- Program summary
- Program overview
- Admission requirements
- Program structure
- Program requirements and notes
- Enquiries
Program summary
Program title: Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning
Award abbreviation: GDFinPlan
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: online
Duration: 8 months minimum, 2 years maximum full-time; 16 months minimum, 4 years maximum part-time.
Commence: Session 1, Session 4 or Session 8
Fee type 2010: online postgraduate coursework places, international online fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
USC program code: BU611
CRICOS code: Not available to international students 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
Course(s) completed elsewhere may count towards a student's qualification with the University of the Sunshine Coast. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Program structure
The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning program comprises 6 required courses plus any 2 elective courses.
Required courses
Session 3, 2009 26 October–14 February 2010
FIN712 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
FIN711 Independent Study †
Session 1, 2010 11 January–25 April *
FIN710 Professional Learning I
FIN720 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Session 4, 2010 3 May–15 August
BUS704 Taxation Planning and Estate Planning
FIN721 Financial Plan Development, Consulting and Negotiation
† FIN711 is a capstone course. FIN720 and either FIN710 or FIN712 must be completed before attempting this course.
* Session 3, 2009 will overlap with session 1, 2010. If you are affected by this overlap please contact the Faculty of Business (contact details below).
Elective courses
Session 3, 2009 26 October–14 February 2010
ACC701 Superannuation and Retirement Planning
BUS702 Financial and Investment Planning
MGT701 Corporate Finance
MKG701 Risk Management and Insurance Planning
FIN714 Accounting for Managers **
Session 1, 2010 11 January–25 April
ACC701 Economics for Managers
BUS703 Managing Organisations **
BUS705 Marketing Management ^
BUS706 Financial Planning Project
INF701 Accounting for Managers
MKG701 Managing Research
FIN714 Innovation and Entrepreneurship **
Session 4, 2010 3 May–15 August
MGT702 International Business Law and Ethics
MGT703 Management Informatics ^
MGT704 Marketing Management
FIN714 Financial Planning Project **
** FIN714 is a prerequisite of BUS703 with at least a credit grade.
^ BUS705 and MGT703 are integrative courses which draw on a wide range of theories and practices covered in other courses in the program. Where possible, BUS705 and MGT703 should be undertaken towards the end of the MFinPlan program.
Program requirements
- Students are required to successfully complete 8 courses as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning program structure.
- Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Not available to international students on a Student Visa.
Enquiries
Faculty of Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1221
Fax: +61 7 5430 1231
Email: businessfaculty@usc.edu.au