Financial Planning and Financial Psychology (Master’s)
Creighton University’s Heider College of Business offers an online master’s degree in Financial Planning and Financial Psychology. Program courses examine all areas of financial planning. Additionally, four financial psychology courses help professionals gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand and unlock harmful subconscious beliefs many clients have, allowing them to make better choices to achieve their life goals.
This online program offers coursework required to sit for the CFP® exam. The program is one of the few graduate business programs in the country with a heavy emphasis in financial psychology taught by leading experts in the field. You’ll learn how to identify biases that impact your clients’ financial behaviors and apply strategies to help clients overcome harmful behaviors. You’ll also learn necessary skills to establish, deepen and maintain positive and productive relationships with your clients.
Backed by an accredited business school and expert faculty
The Master’s in Financial Planning and Financial Psychology is housed within Creighton’s prestigious and accredited Heider College of Business. This provides a unique opportunity to study the psychology of financial decision-making through a business lens. Creighton's Business Programs are ranked in the top 25% of Business schools in the nation.
Coursework is taught by highly skilled faculty with impressive backgrounds and credentials in the field, such as Professors Ted Klontz, PhD, CFP®; Bradley Klontz, PsyD, CFP®; Kenneth Washer, DBA, CFP®, CFA; and Edward Horwitz, PhD, CFP®.
A flexible—and worthwhile—investment in your future
We know that graduate school is a serious investment of your time and money, so we make sure that your investment is a smart one—and one that you can fit in your busy schedule. All courses in Creighton’s Financial Planning and Financial Psychology graduate program are offered in eight-week sessions entirely online and are instructor-led, allowing you to work at times that fit into your busy schedule.
Kenneth M. Washer, CFA, CFP®, DBA | Professor, Heider College of Business
"At Creighton we set students up for success to earn the CFP® designation and to find a job at a leading financial planning firm in the industry."
Program Details
Program Goals and Curriculum
The Financial Planning and Financial Psychology master’s degree is ideal for financial planners, advisors and other wealth management professionals seeking to earn the CFP® designation and to enhance their skills in the emerging field of financial psychology. It is an also an excellent program for people looking to enter financial planning. The program is online and can be completed in two and half years.
To earn this degree, you must complete 11 classes (33 credit hours). Four classes specifically pertain to financial psychology. This program is approved by the CFP® Board and meets its educational requirements, including classes in investments, retirement, risk management, taxation and estate planning, as well as a capstone course. Financial psychology courses focus on behavioral finance, personal financial psychology, and the psychology of family finances.
Financial Planning Courses (21 hours)
- Personal Financial Planning
- Insurance Risk Management
- Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
- Estate Planning and Taxation
- Tax Theory and Business Decisions
- Investment Value and Theory
- Cases in Financial Planning
Financial Psychology Courses (12 hours)
- Applied Behavioral Finance
- Introduction to Financial Psychology
- Personal Financial Psychology
- The Psychology of Family Finances
Courses requirements listed above are effective for students entering beginning fall 2023, and will be reflected in the 2023-2024 catalog.
Admissions Requirements
- Application
- Personal statement
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA or higher
- Completion of undergrad statistics course (or noncredit tutorial may be completed for a fee, if needed)
- GMAT score, if required
- Personal Interview (per request of admissions committee)
- Additional requirements for international students
International students are welcomed into this program so long as they complete it from their country of residence, as F-1 visas will not be issued.
International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition rates change in the fall of each year. View the tuition and fees for this program.
Financial Aid
To help make your graduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available graduate student scholarships and fellowships.
Still have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731.
Dates & Deadlines
The information below detail the enrollment deadlines and starting dates of courses for the current academic year. If you have any questions about dates, deadlines or application materials, please contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.
Rolling admission: Once your application is submitted it will be reviewed and we'll work with you to get into the next available class.
Online - Start Classes In:
- August
- October
- January
- March
- June
Accreditation
Creighton University has been awarded Regional Accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
The Heider College of Business has been accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Creighton is one of only 2% of institutions to have attained AACSB accreditation for both business and accounting.
