Master of Science in Financial Planning and Taxation
An innovative degree designed for financial planners who have already passed the CFP® examination and wish to reinforce key planning skills, increase their expertise in the areas of taxation or estate planning, and add the academic weight of a graduate certificate and a master's degree to their professional credentials.
ProGRAM Highlights
The MS FP&T is a 10-course degree built around the Graduate Certificate in the Taxation or the Graduate Certificate in Estate Planning, depending on your concentration.
Partnering with the nationally-known GGU Braden School of Tax, GGU'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.
Using our innovative on-line platform, it is possible to complete the requirements for our MS degrees without ever setting foot in class (although you can also mix and match online and in-class courses in combinations that are most convenient for you). Online courses present the same material, taught by the same professors, that you would experience in the classroom but with the added convenience of being able to ask questions, make comments, and confer with your classmates 24-hours a day, from your home or office.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students entering this program have already passed the Certified Financial Planner™ examination, so financial planning program objectives that relate to the CFP® exam are replaced by objectives that reflect the more advanced and specialized nature of this degree.
Graduates of the MS Financial Planning & Taxation degree program will possess the following knowledge, skills abilities, and values:
- Knowledge of essential tax principles and doctrines and the application of these principles to practical situations.
- The ability to identify tax issues, to research these issues, and to communicate effectively the results orally and in writing.
- Interpersonal skills necessary to maintain successful client relationships and to work effectively with colleagues, individually or in teams.
- The quantitative, analytical, and technical skills needed to address complex financial situations.
- The ability to apply their knowledge to real-world problems in financial planning.
- Knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment in which financial planning occurs and familiarity with relevant licensing, reporting, and compliance requirements.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The MS in financial planning and taxation (MSFPT) is a 10-course degree built around the graduate certificate in taxation or the graduate certificate in estate planning, depending on the student’s concentration (see p. 54 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 found in the course schedule.
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® examination provides adequate evidence of appropriate preparation for advanced study in financial planning and taxation.
TUITION
Ageno School of Business Courses: $2,520 per 3-unit course
Tuition varies for other courses. See Tuition & Fees for details.
Locations
This program is offered at the following locations: San Francisco , Online .
Advanced Program — 30 units
Core Courses — 12 units
Concentrations — 18 units
Students choose one of the following concentrations for 18 units:
Estate Planning Concentration — 18 units
A structured graduate concentration program designed to prepare CFP-certificated students for a career in Estate planning and gift taxation.
The concentration in Estate Planning gives CFP students an intimate knowledge of estate law, such as lifetime gifting, marital deduction planning, and alternate forms of wealth transfer. In addition to estate planning, graduates with this concentration learn about dealing with the financial aspects of individual retirement plans and the laws surrounding taxation of trusts and estates as well as the interpersonal skills needed when dealing with such sensitive issues as estate planning and personal finance.
Required Courses — 12 units
- TA 325
- State and Gift Taxation
- TA 334
- Federal Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates
- TA 337
- Individual Retirement Plans and Distributions
- TA 344
- Federal Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates
Electives — 6 units
Take any two 300- or 400-level FI prefix courses. We recommend you choose from among the following courses:
- 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
- Selected Topics in Finance
- FI 499
- Directed Study in Finance
Any other FI courses for which the prerequisites have been satisfied.
Taxation Concentration — 18 units
A customizable graduate degree concentration designed to prepare CFP-certificated students for success in taxation.
Students who undertake the concentration in taxation will gain expert knowledge of taxation practices and policies. Paired with tax courses are a number of finance classes, which will provide students with a solid base in financial analysis and planning. Paired together, these course offerings allow graduates a firm grasp of both finance and taxes, so that they can implement a financial plan and understand exactly how taxation factors into all the varied aspects.
Required Courses — 6 units
Electives — 12 units
Finance Electives — 6 units
Take any two 300- or 400-level FI prefix courses. We recommend that students choose from among the following courses:
- 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 AZZ
- Selected Topics in Finance
- FI 499
- Directed Study in Finance
Any other FI courses for which the prerequisites have been satisfied
Tax Electives — 3 units
Any course (3 units) with a TA prefix
General Elective — 3 units
Any 300- or 400- level course (3 units)
FINANCE AND ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT
Golden Gate University's instructors are what sets us apart from similar institutions. Most of our faculty are professionals working in their fields of expertise. They bring their firsthand experiences and knowledge to the classroom, incorporating cutting-edge practices from the business and legal communities.