Master of Financial Planning
Learn to grow the wealth of others while growing your own career. Become a master in planning for the ultimate financial success of your clients – from superannuation to retirement, investment, tax advice and more.
About the Course
The Master of Financial Planning provides the high level knowledge and skills required of the modern financial adviser to start and progress their career. This includes coverage of the practice and theory of financial planning including financial markets, investments, risk management, taxation, retirement and estate planning, and behavioural finance.
You will graduate with a degree accredited under the standards set out by the Financial Adviser Standards.
The program has a foundation component (Graduate Certificate) which allows those without a prior degree in financial planning and those looking for a career change to participate. Those with qualifications and experience in the field can also enter the program and progress to the advanced level study.
Griffith University offers a range of flexible delivery modes online. Find out more about our Financial Planning programs.
Course Entry Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Financial Planning, a student must:
- Hold a related Bachelor degree (or equivalent) from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale), OR
- Hold any Bachelor degree (or higher) from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale), and a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant work experience, OR
- Hold a Griffith Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale). Students with a Griffith Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning will receive 40 credit points of advanced standing, OR
- Hold a Griffith Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale). Students with a Griffith Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning will receive 80 credit points of advanced standing towards the program under a structured upgrading program arrangement. Further credit in addition to that awarded on the basis of advanced standing is not available.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:
- A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
- OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
- OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
- OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
- OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
- OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.
English test results must be no more than two years old.
Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.
Course Structure
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:
- Ethics and Professionalism
- Behavioural Finance and Wealth Management
- PG Business Internship I
- Financial Planning Fundamentals
Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Award requirements
To be eligible for the award of Master of Financial Planning (MFinPlan), a student must acquire 120 credit points as prescribed below:
Pathway 1 (Students who hold a related degree (or equivalent) and are seeking to meet FASEA Financial Adviser Curriculum requirements)
- gain 120 credit points for prescribed courses
Pathway 2 (Students who hold an accredited degree)
- gain 60 credit points for prescribed courses;
- gain 60 credit points for listed electives.
Pathway 3 (students admitted with 40 credit points of Advanced Standing
To be eligible for the award of Master of Financial Planning (MFinPlan), a student admitted with 40 credit points of advanced standing must acquire 80 credit points as prescribed below:
- gain 80 credit points for prescribed courses.
Pathway 4 (students admitted with 80 credit points of Advanced Standing
To be eligible for the award of Master of Financial Planning (MFinPlan), a student admitted with 80 credit points of advanced standing must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:
- gain 40 credit points for listed electives.
Exit points
To be eligible to exit the Master of Financial Planning with the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning award, a student must acquire the 40 credit points from Pathway 1.
This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words 'This award was achieved with Distinction' will be recorded on the testamur.
Graduates of the Master of Financial Planning will have:
- Advanced theoretical and technical financial planning knowledge in the areas such as financial markets, investments, taxation, risk management, retirement and estate planning and behavioural finance
- Understanding of the principles and methods that underpin research within the financial planning field
- Sound understanding of ethical principles, standards and practices in the financial planning profession.
