Program summary
Program overview
Admission requirements
Program structure
Program requirements
Enquiries

Program summary

Award abbreviation: GDFinPlan
Degree type: postgraduate coursework program
Mode of study: online
Duration: ⅔ year minimum, 2 years maximum full-time; 1⅓ years minimum, 4 years maximum part-time
Fee type: domestic fee-paying places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
Commencement: online coursework programs run on a session basis, three times a year, commencing in February, June and October (Session 1, 2 and 3)
Program code: BU611
CRICOS code: this program is delivered online only. International students please note the online mode is not available for study in Australia on a student visa.

Program overview

The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning provides graduates with fundamental skills in financial planning, investment, risk management, and superannuation and taxation planning. In addition, the structure of the program allows you to select two courses according to your interest.

As a financial planner, on completion of this Graduate Diploma, you will have the skills to advise clients.

The Graduate Diploma is an eight-course program that builds on the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning and articulates into the Master of Financial Planning. The eight courses in the Graduate Diploma consist of six financial planning courses and two electives, which is equivalent to two-thirds of the Master of Financial Planning.

Professional membership

The University of the Sunshine Coast's courses are on the ASIC register of compliant training for financial advisors and the Financial Planning Association of Australia Ltd has approved the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning as a pathway to the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.

Admission requirements

Applicants who possess a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution or other formal qualifications acceptable to the Postgraduate Studies Financial Planning Committee, are able to apply.

Qualifications and experience and/or professional memberships may be approved as a suitable admission requirement into the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Applicants whose first language is other than English must demonstrate an appropriate level of English proficiency by providing evidence of one of the required qualifications.

Advanced standing

Courses completed elsewhere may count towards a student's qualification with us, with a maximum of four advanced standing courses granted in the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. For example, students can receive advanced standing for completed postgraduate studies and approved financial planning courses.

Program structure

The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning program comprises 6 required courses plus any 2 elective courses.

Required courses

Session 1, 2007 late February – early June

FIN710 Superannuation and Retirement Planning
FIN720 Financial and Investment Planning

Session 2, 2007 late June – early October

BUS704 Corporate Finance
FIN712 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning
FIN721 Risk Management and Insurance Planning

Session 3, 2007 late October – early February

BUS704 Corporate Finance
FIN711 Financial Plan Development, Consulting and Negotiation *

* FIN711 is a capstone course where a financial plan is completed as part of the assessment. FIN710 , FIN712 , FIN720 and FIN721 must be completed before attempting this course.

Elective courses

Session 1, 2007 late February – early June

ACC701 Accounting for Managers
BUS703 Research Methods for Managers
BUS705 Innovation and Entrepreneurship ***
BUS706 International Business Law and Ethics
MGT703 Strategic Management
MKG701 Marketing Management
FIN714 Financial Planning Project **

Session 2, 2007 late June – early October

BUS702 Economics for Managers
BUS705 Innovation and Entrepreneurship ***
BUS706 International Business Law and Ethics
INF701 Information Systems for Managers
MGT701 Managing Organisations
FIN714 Financial Planning Project **

Session 3, 2007 late October – early February

BUS705 Innovation and Entrepreneurship ***
MGT701 Managing Organisations #
MGT702 Managing People
MGT703 Strategic Management
MGT704 Global Business Management
MKG701 Marketing Management #
FIN714 Financial Planning Project **

Program requirements

Students are required to successfully complete 8 courses as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning structure. Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.

Enquiries

Coordinator Graduate Studies
Faculty of Business
Tel: +61 7 5459 4444
Fax: +61 7 5430 1231
Email: mfpenquiries@usc.edu.au