SDSU Faculty * SDSU GPIDEA Home Page * GPIdea Home Page

Master’s Degree In Family and Consumer Sciences –
Family Financial Planning Specialization 

The Internet based family financial planning program was developed by The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance to provide coursework to students that would be convenient and accessible.  The inter-institutional program in family financial planning draws on the expertise of graduate faculty and graduate courses from seven universities.  The courses are taught entirely via the Internet and upon completion of the curriculum students are eligible to sit for the CFP Certification Examination. 

The courses in family financial planning enable students to:  

1.)    enhance personal financial knowledge,

2.)    complete a master’s degree from any of the participating universities,

3.)    develop competencies that may lead to professional certification by CFP Board. 

The program consists of 42 semester credit hours. The typical time for completing the program would be three years for students who are employed full time. Students who are in school full time may complete the program in a shorter period of time.  See the Course Matrix (.pdf file) for this program. 

To participate in the program students will need the capability to access and download materials from the Internet. Students must also have an e-mail address and access to a VCR and FAX. 

Program Application
There is not a deadline for admissions with applicants being accepted throughout the year.  However, a limited number are accepted so apply early for admission. If students are not admitted this year to SDSU they may apply to one of the other institutions or apply again the next year at SDSU.  The GRE is not required for admission to SDSU. A completed application will include the Graduate School Application, Transcripts, Letters of Recommendation, Goals Statement and a Resume. For further information about the admission procedure contact GPIdea@sdstate.edu. 

Financial Aid
Contact the Financial Aid Office at SDSU for information about financial aid. For scholarship information in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences refer the scholarship information in the FCS College Website.  

Course Registration, Fees and Materials
Instructions about course registration and course material will be sent to admitted students by the Family Financial Planning program advisor prior to registration each session. Students enroll for all courses at their home institution so there is only one enrollment form to complete and one payment to be made to the home institution.  The home institution enrolls the students in the selected courses at the other participating institutions. 2008-2009 tuition is $415 per credit.  This one course fee will cover all course costs except textbooks and course packet materials.  All courses do typically require a textbook and/or supplementary materials such as a course packet. Ordering directions for those materials are sent to the student prior to the beginning of each course. 

Classroom Instruction
Instruction takes place via the Internet.  Interaction between students and faculty occurs with e-mail, teleconferencing, and discussion on the Internet. Supplementary materials may include CDs, videos and some paper mailings from faculty. 

Transfer of Credits 
Although seven institutions provide instruction, all credits will be transcripted by the home institution.  Students need not transfer credits from one institution to another.   

More Information
For more information on the M. S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, Family Financial Planning specialization contact GPIdea@sdstate.edu.  In addition to the Master of Science Program the College of Family and Consumer Sciences also offers a Certificate Program.  Information about that may be included in the same request.  

Note:
South Dakota State University does not certify individuals to use the CFP^Ò, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERä, and CFP (with flame logo)^Ò certification marks. CFP certification is granted only by Certified Financial 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 marks CFP^Ò, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERä, and CFP (with flame logo)^Ò, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.