Financial Planning and Wealth Management (FPWM) Track

The MSF-FPWM track is suitable for students seeking careers in the fast-growing areas of wealth management and financial planning. Wealth management is an enormous industry world-wide, and financial advisory services in tax planning, investment planning, insurance planning, and retirement and estate planning have been growing rapidly. Students with this background may be hired by firms specializing in personal financial advising, commercial banks, insurance companies, wealth management firms, brokerage firms and other financial services firms.

Students pursuing this track receive the MS in Finance degree, which is a STEM-certified program. The MSF-FPWM curriculum meets the education requirements of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards, which is a standard of excellence in this industry. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the CFP Exam. The curriculum has been designed in consultation with industry professionals (see Advisory Board below) to provide students with a thorough understanding of these specialized topics.

We present below a recommended course schedule for full-time students entering the MSF-FPWM track in the fall semester who plan to graduate in 18 months. The course schedule below represents the optimal sequencing of courses by ensuring that students complete the foundational courses before taking advanced electives. However, students may choose their own pace through the program. All the courses listed below are required for the MSF-FPWM track.

Financial Planning and Wealth Management

Recommended Course Schedule

Students pursuing the FPWM track automatically earn the Wealth Management Certificate.

Semester Course Credit Hours
FALL (Year 1) 12
1st half only: Managerial Finance (6A35) 1.5
2nd half only: Capital Markets (7A20) 1.5
Full Semester: Principles of Financial Planning (7344) 3
Individual Taxation (7345) 3
Personal Risk Management (7346) 3
SPRING (Year 1) 10.5
2nd half only: Portfolio Theory and Practice (7A23)* 1.5
Full Semester: Investment & Portfolio Management Project I (7324) 3
Investment & Portfolio Management Project II (7325) 3
Retirement Planning (7347) 3
FALL (Year 2) 7.5
2nd half only: Banking and Credit Analysis (7A42) 1.5
Full Semester: Estate Planning (7348) 3
Capstone in Personal Financial Planning (7349) 3
Total Program Credits: 30

*: Can also fit this in Fall of Year 2

Wealth Management

Advisory Board

The Wealth Management Advisory Board consists of successful industry professionals who are highly committed to the Bauer MSF program. The primary roles of the advisory board are to: (1) give us inputs on the wealth management curriculum; and (2) facilitate industry contacts and networks for MSF students to help them with their internships and placement. The current members of the Wealth Management advisory board are as follows:

Kristen Habich, Managing Director and Market Manager, J. P. Morgan
Phillip Hamman, President and CEO, Linscomb Williams
James Hong, Founding Principal, Hong Financial
William (Bill) Hurt, Senior Managing Director, U.S. Capital Advisors
Scott Jackson, Head of Wealth Management/Portfolio Manager, Doliver Capital Advisors
Nick Johnson, Vice President, Willis Johnson & Associates
Hal Lynde, Managing Director-Investments, Raymond James
Rafael Martinez, Vice President, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Alexander Nuno, Senior Vice President, Comerica Wealth Management
John Osborn, Founding Partner, The Pension Professionals
Cully Platt, Managing Director, Bank of America
Alex Reznikov, Senior Vice President-Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors
Trey Wilkinson, President and CEO, Trinity Legacy Partners