Master of Science in Financial Planning and Taxation

Edward S. Ageno School of Business

This innovative degree is designed for financial planners who have already passed the CFP® examination and who wish to reinforce key planning skills, increase their expertise in the critical areas of taxation or estate planning, and add the academic weight of a graduate certificate and a master's degree to their professional credentials. Partnering with the nationally-known GGU School of Tax, Golden Gate's financial planning program permits you to build on your CFP® background and move directly into advanced study in the field. This degree program is particularly well-suited for new or more experienced planners who aim to take their careers to a higher level.

The MS in Financial Planning and Taxation (MS-FP&T) is a 10-course degree built around the Graduate Certificate in Taxation or the Graduate Certificate in Estate Planning, depending on your concentration (see the University catalog for more information about these certificates). The degree requires completion of 30 units of advanced program coursework, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (B) or better in courses taken at Golden Gate. Courses carry three semester units of credit unless otherwise noted. All course prerequisites must be satisfied prior to enrolling in a given course; prerequisites are indicated in the section "Course Descriptions." Applicants to this program must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and have passed the Certified Financial Planner™ examination at the time of admission. No foundation courses are required for this degree; passage of the CFP® exam provides adequate evidence of appropriate preparation for advanced study in financial planning and taxation.

ADVANCED PROGRAM - 30 units

Core Requirements - 12 units
Required Financial Planning Courses (6 units)
· FI 430 Business Development in Financial Services
· FI 434 Cases in Financial Planning

Required Tax Courses (6 units)
· TA 318 Advanced Federal Income Taxation
· TA 329 Tax Research and Decision Making

CONCENTRATION IN TAXATION

Required Tax Courses (6 units)
· TA 330 Property Transactions
· TA 338 Tax Timing

Tax Electives (3 units)
Any course with a TA prefix

Finance Electives (6 units)
· FI 318 Venture Capital and Start-Up Financing
· FI 344 Fundamental Analysis of Securities
· FI 350 Portfolio Management
· FI 352 Technical Analysis of Securities
· FI 360 Behavioral Finance
· FI 428 Business Valuation
· FI 450 Practicum in Financial Planning
· FI 460 Real Estate
· FI 463 Real Estate Finance and Investment
· FI 497 Internship
· FI 498 A-ZZ Selected Topics in Finance
· FI 499 Directed Study in Finance
Any other FI courses for which the prerequisites have been satisfied.

General Electives (3 units)
Any 300- or 400-level course

CONCENTRATION IN ESTATE PLANNING

Required Tax Courses (12 units)
· TA 325 Estate and Gift Taxation
· TA 334 Estate Planning
· TA 337 Individual Retirement Plans and Distributions
· TA 344 Federal Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates

Finance Electives(6 units)
Two courses form the following list:
· FI 318 Venture Capital and Start-Up Financing
· FI 344 Fundamental Analysis of Securities
· FI 350 Portfolio Management
· FI 352 Technical Analysis of Securities
· FI 360 Behavioral Finance
· FI 428 Business Valuation
· FI 450 Practicum in Financial Planning
· FI 460 Real Estate
· FI 463 Real Estate Finance and Investment
· FI 497 Internship
· FI 498 A-ZZ Selected Topics in Finance
· FI 499 Directed Study in Finance
Any other FI courses for which the prerequisites have been satisfied.