to the College s website at or you may call the Student Services Center at

3 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Chapter 1: Goals of the Graduate Studies Program... 3 Chapter 2: Expectations of Students... 5 Student Conduct... 6 Chapter 3: Graduate Degree Program Course Requirements10 Degree Requirements for the Master of Science (MS) Degree, Personal Financial Planning Major Degree Requirements for the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Degree Chapter 4: Graduate Designation & Certificate Program Course Requirements Master Planner Advanced Studies (MPAS) Designation Personal Financial Planning Graduate Certificate Portfolio Management for Financial Planners Graduate Certificate Retirement Planning Graduate Certificate Estate Planning Graduate Certificate Economics Graduate Certificate Financial Analysis Graduate Certificate Portfolio Management for Financial Advisors Graduate Certificate Credit for Earning a College for Financial Planning Designation Chapter 5: Admission to the Graduate Studies Program Admission Requirements The Application Process Official Transcripts International Students Criteria for Readmission... 36

4 Chapter 6: Accepting Courses and Credits as Transfer Credit Transfer of Graduate-Level Courses from Other Institutions Transfer of Equivalent Financial Planning Courses from Other Institutions College for Financial Planning Courses and Exams Credit Transfer Process Waiver Chapter 7: Student Progress Advising Add/Drop Period Course Enrollment Status Program Admission Status Chapter 8: Grading Grading Policy Calculation of Grade Credit Hours Multiple grades of C+/C Grade Appeals Chapter 9: Graduate Studies Program Courses First Course Enrollment After Program Admission Continuous Enrollment Course Descriptions Course Tuition and Fees Course Prerequisites Course Load Course Re-enrollment/Repeating a Course to Raise a Grade Course Sessions... 49

5 Thesis Course PFP Capstone Course Finance Capstone Courses Completion of a Graduate Degree or Certificate Program.. 54 Earning a Graduate Certificate Earning a Second Degree Chapter 10: Scholarship Programs Loren Dunton Merit Scholarship Military Master s Degree Scholarships... 57

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7 Introduction This document contains changes in policy since the last revision and is not a historical document cataloging all past changes, but a snapshot of the policies as of the date of revision. Outside of this policies and procedures document, the College reserves the right to change policies and procedures at any time, with careful consideration. Introduction 1

8 2 Policies & Procedures

9 Chapter 1: Goals of the Graduate Studies Program The College s Graduate Studies Program mission is as follows: The Graduate Studies Program at the College for Financial Planning is a leader in developing financial professionals through higher learning and quality student experiences, focusing on critical thinking, ethics, and lifelong learning. The aim of the College s Graduate Studies Program is to develop highly competent financial professionals. Students must demonstrate mastery of the learning objectives within the program of study. To achieve this assessment, the College s faculty uses a wide range of assessment strategies. Students who have completed a graduate degree at the College for Financial Planning will have competence in the following areas: Subject-Area Knowledge and Skills The student will develop competencies in the terms, concepts, theories, practical tools, and quantitative and qualitative techniques of the subject area. In addition, the student will develop advanced research skills. Critical Thinking The student will demonstrate competencies in analyzing arguments and issues; in developing logical reasoning patterns; and in understanding and challenging assumptions, biases, and weak or unsound arguments. In addition, the student will demonstrate competencies in evaluating methods and materials, and emerging issues in and important contributions to the subject area. Problem Solving The student will demonstrate competencies in recognizing and defining a problem; in generating a variety of solutions; and in selecting appropriate alternatives after consideration of applicable facts, ideas, and probable consequences, as well as evaluating the outcome and revising these alternatives where necessary. Chapter 1: Goals of the Graduate Studies Program 3

10 Effective Communications The student will demonstrate effective writing and communication skills. This will be reinforced by the requirement to adhere to APA style formatting in written papers and other assignments. Lifelong Learning Skills The student will develop learning skills to serve as the foundation for future assimilation and dissemination of developing knowledge and changing environments. 4 Policies & Procedures

11 Chapter 2: Expectations of Students It is expected that applicants have carefully considered their commitment to study for a graduate degree. As evidenced by their application and their enrollment in the initial course, the College assumes that students are committed to earning the degree and they are in agreement with the following expectations: They will know and understand the course and program policies and procedures. They are willing to expend the time and effort required to complete the degree program, and they will take courses continually until they obtain the degree. Students should expect to spend hours per week preparing for and participating in their courses. They will conduct themselves appropriately and professionally in dealing with their instructor and fellow students. They have or are willing to acquire the necessary technology and skills to complete assignments and interact electronically with their instructors and fellow students. Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree majors (with possible Concentrations) are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of the proper usage of financial calculators and Microsoft Excel. Students must be aware that the Master of Science (MS) degree, Personal Financial Planning and Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree, Financial Analysis Concentration are NOT preparatory courses for standardized examinations. Though they provide extensive knowledge that will assist in the development of an in-depth theoretical and conceptual knowledge of these majors, it is not the intent of the Graduate Studies Program to prepare students for standardized examinations. Chapter 2: Expectations of Students 5

12 Student Conduct The College has adopted a Student Conduct Code to protect the rights of students, faculty, staff, and the College itself. This code ensures that the College for Financial Planning learning community is one characterized by mutual respect, civility, and good citizenship. The College s students, as members of the academic community, are to accept and adhere to these high standards of personal conduct. Students shall 1. treat all members of the College community with courtesy, respect, and dignity. 2. fulfill their obligations through honest and independent effort and integrity in academic and personal conduct. 3. accept responsibility for and the consequences of their actions. 4. maintain professional and respectful dialogue at all times. 5. abide by all published polices including, but not limited to, this manual. The Student Code of Conduct applies to all College for Financial Planning Graduate Studies Program students. Academic Integrity The College expects students to fulfill their academic obligations through honest and independent effort. In a community of scholars committed to the truth, dishonesty violates our societal code of ethics and is considered a serious offense subject to strong disciplinary actions. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to 1. knowingly furnishing false or misleading information. 2. falsification, alteration, or misuse of College forms or records. 3. any joint effort in examinations, assignments, capstone or thesis requirements, or other academic activity unless authorized by the instructor. 4. plagiarism in any form, including, but not limited to: using the work of someone else and submitting it as one s own; 6 Policies & Procedures

13 using another s phrase, sentence, or paragraph without quotation marks and/or citation; using another s ideas or structure without properly identifying the source; providing incorrect citations and/or references; providing no original thought, even with the use of citations; and willfully aiding another in any act of academic dishonesty. For proper citation and reference page formatting, students should consult the examples in the APA section of the College s required text, A Pocket Style Manual, 6 th edition. Academic misconduct and violations of academic integrity may result in being dismissed from a course and receiving a final grade of F, and may lead to dismissal from the program. Academic Disciplinary Procedures Alleged Violations An alleged violation of the Student Expectations shall be forwarded in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Director of Enrollment, or their designee. All alleged violations shall be subject to a fair and impartial process in determining whether or not a violation has occurred. An alleged violation of the Student Expectations may result in a warning or it may be subject to review by the Academic Disciplinary Committee as described below. Investigation Alleged violations of the Student Expectations shall be investigated in a prompt and reasonable manner. The investigation shall gather relevant evidence, including, but not limited to, pertinent documents and statements from witnesses. While an alleged violation of the Student Expectations is being investigated the student may be removed from class at the discretion of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Chapter 2: Expectations of Students 7

14 Notification A student who is charged with a violation of the Student Expectations shall be notified of the specific charge(s) in writing by a Charging Letter sent via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, or comparable means, and shall be given ten (10) days to submit a written response to the designated College official. Failure of a student to respond to the Charging Letter shall result in the allegations being entered as fact. In those instances where the College determines the conduct does not warrant a Charging Letter, it may choose to issue a Warning Letter and/or provide counseling to the student. Academic Disciplinary Committee After the investigation is completed and the student has responded to the Charging Letter, an Academic Disciplinary Committee shall be convened to review the file and make findings and recommendations to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The Academic Disciplinary Committee shall be compromised of at least three (3) impartial individuals who have no prior involvement with the student or the investigation. These will, however, generally be employees of the College. Committee Process Students shall be afforded the opportunity to address the Committee to make a statement in their defense. This may be done via teleconference. The amount of time to be afforded to the student may be reasonably limited by the Committee. Students are not entitled to representation by an attorney or any other third party at any point in the process. Tape, digital, or other electronic recording of the Committee Meeting is not permitted. Decision The Committee delivers a summary report, generally containing Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Recommendations to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The decision shall be communicated to the student via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, or comparable means. 8 Policies & Procedures

15 Sanctions If a violation is found, disciplinary sanctions shall be based on the seriousness of the situation and may include, but are not limited to: documented counseling by a College staff member; loss of academic credit; assignment, or course grade being entered as F; additional proctoring or alternate assignment requirements; and suspension or dismissal from the course, program or the College in general. Appeals Students found to be in violation of the Student Expectations may appeal the decision to the President of the College within ten (10) days of receiving the Disciplinary Committee s decision. The decision of the President is final and shall be communicated directly to the student. Chapter 2: Expectations of Students 9

16 Chapter 3: Graduate Degree Program Course Requirements Degree Requirements for the Master of Science (MS) Degree, Personal Financial Planning Major The Personal Financial Planning major is a general course of study, emphasizing the traditional areas of financial planning in case-studybased courses. The goals for the Personal Financial Planning major are as follows: Identify the relevant elements and analyze, develop, implement, monitor, and revise effective risk management planning strategies to address client objectives. Identify the relevant elements and analyze, develop, implement, monitor, and revise effective investment planning strategies to address client objectives. Identify the relevant elements and analyze, develop, implement, monitor, and revise effective income tax planning strategies to address client objectives. Identify the relevant elements and analyze, develop, implement, monitor, and revise effective pre- and post-retirement planning strategies to address client objectives. Identify the relevant elements and analyze, develop, implement, monitor, and revise effective estate planning strategies to address client objectives. Demonstrate mastery of the major goals of Personal Financial Planning, including an advanced knowledge of ethics, through a directed case study analysis or a thesis. 10 Policies & Procedures

17 There are two capstones that a Personal Financial Planning major student may pursue: Integrated Case Study Capstone (4 total hours) Financial Planning Thesis (5 total hours) Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the MS Degree, Personal Financial Planning major. Accumulate a minimum of 34 or 35 hours of credit (depending on the capstone option). Students may change their choice of Case Study Capstone or Thesis at any time. Students may transfer up to 15 credit hours if they have CFP Certification Education through the College for Financial Planning or institutions using the College s materials and exams. Students of other institutions may transfer up to 9 credit hours, if approved by the Admissions committee. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Transfer courses and graduate-level CFP courses credited toward the degree are not included in the computation of the student s program GPA. A maximum of three C+/C final course grades will count toward the degree. Courses in which additional final C+/C (more than 3) or F course grades are received will be included in the program GPA, but no credit hours will be earned. If a course is repeated, only the most recent course grade will be included in the GPA computation. Be admitted as a graduate degree student for a minimum of one year before the degree is awarded. Chapter 3: Graduate Degree Program Course Requirements 11

18 Personal Financial Planning Degree All traditional (non-legacy) students must take the following core courses first: PFP Degree, Non-legacy Required Courses PFP500 PFP501 PFP502 PFP503 PFP504 PFP505 PFP550 PFP570 Financial Planning Process Overview (3 semester hours) Studies in Insurance (3 semester hours) Studies in Investment Planning (3 semester hours) Studies in Income Tax Planning (3 semester hours) Studies in Retirement Planning (3 semester hours) Studies in Estate Planning (3 semester hours) Portfolio Management for Financial Planners (3 semester hours) Pre-retirement Financial Planning Topics (3 semester hours) Two electives (can be used to obtain certificates see explanations of the available certificates in Chapter 4) (6 semester hours) PFP651 OR PFP649 Financial Planning Thesis (5 semester hours) Financial Planning Capstone (4 semester hours) Enrollment in a capstone or thesis must follow completion of the other courses. Total of 34 or 35 semester hours Traditional students may be eligible to take challenge exams for up to three of the core courses and receive course credit upon successfully studying College material and passing a proctored College exam (if obtaining 6 or 9 credits through a challenge exam, no additional transfer credit is granted). Grades from successful challenge exams that are applied toward a degree, are not reflected in the overall graduate degree GPA average. Personal Financial Planning Tracks Legacy Legacies, students who have graduated from the College s CFP Certification Professional Education Program, will have authorized the following transfer credit: 12 Policies & Procedures

19 Transfer Credit for PFP Degree, Legacy CFPE501 (1101) PFP501 3 semester hours CFPE502 (1101) PFP502 3 semester hours CFPE503 (1103) PFP503 3 semester hours CFPE504 (1104) PFP504 3 semester hours CFPE505 (1105) PFP505 3 semester hours Total possible transfer credit: 15 semester hours Legacies may not transfer any additional courses into the PFP degree (College designations excepted as these are internal transfers). Legacies are also required to take PFP550, PFP570, and three electives (including PFP500, which is replaced with an elective requirement) before attempting the capstone. Courses eligible for electives are (prerequisites are in parentheses; courses that are used for credit only are indicated by an asterisk): ACC510: Financial Statement Analysis Electives ECO510: Money and Banking (ECO500, may be waived) ECO550: Managerial Economics (ECO500, may be waived) ECO610: Advanced Macroeconomics (ECO500, may be waived) ECO620: Advanced Microeconomics (ECO500, may be waived) ETH550: Business Ethics FIN510: Investment Management FIN511: Global Finance (ECO500, may be waived) FIN520: Quantitative Analysis (MAT550, may be waived) FIN523: Debt Analysis (FIN510, may be waived) FIN525: Equity Valuation (FIN510, may be waived) FIN541: Derivatives (FIN525 or FIN523, may be waived) FIN552: Corporate Finance (FIN510, may be waived) FIN560: Public Finance (ECO500, may be waived) FIN610: Advanced Portfolio Management (FIN523 and FIN525) PFP500: Financial Planning Overview Chapter 3: Graduate Degree Program Course Requirements 13

20 PFP501: Studies in Risk Management PFP502: Studies in Investment Planning PFP503: Studies in Income Tax Planning PFP504: Studies in Retirement Planning PFP505: Studies in Estate Planning PFP510: Financial Planning Process & Risk Management PFP511: Insurance PFP512: Investments PFP513: Taxes PFP514: Retirement Planning PFP515: Estate Planning I (PFP505, PFP515, or PFP516) PFP516: Estate Planning II (PFP505, PFP515, or PFP516) PFP517: Financial Plan Development* PFP520: Portfolio Construction* PFP532: Financial Planning for Domestic Partners* PFP540: Situational Estate Planning PFP550: Portfolio Management for Financial Planners (PFP502 or PFP512, may be waived) PFP552: Alternative Investments (PFP502 or PFP512, may be waived) PFP554: Behavioral Finance and Psychology of Money (PFP502 or PFP512, may be waived) PFP558: Wealth Management Strategies* PFP560: Tax Planning for the Highly Compensated (PFP503 or PFP513) PFP570: Pre-Retirement Financial Planning Topics (PFP504 or PFP514) PFP574: 401(k) and Other Salary Deferral Plan Topics (PFP504 or PFP514) PFP576: Retirement Planning Strategies* PFP578: Retirement Plan Studies* PFP580: Issues and Cases in Estate Planning (PFP515 and PFP516 OR PFP505 and PFP516) PFP581: Estate Planning for Retirement Benefits (PFP 580) PFP590: Women and Financial Planning *These programs are linked to our designation programs. 14 Policies & Procedures

21 Degree Requirements for the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Degree The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree offers advanced financial education that builds on a foundation of business, economics, and quantitative skills. The degree is designed to offer a strong conceptual understanding of finance to develop the student s analytical and critical thinking abilities. This degree emphasizes technical competence, application of financial tools to decision-making, value creation for stakeholders, and professional responsibility and ethics. The goals for the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree are as follows: Demonstrate competencies in macro- and microeconomic systems and their application in developing, implementing, and monitoring effective global financial strategies. Identify and analyze appropriate financial models for use in security and firm valuation, risk and return measurement, and portfolio performance evaluation. Identify and apply financial statement analysis, investment tools, and asset valuation to investment management. Apply effective capital budgeting techniques, case management strategies, and risk management strategies in a corporate finance setting. Demonstrate effective decision-making competencies to balance financial goals with acceptable ethical standards and social norms. Demonstrate applicable analytical and research competencies to successfully complete a capstone or thesis requirement. Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the degree: Accumulate 18 hours of core class credit (these hours do not include any foundation class requirements), 9 hours of elective credit, and 3 credit hours of an Institutional Research or Case Study Capstone, or 5 credit hours of Finance Thesis; total of 30 or 32 credit hours required. Chapter 3: Graduate Degree Program Course Requirements 15

22 In addition to earning an MSF degree, a choice of three Concentrations (using the 3 elective credits) can be obtained: Economics Concentration: ECO550, FIN511, and one elective. Financial Analysis Concentration: FIN520, FIN541, and one elective. Portfolio Management for Financial Advisors Concentration: FIN541, FIN610, and one elective. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Transfer courses credited toward the degree are not included in the computation of the student s program GPA. A maximum of three C+/C final course grades will count toward the degree. Courses in which additional final C+/C (more than 3) or F course grades are received will be included in the program GPA, but no credit hours will be earned. If a course is repeated, only the most recent course grade will be included in the GPA computation. Be admitted as a graduate degree student for a minimum of one year before the degree is awarded. Foundation Courses Students without evidence of undergraduate/graduate course(s) in accounting, finance, and/or statistics (with a 3.0 or better GPA in those courses) must take one or more of the following foundation courses. This increases the credit hour degree requirements by three credits for each course. MSF Degree Foundation Courses ACC500 FIN500 MAT550 Accounting Finance Statistics 16 Policies & Procedures

23 Degree Requirements Requirements for the Master of Science in Finance degree are as follows: Master of Science in Finance Degree Requirements Core Classes FIN510 ACC510 ECO510 FIN525 FIN523 FIN552 FIN644 FIN651 OR Investment Management (3 credit hours) (required first course unless ACC510 is taken) Financial Statement Analysis (3 credit hours) (required first course unless FIN510 is taken) Money & Banking (3 credit hours) Equity Valuation (3 credit hours) Debt Analysis (3 credit hours) Corporate Finance (3 credit hours) Choice of 3 Electives (9 credit hours) (electives can be used to obtain an Economics, Financial Analysis, or a Portfolio Management for Financial Advisors Concentration) Capstone Case Study Capstone (3 credit hours) Finance Thesis (5 credit hours). Enrollment in a capstone or thesis must follow completion of the other courses. 30 to 32 total credit hours Chapter 3: Graduate Degree Program Course Requirements 17

24 Requirements for the MSF degree Concentrations are as follows: Master of Science in Finance, Economics Concentration Requirements Core Classes FIN510 ACC510 ECO510 FIN525 FIN523 FIN552 Investment Management (3 credit hours) (required first course unless ACC510 is taken) Financial Statement Analysis (3 credit hours) (required first course unless FIN510 is taken) Money & Banking (3 credit hours) Equity Valuation (3 credit hours) Debt Analysis (3 credit hours) Corporate Finance (3 credit hours) Concentration Courses ECO550 FIN511 Managerial Economics (3 credit hours) Global Finance (3 credit hours) Choice of 1 additional Elective (3 credit hours) Capstone FIN644 Case Study Capstone (3 credit hours) OR FIN651 Finance Thesis (5 credit hours) Enrollment in the capstone must follow completion of the other courses. 30 to 32 total credit hours 18 Policies & Procedures

25 Master of Science in Finance, Financial Analysis Concentration Requirements Core Classes FIN510 ACC510 ECO510 FIN525 FIN523 FIN552 Investment Management (3 credit hours) (required first course unless ACC510 is taken) Financial Statement Analysis (3 credit hours) (required first course unless FIN510 is taken) Money & Banking (3 credit hours) Equity Valuation (3 credit hours) Debt Analysis (3 credit hours) Corporate Finance (3 credit hours) Concentration Courses FIN520 FIN541 Quantitative Analysis (3 credit hours) Derivatives (3 credit hours) Choice of 1 additional Elective (3 credit hours) Capstone FIN644 FIN651 OR Case Study Capstone (3 credit hours) Finance Thesis (5 credit hours) Enrollment in the capstone must follow completion of the other courses. 30 to 32 total credit hours Chapter 3: Graduate Degree Program Course Requirements 19

26 Master of Science in Finance, Portfolio Management for Financial Advisors Concentration Requirements Core Classes FIN510 ACC510 ECO510 FIN525 FIN523 FIN552 Investment Management (3 credit hours) (required first course unless ACC510 is taken) Financial Statement Analysis (3 credit hours) (required first course unless FIN510 is taken) Money & Banking (3 credit hours) Equity Valuation (3 credit hours) Debt Analysis (3 credit hours) Corporate Finance (3 credit hours) Concentration Courses FIN541 FIN610 Derivatives (3 credit hours) Advanced Portfolio Management (3 credit hours) Choice of 1 additional Elective (3 credit hours) Capstone FIN644 Case Study Capstone (3 credit hours) OR FIN651 Finance Thesis (5 credit hours) Enrollment in the capstone must follow completion of the other courses. 30 to 32 total credit hours 20 Policies & Procedures

27 Courses eligible for electives are (prerequisites are in parenthesis; courses for transfer credit only are indicated by an asterisk): Electives ACC510: Financial Statement Analysis ECO510: Money and Banking (ECO500, may be waived) ECO550: Managerial Economics (ECO500, may be waived) ECO610: Advanced Macroeconomics (ECO500, may be waived) ECO620: Advanced Microeconomics (ECO500, may be waived) ETH550: Business Ethics FIN510: Investment Management FIN511: Global Finance (ECO500, may be waived) FIN520: Quantitative Analysis (MAT550, may be waived) FIN523: Debt Analysis (FIN510, may be waived) FIN525: Equity Valuation (FIN510, may be waived) FIN541: Derivatives (FIN525 or FIN523, may be waived) FIN552: Corporate Finance (FIN510, may be waived) FIN560: Public Finance (ECO500, may be waived) FIN610: Advanced Portfolio Management (FIN523 and FIN525) PFP500: Financial Planning Overview PFP501: Studies in Risk Management PFP502: Studies in Investment Planning PFP503: Studies in Income Tax Planning PFP504: Studies in Retirement Planning PFP505: Studies in Estate Planning PFP510: Financial Planning Process & Risk Management PFP511: Insurance PFP512: Investments PFP513: Taxes PFP514: Retirement Planning PFP515: Estate Planning I (PFP505, PFP515, or PFP516) PFP516: Estate Planning II (PFP505, PFP515, or PFP516) PFP517: Financial Plan Development* PFP520: Portfolio Construction* Chapter 3: Graduate Degree Program Course Requirements 21

28 PFP532: Financial Planning for Domestic Partners* PFP540: Situational Estate Planning PFP550: Portfolio Management for Financial Planners (PFP502 or PFP512, may be waived) PFP552: Alternative Investments (PFP502 or PFP512, may be waived) PFP554: Behavioral Finance and Psychology of Money (PFP502 or PFP512, may be waived) PFP558: Wealth Management Strategies* PFP560: Tax Planning for the Highly Compensated (PFP503 or PFP513) PFP570: Pre-Retirement Financial Planning Topics (PFP504 or PFP514) PFP574: 401(k) and Other Salary Deferral Plan Topics (PFP504 or PFP514) PFP576: Retirement Planning Strategies* PFP578: Retirement Plan Studies* PFP580: Issues and Cases in Estate Planning (PFP515 and PFP516 OR PFP505 and PFP516) PFP581: Estate Planning for Retirement Benefits (PFP 580) PFP590: Women and Financial Planning *These programs are linked to our designation programs. Students cannot receive credit for both PFP520 (Portfolio Management and Construction) and PFP550 (Portfolio Management): 1. Students successfully completing PFP520 prior to March 20, 2012, will receive three credit hours for either PFP512 or PFP550, and the other class will be waived (i.e., if credit is given for PFP512 then PFP550 will be waived, or vice versa). Waived classes do not result in any credit hours being awarded and must be replaced with an elective. 2. Students successfully completing PFP520 on or after March 20, 2012, will receive six credit hours toward the Finance degree: three for PFP512 and three for PFP Policies & Procedures

29 Chapter 4: Graduate Designation & Certificate Program Course Requirements Master Planner Advanced Studies (MPAS) Designation M aster of Science, Personal Financial Planning and Master of Science in Finance, Financial Analysis Concentration majors are eligible and can apply for the MPAS Designation after graduation. There is no charge to initially obtain the designation; however, designees must complete three renewal requirements every two years. A detailed list of the requirements can be found on our Alumni website (cffpalum.org). Personal Financial Planning Graduate Certificate The College offers a Personal Financial Planning Graduate Certificate for students who complete the PFP500 PFP505 (or PFP510 PFP516) courses with the College. Students must have applied for and been accepted into the Graduate Studies Program in order to work toward this graduate certificate. Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the certificate: Accumulate 18 semester hours of credit from the College in the Personal Financial Planning degree (specifically PFP500 PFP505; as shown in the following table). Students cannot transfer courses from other programs to satisfy this requirement. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Complete the requirements of the following courses (within two years if not part of a degree program). Chapter 4: Graduate Designation & Certificate Program Course Requirements 23

30 PFP Graduate Certificate Course Requirements PFP500 (or PFP510) PFP501 (or PFP511) PFP502 (or PFP512) PFP503 (or PFP513) PFP504 (or PFP514) PFP505 (or PFP515) Financial Planning Overview Studies in Insurance Studies in Investment Planning Studies in Income Tax Planning Studies in Retirement Planning Studies in Estate Planning 18 total credit hours Legacies are not eligible for this Graduate Certificate. Portfolio Management for Financial Planners Graduate Certificate The College offers a Portfolio Management Graduate Certificate for students who complete PFP502 (or PFP512), PFP550, PFP552, and PFP554 with the College. Students must have applied for and been accepted into the Graduate Studies Program in order to work toward this graduate certificate. Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the certificate: Accumulate 12 semester hours of credit from the College in the Personal Financial Planning degree, specifically PFP502 (or PFP512), PFP550, PFP552, and PFP554; as shown in the following table. Students cannot transfer courses from other outside programs to satisfy this requirement. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Complete the requirements of the following courses (within two years if not part of a degree program). 24 Policies & Procedures

31 Portfolio Management Certificate Course Requirements PFP502 (or PFP512) PFP550 PFP552 PFP554 Studies in Investment Planning Portfolio Management for Personal Financial Planners Alternative Investments Behavioral Finance & Psychology of Money 12 total credit hours Students who have studied using the College s Investment (CFPE 502) materials, and passed a proctored College exam, will receive credit for PFP512. Students who have earned the APMA designation and successfully completed PFP520 prior to March 20, 2012, will receive credit for PFP512. Students who have earned the APMA designation and successfully completed PFP520 on or after March 20, 2012, will receive credit for both PFP512 and PFP550. Students holding the CAIA Charter (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) will receive credit for PFP552. Retirement Planning Graduate Certificate The College offers a Retirement Planning Graduate Certificate for students who complete PFP504 (or PFP514), PFP570, PFP572, and PFP581 with the College. Students must have applied for and been accepted into the Graduate Studies Program in order to work toward this graduate certificate. Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the certificate: Accumulate 12 semester hours of credit from the College in the Personal Financial Planning degree, specifically PFP504 (or PFP514), PFP570, PFP574, and PFP581; as shown in the following table. Students cannot transfer courses from other outside programs to satisfy this requirement. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Complete the requirements of the following courses (within two years if not part of a degree program). Chapter 4: Graduate Designation & Certificate Program Course Requirements 25

32 Retirement Planning Graduate Certificate Course Requirements PFP504 (or PFP514) PFP570 PFP574 PFP581 Studies in Retirement Planning Pre-Retirement Financial Planning Topics 401(k) Plan & Other Salary Deferral Plan Topics Estate Planning for Retirement Benefits 12 total credit hours Students who have used the College s Retirement Planning (CFPE 504) materials, and passed a proctored College exam, will receive credit for PFP504. Students will automatically be awarded a Retirement Planning Graduate Certificate after successful completion of the aforementioned course requirements. Estate Planning Graduate Certificate The College offers an Estate Planning Graduate Certificate for students who complete PFP505 (or PFP515), PFP540, PFP580, and PFP581 with the College. Students must have applied for and been accepted into the Graduate Studies Program in order to work toward this graduate certificate. Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the certificate: Accumulate 12 semester hours of credit from the College in the Personal Financial Planning degree, specifically PFP505 (or PFP515), PFP540, PFP580, and PFP581; as shown in the following table. Students cannot transfer courses from other programs to satisfy this requirement. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Complete the requirements of the following courses (within two years if not part of a degree program). Estate Planning Graduate Certificate Course Requirements PFP505 (or PFP515) PFP540 PFP580 PFP581 Studies in Estate Planning Situational Estate Planning Case Studies in Estate Planning Estate Planning for Retirement Benefits 12 total credit hours 26 Policies & Procedures

33 Students who have used the College s Estate Planning (CFPE 505) materials, and passed a proctored College exam, will receive credit for either PFP515 or PFP516. In addition, the estate planning course not used for credit will be waived. Students will automatically be awarded an Estate Planning Graduate Certificate after successful completion of the aforementioned course requirements. Economics Graduate Certificate The College offers an Economics Graduate Certificate for students who complete ECO510, ECO550, ECO610, and ECO620 with the College. Students must have applied for and been accepted into the Graduate Studies Program in order to work toward this graduate certificate. Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the certificate: Accumulate 12 semester hours of credit from the College in Economics. Students cannot transfer courses from other programs to satisfy this requirement. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Complete the requirement of four of the following three-credit courses plus COM 500 (within two years if not part of a degree program). Economics Graduate Certificate Course Requirements ECO510 ECO550 FIN511 FIN560 Money and Banking Managerial Economics Global Finance Public Finance 12 credit hours Students will automatically be awarded an Economics Graduate Certificate after successful completion of the aforementioned course requirements. Chapter 4: Graduate Designation & Certificate Program Course Requirements 27

34 Financial Analysis Graduate Certificate The College offers a Financial Analysis Graduate Certificate for students who complete FIN520, FIN523, FIN525, and FIN541 with the College. Students must have applied for and been accepted into the Graduate Studies Program in order to work toward this graduate certificate. Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the certificate: Accumulate 12 semester hours of credit from the College in the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree, Financial Analysis Concentration. Students cannot transfer courses from other programs to satisfy this requirement. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Complete the requirement of the following courses (within two years if not part of a degree program). Financial Analysis Graduate Certificate Course Requirements FIN520 FIN523 FIN525 FIN541 Quantitative Analysis Debt Analysis Equity Valuation Derivatives 12 total credit hours Students will automatically be awarded a Financial Analysis Graduate Certificate after successful completion of the aforementioned course requirements. Portfolio Management for Financial Advisors Graduate Certificate The College offers a Portfolio Management for Financial Advisors Graduate Certificate for students who complete FIN523, FIN525, FIN541, and FIN610 with the College. Students must have applied for and been accepted into the Graduate Studies Program in order to work toward this graduate certificate. 28 Policies & Procedures

35 Students must meet the following standards to be awarded the certificate: Accumulate 12 semester hours of credit from the College in the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Degree, Financial Analysis Concentration. Students cannot transfer courses from other programs to satisfy this requirement. Earn an overall 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA). Complete the requirement of the following courses (within two years if not part of a degree program). Portfolio Management for Financial Advisors Graduate Certificate Course Requirements FIN523 FIN525 FIN541 FIN610 Debt Analysis Equity Valuation Derivatives Advanced Portfolio Management 12 total credit hours Students will automatically be awarded a Portfolio Management for Financial Advisors Graduate Certificate after successful completion of the aforementioned course requirements. Credit for Earning a College for Financial Planning Designation Students who have obtained the following College designations and are currently in good standing may attempt the listed challenge exams, which potentially give credit for certain courses of the CFP program toward a degree. AAMS may challenge CFPE 501 (three credit hours) and/or CFPE 502 (three credit hours) CMFC may challenge CFPE 501 (three credit hours) and/or CFPE 502 (three credit hours) Chapter 4: Graduate Designation & Certificate Program Course Requirements 29

36 The following personal financial planning challenge examinations would qualify a student for the following credit and waivers: Passes CFPET 501: The student receives three credit hours for PFP510, and PFP511 will be waived. Passes CFPET 502: The student receives three credit hours for PFP512. Passes CFPET 503: The student receives receive three credit hours for PFP513. Passes CFPET 504: The student receives three credit hours for PFP514. Passes CFPET 505: The student receives three credit hours for PFP515, and PFP516 will be waived. Passes CFPET 506: The student receives three credit hours for PFP517. Waived classes do not result in any credit hours being awarded and must be replaced with an elective. Grades from successful challenge exams that are applied toward the degree are not reflected in the overall graduate degree GPA average. 30 Policies & Procedures

37 Chapter 5: Admission to the Graduate Studies Program Admission Requirements A ll applicants must have earned a bachelor s or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or its equivalent as determined by an evaluation agency (see the requirements for acceptance of an international degree later in this chapter). All applicants must submit the following: 1. Application 2. Application fee 3. Official transcripts from all previous college course work and related professional studies 4. Up to a one-page essay describing one or more goals the applicant wishes to achieve by earning a graduate degree from the College for Financial Planning and an additional essay up to one page describing/explaining the experience he or she has in the financial services industry The Admissions Committee will base admission to the Graduate Studies Program on an applicant s prior education, certifications and/or licenses held, experience relative to the degree desired, the ability to effectively communicate in writing, the perceived potential to successfully complete a graduate degree, and the ability to use appropriate technology. The Application Process Applicants initiate the admissions process by submitting a Graduate Studies Program application form, application-processing fee, and required paperwork (i.e., transcripts, writing sample, and course descriptions for courses being considered for transfer credit) to the Enrollment department. The application fee is nonrefundable. Applications are complete when the application form, Chapter 5: Admission to the Graduate Studies Program 31

38 application fee, and all required supporting documents have been received. The Admissions Committee will not review incomplete applications and may request additional information from the applicant. Incomplete applications will be maintained by the Registrar for a maximum of 90 days. Thereafter, applicants must reinitiate the admissions process and pay another application processing fee. Once all components of the application have been received and are determined to be complete, the applicant will be notified that his or her application is being forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. Reviews are typically completed within one week. Denied Admission Applicants who do not meet the criteria for admission will be denied admission. Applicants may resubmit an application at a future date if they believe their qualifications have changed. Notification of Admission or Denial Applicants will be notified of the Admissions Committee decision by both and a formal letter. For those accepted, the award of transfer credit hours will also be communicated. Official Transcripts Official transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions must be submitted. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly from the student s former institution to the College for Financial Planning and bear the raised seal of the institution (or other authentication marks), a recent date of issue, and the signature of the Registrar or other appropriate college official. Transcripts that are issued directly to the student are not considered official and will not be accepted. 32 Policies & Procedures

39 International Students Students whose undergraduate degree is from a country other than the United States are required to provide official translations of transcripts, an evaluation of their educational credentials by an approved third party, and meet English language criteria, as shown following. Translation of International Credentials Applicants with international education credentials must supply a certified English translation if the academic record (transcript) is in another language. A translation is a process by which the words and conveyance of meaning of one language are rendered into another. A certified translation is a true and accurate translation of the original document performed by an accomplished translator. All translations should bear the signature and name of the translator and the name and address of the institution/organization with which the translator is affiliated. The College will accept translations from the following: foreign language professor from a regionally accredited institution embassy or consulate officials issuing institution (the school itself provides an official translation that is validated by the Registrar or other school official) certified translator from an official translation service or a professional organization that provides certified translations as one of its services. Such a service will employ only certified translators who have successfully passed required examinations and are governed by specific rules/regulations. The following are recommended translation services for international student admission applications: Accredited Language Services Liaison Multilingual BERLITZ Languages Inc. Translation Services World Translation Services Chapter 5: Admission to the Graduate Studies Program 33

40 Fees and processing times vary depending upon who performs the translation and the text length of the document. Comparatively, education institutions offer the service at a lower cost. Embassies may require a longer waiting period, whereas issuing institutions typically have little delay in providing the service. Many translation services provide a free estimate either over the phone or after reviewing the documents. Fees are usually higher, but rush service may be provided. Evaluation of Educational Achievement Applicants with international education credentials must obtain an equivalency report from a third-party evaluation agency that is a member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) Education credentials from Canada do not need to be evaluated. Evaluation reports must be received by the College directly from the evaluation service. Student copies are not accepted. Applicants should request a course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report of educational credentials must contain a comprehensive report for educational purposes. English Language Proficiency Applicants whose native language is not English and whose post-secondary education was obtained from a school outside the United States must demonstrate English proficiency by achieving an acceptable score on one of the following exams: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Passing score = 213 (all programs) Passing score = 79 (Internet-based test ibt) College for Financial Planning Code assigned by ETS for reporting TOEFL scores = 7126 Test of English as an International Communication (TOEIC) Passing score = 750 (all programs) 34 Policies & Procedures

41 International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Passing score = 6.5 (all programs) Berlitz English Language Proficiency exam Passing score of 550 (all programs) Submitting Scores To request that official score reports be mailed to the College, the applicant must identify the College for Financial Planning (CODE = 7126) on the day the test is taken or submit a follow-up request. A follow-up request may be made by phone, mail, or fax. The College for Financial Planning will accept only OFFICIAL ORIGINAL SCORE REPORTS that are sent directly to the College from ETS. For information about how to order follow-up score reports for the TOEFL or TOEIC exams, visit the TOEFL website at Because language proficiency can change considerably in a relatively short period of time, scores more than two years old will not be reported or verified by ETS. Test scores are only available from ETS for two years following the exam. After two years the applicant will have to take the test again in order to have scores reported. The College will not accept copies of score reports, or original personal score reports. Exceptions to TOEFL and TOEIC Exams An exception to the TOEFL/TOEIC requirement may be granted in the following cases: The applicant has earned a bachelor s degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. The applicant has successfully completed a bachelor s degree or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a country in which English is the official language. Please note that a professional evaluation from an approved agency is required. Transcripts from Canada do not need a professional evaluation. Chapter 5: Admission to the Graduate Studies Program 35

42 The applicant has successfully completed a bachelor s degree or graduate degree from a recognized institution where English is the sole medium of instruction. This can be verified by obtaining a letter from the institution on official letterhead sent directly from the institution to the College. Please note that a professional evaluation from an approved agency is required. Criteria for Readmission Former students of the College may apply for readmission to the program. Applicants for readmission must meet the current admission requirements and comply with the current application process in place at the time they submit their application. Readmitted students academic records will be reviewed for approval of successfully completed previous course work, if any, and eligibility of transfer credits to the matriculated degree requirements. If accepted, students will be readmitted to the most current version of the degree program and will be required to pay all applicable fees. 36 Policies & Procedures

43 Chapter 6: Accepting Courses and Credits as Transfer Credit Transfer of Graduate-Level Courses from Other Institutions Transfer credit will be considered for courses that meet the following criteria: Graduate-level courses completed at regionally accredited institutions of higher education; Related to the MS degree, Personal Financial Planning or the MSF degree or any of its Concentrations; and those that complement the Graduate Studies Program curriculum; and Completed with a grade of B or higher within a 10-year period immediately prior to application for admission to the program. Please note that transfer credit is analyzed and a decision made after a student has submitted an enrollment form. No guarantee can be made of transfer credit before enrollment. Use the guidelines shown above for consideration of transfer credit. After enrollment, the committee will evaluate transfer courses and their credit hours on an application-by-application basis. However, it is the applicant s responsibility to provide adequate information about the course content of courses submitted for transfer credit consideration. Six semester credit hours is the maximum transfer credit allowed (nine credit hours may be transferred to qualified students only in the core requirements of the Personal Financial Planning degree). Chapter 6: Accepting Courses and Credits as Transfer Credit 37

44 Transfer of Equivalent Financial Planning Courses from Other Institutions Graduate-level courses completed with B or higher grade in a financial planning education program at a regionally accredited institution may be accepted as a substitute of the equivalent required financial planning course and its credit hours in the Personal Financial Planning degree. A maximum of nine semester credit hours may be credited toward the core degree requirements in the Personal Financial Planning degree. Financial planning transfer courses must not be older than 10 years. Students with undergraduate financial planning courses may take up to three challenge exams for credit in the Personal Financial Planning degree core requirements. College for Financial Planning Courses and Exams The College s Certified Financial Planning Professional Education Program courses provide up to 15 credits hours in the Personal Financial Planning degree and the College s applicable designations each provide 3 credits (6 credits for APMA). In addition, courses taken in institutions using the College's materials and exams are considered as College for Financial Planning courses. As a consequence, students with these courses will also receive up to 15 hours of transfer credit. Credit Transfer Process Transfer courses and credits are applied toward the degree in one of the following ways: Courses determined to be substantially the equivalent of a required course will be accepted as a substitute of a required course and its credit hours. It will be assumed that all prerequisites have been met, unless the prerequisite is also a required course. Other courses may be accepted as a substitute of an elective course and its credit hours. 38 Policies & Procedures

45 Waiver When a waiver is approved, a student does not need to take the waived course, but must replace the credit hours of that course with a chosen elective course. Credit hours toward the degree are not awarded for waived courses until the substitute elective course is taken. Students who have documented proof of passing the CFA Level I examination will have the following courses waived: ACC510, FIN520, and FIN523 or FIN525, upon meeting all other admissions requirements. Chapter 6: Accepting Courses and Credits as Transfer Credit 39

46 Chapter 7: Student Progress Advising Each admitted student will be assigned an academic counselor from the Academic department and an Enrollment Specialist from the Enrollment department staff. The advisor will maintain regular contact with the student until he or she has completed all degree requirements or has withdrawn or been dismissed from the program. Add/Drop Period The first week of each session (Tuesday through close of business Monday) is the Add/Drop period. Students may enroll in a course, with faculty permission, during this period. Additionally, students may drop from a course during this period. Students who drop their course(s) during the Add/Drop period will receive a full refund of their course tuition. Courses that are dropped will have their status changed to canceled. Drop requests must be submitted to the Enrollment Specialist, Academic Advisor, or Registrar by , regular mail, or fax prior to the close of business by Monday 5:00 p.m. MST of Week 1. Telephone notifications of a drop request will not be honored. Course Enrollment Status Course status will be one of the following: Active, Waived, Incomplete, Withdrawn, Dismissed, or Complete. Active An active status associated with a course signifies that the student is enrolled in a course and is working toward completion of that course. 40 Policies & Procedures

47 Waived Depending on the assessment of transfer credit, a course may be waived, indicating that a student does not have to complete that course. However, the student, in this case, must replace the credit with a chosen elective. Incomplete At the request of the student, the course instructor may approve additional time to complete the course when all of the following conditions have been met: 1. The student has submitted a minimum of 50% of the total course assignments prior to the time the incomplete is requested. Submitted assignments must have been submitted on time. 2. The student has earned a B grade or higher in the course, based on the assignments completed prior to the request. 3. The request must be presented to the instructor and a mutually acceptable plan formulated for removing the incomplete grade prior to the end of the incomplete grade period. When the mutually acceptable plan has been finalized, the instructor must notify the Registrar of the incomplete and the additional time allowed. 4. The request for an incomplete grade must be submitted to the instructor prior to the course session end date. Incomplete grades will not be approved after the course session end date. Removing an Incomplete Grade Missing or incomplete assignments should be submitted in accordance with the plan agreed upon between instructor and student and submitted no later than midnight on Monday of the fourth week following the course end date. Missing or incomplete assignments may be assigned zero points and may result in a failing grade for the course. The final grade will be assigned according to the grading policy defined in the course syllabus. Four weeks after the end of the session, all incomplete grades will revert to an F grade, unless the instructor submits a final course grade. Chapter 7: Student Progress 41

48 Withdrawn A withdrawn status indicates that the student has voluntarily removed himself or herself from the course after the Add/Drop period. Withdrawal requests must be submitted to the Enrollment Specialist or Registrar by , regular mail, or fax prior to the class session end date, and will not be honored after the class session end date. Telephone notifications of a withdrawal will not be honored. A final grade of W will be assigned when a course has a withdrawn status. No refund is authorized for a course withdrawal. If at any time the program status is changed to withdrawn, enrollment status in courses that have not been completed or dismissed will be changed to withdrawn. Dismissed A dismissed status means that a student has been involuntarily removed from a course. Course enrollment status will be changed to dismissed at the discretion of the instructor after notifying the student. When a student has been dismissed from a course, a final grade of F will be assigned. Students receiving a final course grade of F must repeat the course to receive a passing grade. A student may be dismissed because he or she fails to submit any three assignments (missed assignments need not be consecutive), plagiarism, cheating, disruptive behavior, or for any other justifiable reason. The course instructor will attempt to contact and counsel the student prior to dismissing him or her from the course. Complete When a student has met all of the course requirements and a passing final course grade is assigned (C or higher), the course status will indicate complete. Complete/Fail Students who receive a failing grade for a course (F) must repeat the course to receive a passing grade. Only the most current course grade will be used to compute the GPA when a course is repeated. 42 Policies & Procedures

49 Program Admission Status Program status may be admitted, withdrawn, dismissed, or graduated. (Note: A readmitted status will have the same meaning as an admitted status.) Admitted This signifies that a student has been admitted to the program and is eligible to enroll in graduate-degree-level courses for credit toward a degree, certificate, or designation. Non-degree Status Students are permitted to take up to two courses (COM 500, Research and Communications and any other course) while in non-degree status. This would include students taking a single course or working toward a graduate certificate. After completing two courses, students who have not applied and paid the application fee will be denied admission into future courses. Withdrawn This status indicates that a student has voluntarily removed himself or herself from the program and all courses. Program withdrawal requests must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by , regular mail, or fax. Telephone notifications of program withdrawals will not be honored. Dismissed, Criteria for Program Dismissal and Extension A dismissed student has been involuntarily removed from the program. A student s program will be dismissed if he or she: is found to have violated the student conduct requirements, fails to maintain a 3.00 or higher cumulative grade point average for a period of time longer than one year, fails to take and earn a grade in at least three courses within any 12-month period, Chapter 7: Student Progress 43

50 fails to enroll in any courses within nine months of being admitted to the program, or exceeds the maximum time of five years to complete the degree. The fiveyear time period starts on the date of acceptance to the Graduate Studies Program (matriculation date) and ends five years later. For example, if a student is admitted on January 1, 2014, the student must complete the degree requirements by December 31, Appeals Prior to dismissal for failure to complete the program within five years, students experiencing extenuating circumstances may appeal to the Chair, Graduate Studies Program for an extension, up to one year. Appeals should include the student s plan of how he or she will complete the program within one year. Graduated This signifies that a student has met all of the degree requirements of the program degree he or she selected, and has been conferred the degree. 44 Policies & Procedures

51 Chapter 8: Grading Grading Policy The course instructor must submit a final grade no later than seven days after the last day of the session, unless an incomplete grade is submitted. Course activities that are used to assign a final course grade will be determined by the course instructor and stated in the course syllabus. The course final grade policy is as follows: A 93% to 100% A- 90% to 92.99% B+ 87% to 89.99% B 83% to 86.99% B- 80% to 82.99% C+ 75% to 79.99% C 70% to 74.99% F 69.99% and below Any student dismissed from a course will receive a final grade of F. Calculation of Grade Grade point average (GPA) will be computed in the following manner for program admission and graduation. The sum of the individual course credit hours value multiplied by individual course grade value divided by the total credit hours attempted. GPA will be computed to three decimal places and rounded to two decimal places. Undergraduate course work from two or more institutions will be combined to determine the overall undergraduate GPA. Graduate and undergraduate work will not be combined. GPA will be estimated when a transcript does not permit the computation of a GPA. Chapter 8: Grading 45

52 Credit Hours Credit hours listed on an applicant s transcript(s) are used to compute GPA for admission purposes. One credit hour per course will be assumed when the transcript does not indicate an assigned number of credit hours. An applicant s transcripts that indicate the GPA is based on a different scale will be recomputed or converted to a 4.00 scale. Total Attempted Credit Hours This is the sum of individual course credit hours for which there was a final grade assigned. Attempted credit hours include those for which a failing grade was assigned, but does not include those for which a Withdrawn, Dismissed, Credit, No Credit, Incomplete, Pass/Fail, or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade was assigned. Multiple grades of C+/C A maximum of three C+/C final course grades will count toward the degree. A student who has received a grade of C+/C, and/or whose GPA is below the required 3.0 to graduate, is encouraged to repeat one or more of those courses to raise the GPA to 3.0 or greater. Grade Appeals Students have the right to appeal their grades. To appeal a grade, the student must contact their instructor with any discrepancies. If there is no resolution at this level, a student may submit a written appeal to the Chair, Graduate Studies Program, no later than 60 days after receipt of their grade. The appeal must specifically state the reason(s) why the student is appealing the grade received. Appeals of Decisions The Vice President of Academic Affairs will consider appeals from students concerning, but not limited to, admission, program dismissal, and readmission. In addition, decisions of instructors related to the assignment of incomplete grades, course dismissal, and other actions may be appealed to the Chair, Graduate Studies Program. 46 Policies & Procedures

53 Chapter 9: Graduate Studies Program Courses First Course Enrollment After Program Admission The admitted student may enroll in his or her first course immediately after admission to the program. Graduate-level courses that were taken prior to admission to the program will be credited toward completion of the degree only after admission to the program Any student who does not enroll in courses within six months of being admitted will receive a warning notice that they will be removed from the program if they do not enroll in a course in three months. Students who do not enroll in any course after nine months of being admitted will be removed from the program unless they are able to provide the Admissions committee just cause for their failure to enroll. Continuous Enrollment All students should strive to maintain continuous enrollment, which is defined as completing at least three courses every 12 months. Course Descriptions Graduate Studies Program courses offered are those described here and on the College website at Course Tuition and Fees Course tuition, refund policy, and completion requirements are as specified on the College s website (cffpinfo.com). Chapter 9: Graduate Studies Program Courses 47

54 Course Prerequisites Courses may have specific prerequisite courses that help to ensure the enrolling student has the academic background to be successful in the course. Prerequisite courses should be completed prior to enrollment; however, the Admissions Committee may waive the prerequisite on a case-by-case basis through a request to the Registrar. Course Load Due to the intense study requirements for graduate-level courses at the College (minimum expectation of hours of study per week), students may enroll in only one graduate-level course per session. Hours will vary for each student due to a wide variety of factors such as course content, as well as the student s prior education and experience, and the student s study habits. Any exception to this one class per session policy must be approved by the Chair, Graduate Studies Program. Course Re-enrollment/Repeating a Course to Raise a Grade Students may reenroll in a course after they have withdrawn, been dismissed, or because they wish to raise a grade. Students who reenroll in a course must meet the course enrollment criteria in effect at the time of re-enrollment, including payment of tuition and purchase of study materials. A student may repeat a course as many times as he or she desires; however, the most recent course grade will be the official grade for the course, even if it is lower than the previous grade. Upon approval, a student may take a course that has been previously waived. Upon completion of the course, the course status will change from Waived to Completed. A student may take a course for which he or she has previously received transfer credit. However, a student may not receive dual credit for the course. Upon completion of the course, the course status will change from Transfer to Completed. 48 Policies & Procedures

55 Course Sessions Five, eight-week, regular course sessions are offered each year. All course enrollment requirements and procedures must be completed before a student is allowed to participate in a course in a specific course session. Students should strive to maintain continuous enrollment, which is defined as completing at least three of the five eight-week course sessions available each year. Regular Course Session Regular Course Sessions (8-week courses; 5 sessions per year) 2015 Cycle Start End 1501R 1/6/2015 3/2/ R 3/17/2015 5/11/ R 5/26/2015 7/20/ R 8/4/2015 9/28/ R 10/13/ /7/ Cycle Start End 1601R 1/5/2016 2/29/ R 3/15/2016 5/9/ R 5/24/2016 7/18/ R 8/2/2016 9/26/ R 10/11/ /5/ Cycle Start End 1701R 1/10/2017 3/6/ R 3/6/2017 5/15/ R 5/30/2017 7/24/ R 8/8/ /2/ R 10/17/ /11/2017 Chapter 9: Graduate Studies Program Courses 49

56 Course Start Regular course sessions start on a Tuesday. Students will be able to access their course(s) in the e-learning platform on the Friday prior to the session start date. Assignment Due Dates Assignments are due as stated in the syllabus, usually no later than Monday at midnight of the week indicated in the course syllabus. There will be no credit for late assignments. Course Session End Date The regular course session end date is Monday at midnight of the eighth week following the course session start date. All work is to be submitted by the course session end date so that the instructor can complete the evaluation process and submit a final course grade no later than seven days after the course session end date. Course Start Short course sessions start on a Tuesday. Students will be able to access their course(s) in the e-learning platform on the Friday prior to the session start date. Assignment Due Dates Assignments are due as stated in the syllabus, usually no later than Monday at midnight of the week indicated in the course syllabus. There will be no credit for late assignments. Course Session End Date The short course session end date is Monday at midnight of the 3rd week following the course session start date. All work is to be submitted by the course session end date so that the instructor can complete the evaluation process and submit a final course grade no later than 7 days after the course session end date. 50 Policies & Procedures

57 Thesis Course For those students completing their degree through researching and writing a thesis, the process is as follows: Each candidate for the MS degree must submit a thesis research topic proposal to the Registrar or Academic Advisor for assignment of a faculty advisor, and approval of the thesis topic. Once a topic is approved and a faculty advisor chosen, the student then enrolls in the next thesis course start. The thesis course is offered every regular session; however, the course is 20 weeks in length Cycle Start End 1501T 1/6/2015 5/25/ T 3/17/2015 8/3/ T 5/26/ /12/ T 8/4/ /21/ T 10/13/2015 3/6/ Cycle Start End 1601T 1/5/2016 5/23/ T 3/15/2016 8/1/ T 5/24/ /10/ T 8/2/ /19/ T 10/11/2016 3/6/ Cycle Start End 1701T 1/10/2017 5/29/ T 3/6/2017 8/7/ T 5/30/ /16/2017 Chapter 9: Graduate Studies Program Courses 51

58 Cycle Start End 1704T 8/8/ /25/ T 10/17/2017 3/5/2018 PFP Capstone Course Five, 10-week, financial planning capstone course sessions are offered each year (PFP649). The capstone submission must be submitted electronically, usually as an attachment to an , to the Registrar and to the appointed instructor. PFP Capstone Course Sessions (10-week courses; 5 sessions per year) 2015 Cycle Start End 1501PC 1/6/2015 5/11/ PC 3/17/2015 7/20/ PC 5/26/2015 8/3/ PC 8/4/ /12/ PC 10/13/ /21/ Cycle Start End 1601PC 1/5/2016 3/14/ PC 3/15/2016 5/23/ PC 5/24/2016 8/1/ PC 8/2/ /10/ PC 10/11/ /16// Cycle Start End 1701PC 1/10/2017 3/20/ PC 3/6/2017 5/29/ PC 5/30/2017 8/7/ Policies & Procedures

59 Cycle Start End 1704PC 8/8/ /16/ PC 10/17/ /25/2017 Finance Capstone Courses Five, 8-week, capstone course sessions are offered each year (FIN642 and FIN644). Finance Capstone Course Sessions (8-week courses; 5 sessions per year) 2015 Cycle Start End 1501FC 1/6/2015 3/2/ FC 3/17/2015 5/11/ FC 5/26/2015 7/20/ FC 8/4/2015 9/28/ FC 10/13/ /7/ Cycle Start End 1601FC 1/5/2016 2/29/ FC 3/15/2016 5/9/ FC 5/24/2016 7/18/ FC 8/2/2016 9/26/ FC 10/11/ /5/ Cycle Start End 1701FC 1/10/2017 3/6/ FC 3/6/2017 5/15/ FC 5/30/2017 7/24/ FC 8/8/ /2/ FC 10/17/ /11/2017 Chapter 9: Graduate Studies Program Courses 53

60 Completion of a Graduate Degree or Certificate Program Graduate Degree Audit A graduate audit is performed by the Registrar to confirm that the student has fulfilled all requirements of graduation including: The required courses have been taken, a 3.0 total grade point average has been maintained, it has been one year since application, the student is not involved in an active disciplinary investigation or proceeding, the student does not have more than three grades of C/C+, and all fees and tuition have been paid. Notification of Completion Students will be notified in writing that the degree has been awarded and the effective date. Diploma A diploma signifying the conferment of the degree is available for purchase. Diplomas are hand scripted and take 8 to 12 weeks to be completed. There is a fee to produce your diploma. Student Transcript of Grades Official transcripts are available for purchase online. Please note that the College does not provide unofficial transcripts; however, an official complimentary transcript will be issued upon graduation when the diploma is mailed. 54 Policies & Procedures

61 Earning a Graduate Certificate Student progress toward a graduate certificate is tracked and a certificate sent when the student has completed the required courses. Post-Graduate Degree Course Enrollments Graduate degree courses may be taken after the student has completed their Graduate Studies Program for the cost of tuition. Earning a Second Degree Graduates who are interested in earning a second graduate degree from the College must be aware that only up to six College credit hours can be applied to any second degree with the College, in addition to being subject to analysis of discontinued courses. Any required courses for the second degree that were already completed for the first degree beyond the six credit hours will be waived, but these hours must be replaced with electives. Chapter 9: Graduate Studies Program Courses 55

62 Chapter 10: Scholarship Programs The College for Financial Planning offers several Graduate Degree Scholarships. Loren Dunton Merit Scholarship F or this scholarship, the College considers individuals who have proven themselves to be leaders in the financial planning field and have given something back to the profession. This scholarship is awarded in honor of the late Loren Dunton, who was the driving force that solidified the ideas and activities of the professional financial planner. Mr. Dunton played a significant role in the creation and promotion of the IAFP, the College, and the Institute of Certified Financial Planners. The Loren Dunton Merit Scholarship covers all costs associated with the completion of the College s Master of Science (MS) degree, Personal Financial Planning degree, or the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree, excluding textbooks. Please note: 1. Personal financial planning courses in the master s program no longer qualify students to sit for the CFP Board exam. 2. The College continues to offer its CFP Certification Professional Education Program for those wanting to sit for the CFP Board exam. All scholarships are subject to the following rules: 1. Must register for courses within 6 months. 2. Must complete the degree within 3 years. 3. Must complete at least three courses every 12 months. 4. At the end of each full year, must have a grade average of B or higher. 5. The cost of tuition and fees are covered, but not the cost of textbooks. The deadline for submission to the College for Financial Planning Military Scholarships is April 1 and scholarships will be awarded by May 15 annually. 56 Policies & Procedures

63 To apply you may: 1. contact your Enrollment Specialist, or 2. fill out the scholarship form found on the cffpinfo.com website and press Submit, or 3. your application and required materials to or 4. mail the application form to the College for Financial Planning: Scholarship Committee College for Financial Planning 9000 E. Nichols Ave., Suite 200 Centennial, CO Military Master s Degree Scholarships The College for Financial Planning offers several scholarships that are specific to our military students and their spouses. These include scholarships for our graduate degrees and certification/designation programs. The College offers graduate degree scholarships in our two degree programs: Master of Science (MS) degree, Personal Financial Planning; and Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree, with Concentrations. Military Master of Science (MS) Degree, Personal Financial Planning Scholarship To promote professionalism in the financial planning field, and specifically to a member of the armed services or their spouse, this scholarship is awarded annually to a qualified Graduate Studies Program student who is interested in pursuing a Master of Science (MS) degree, Personal Financial Planning. One scholarship per year will be awarded to an applicant in each of the following categories: an active duty member of the armed services an active duty reservist of the armed services Chapter 10: Scholarship Programs 57

64 a spouse of an active duty member of the armed services The deadline for submission to the College for Financial Planning Military Scholarships is September 1 and scholarships will be awarded by December 31 annually. Please note: 1. Personal financial planning courses in the master s program no longer qualify students to sit for the CFP Board exam. 2. The College continues to offer its CFP Certification Professional Education Program for those wanting to sit for the CFP Board exam. All scholarships are subject to the following rules: 1. Must register for courses within 6 months. 2. Must complete the degree within 3 years. 3. Must complete at least three courses every 12 months. 4. At the end of each full year, must have a grade average of B or higher. 5. The cost of tuition and fees are covered, but not the cost of textbooks. To apply you may: 1. contact your Enrollment Specialist, or 2. fill out the scholarship form found on the cffpinfo.com website and press Submit, or 3. your application and required materials to [email protected], or 4. mail it to the College for Financial Planning: Scholarship Committee College for Financial Planning 9000 E. Nichols Ave., Suite 200 Centennial, CO Policies & Procedures

65 Military Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Degree Scholarship To promote professionalism in the fields of finance or financial analysis, and specifically to a member of the armed services or their spouse, this scholarship is awarded annually to a qualified Graduate Studies Program student who is interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Degree or a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree with any of the Concentrations: Economics, Financial Analysis, or Portfolio Management. One scholarship per year (either in the Master of Science in Finance Degree or Master of Science in Finance Degree with any of the Concentrations) will be awarded to an applicant in each of the following categories: 1. an active duty member of the armed services 2. an active duty reservist of the armed services 3. a spouse of an active duty member of the armed services The deadline for submission to the College for Financial Planning Military Scholarships is September 1 and scholarships will be awarded by December 31 annually. All scholarships are subject to the following rules: 1. Must register for courses within 6 months. 2. Must complete the degree within 3 years. 3. Must complete at least three courses every 12 months. 4. At the end of each full year, must have a grade average of B or higher. 5. The cost of tuition and fees are covered, but not the cost of textbooks. To apply you may: 1. contact your Enrollment Specialist, or 2. fill out the scholarship form found on the cffpinfo.com website and press Submit, or Chapter 10: Scholarship Programs 59

66 3. your application and required materials to or 4. mail it to the College for Financial Planning: Scholarship Committee College for Financial Planning 9000 E. Nichols Ave., Suite 200 Centennial, CO Policies & Procedures