Statistics
100%
of personal financial planning graduates are working or continuing their education quickly after earning their degree
100%
of personal financial planning graduates working full time have a job related to their degree
97%
of WMU Haworth undergraduate students participated in Experience-Driven Learning
Pursue a B.B.A. in personal financial planning
Earning a B.B.A. in personal financial planning from WMU Haworth prepares you to be the professional that clients trust to help secure their financial futures. The program's curriculum is certified by the Certified Financial Planner Board, which ensures that coursework is directly aligned with what the CFP exam requires. And, WMU students pass the CFP certification exam at a higher rate than the national average.
You’ll also have the chance to manage real assets through WMU's Student Managed Investment Fund, which oversees $5.5 million in actual money, providing the kind of hands-on market experience that classroom instruction alone can't replicate. Additionally, you'll potentially have the opportunity to serve as a financial coach through the Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness, counseling fellow students on the best ways to meet financial goals.
If you want to expand your credentials even further, WMU Haworth offers additional preparation for the Series 7 exam and Bloomberg Certification. With career opportunities spanning commercial banking, wealth management, insurance and retirement planning, this degree opens doors across the full spectrum of financial planning.
What you’ll learn
The personal financial planning curriculum at WMU Haworth covers securities valuation, investment analysis, insurance, estate and retirement planning, employee benefits and tax planning, building the technical knowledge base that financial planning professionals rely on throughout their careers.
You’ll also develop equally important interpersonal skills, including active listening, client communication and relationship management. Ultimately, financial planning is a people-focused profession, which requires talent in both analysis and understanding client needs.
And your learning will go far beyond textbooks and lectures. Hands-on learning through WMU's Student Managed Investment Fund, CFP exam preparation and opportunities to earn Bloomberg Certification give you the credentials and real-world experience to stand out in the job search. The program's CFP Board certification means every element of the curriculum meets the profession's highest standards.
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I got a personal financial planning internship, and I loved it. I am excited for my future career and the opportunity to build relationships with clients. The reason WMU Haworth stands out to me is all the experiences provided to students that get them where they want to go.
Where you’ll be after graduation
Personal financial planning graduates from WMU Haworth go on to careers as personal financial planners, budget analysts, credit analysts, insurance agents and loan counselors, among other roles. Recent graduates have been placed at financial institutions and firms including Advia Credit Union, Comerica Bank, Greenleaf Trust, Mercer Advisors, State Farm and Wolff Financial Management.
WMU Haworth’s Zhang Career Center connects personal financial planning students with internship placements, career coaching and employer recruiting events throughout their degree. With 100% of personal financial planning graduates working full time employed in a job related to their degree, the path from WMU Haworth to a financial planning career is well established.
What others have achieved
What others have achieved
WMU personal financial planning students and graduates are already making their mark. Here's a look at two of them.
Making the most of your learning experience
At WMU Haworth, you will have the best in facilities, financial technology, preparation for professional certifications and networking events focused on your field.
The Greenleaf Trust Trading Room at WMU Haworth gives you access to a professional-grade investment environment with all the tools that professionals use to manage investments. That facility is home to WMU's Student Managed Investment Fund, which puts students in charge of managing $5.5 million in real assets, an experience that is rare at the undergraduate level.
Preparation for the CFP certification exam, Series 7 exam and Bloomberg Certification are all available to you if you’re looking to build out your professional credentials before graduation.
The Zhang Career Center connects personal financial planning students with internship opportunities, employer recruiting events and career coaching tailored to the financial services industry. Academic advising is available throughout the program to help you plan your coursework, pursue certifications and make the most of every opportunity WMU Haworth offers.
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What scholarships are available for a personal financial planning degree?
WMU Haworth offers a range of scholarships for personal financial planning students, awarded based on academic merit and financial need. Admitted students can explore and apply for scholarships, including department-specific awards, through WMU’s Scholarship Universe matching tool.
