Financial Planning Program
Certificate of Graduate Study (C.G.S.) in Financial Planning
The C.G.S. in financial planning is a program of 18 credit hours (six courses) that prepares candidates to sit for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ without having to complete a master's program. Completion of the required course work meets CFP Board’s requirements for eligibility.
For information contact Program Coordinator:
 | Lisa Church Associate Professor Alger Hall 204 (401) 456-9593 (401) 456-8036 lchurch@ric.edu |
Admission Requirements
- Completed application form accompanied by a fifty-dollar nonrefundable application fee.
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.00.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.
- Two courses in financial accounting, macroeconomics, and statistics/quantitative methods.
- Completion of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), with a minimum score of 450.
Retention Requirements
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in program course work.
Course Requirements
C.G.S. in Financial Planning
Students must consult with their assigned advisor before they will be able to register for courses.
| Course No. | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 533 | Fundamentals of Financial Planning | 3 |
| ACCT 543 | Personal Income Tax Planning | 3 |
| ACCT 554 | Estate Planning | 3 |
| ACCT 555 | Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits | 3 |
| ACCT 661 | Financial Planning Capstone Course | 3 |
| FIN 432 | Theory of Investment | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the trademarks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and 
certification marks in the U.S., which it awards to individual who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Rhode Island College does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and 
certification marks. CFP® certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.