Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning

What is this course about?

CSU's Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning develops the skills necessary for students to pursue careers as financial planning professionals.

Why study this course?

The Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning provides students with the opportunities to obtain the educational and competency skills necessary to operate as leading financial planning professionals for the 21st Century. As this industry expands rapidly, the knowledge and skill levels required to be successful financial planners is expected to expand significantly.

Students completing the course can elect to continue their studies by enrolling in the Master of Applied Finance.

Professional recognition

Completion of appropriate subjects in the Graduate Certificate provides the necessary skill set to be eligible for RG146 compliance in accordance with the requirements of the  Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Flexibility

Our flexible learning environment allows students to study this course on-line  from anywhere in the world.  Subjects are taught using a range of blended learning techniques designed to facilitate communication and collaboration among students and academics. Online techniques include electronics reading and  relevant study materials, online meetings  and subject forums.  

Full time and part time study options are available to fit in with work and lifestyle commitments.  Students can choose to study just one subject a session, or with approval, fast-track completion by studying up to four subjects a session.

Career opportunities

CSU's Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning provides graduates with many exciting career opportunities in the financial services sector. Financial planners provide advice on investments, insurance retirement and life planning.

Employment opportunities include:

• banks
• credit unions
• mutual banks
• insurance companies
• financial planning firms

Course structure

The Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning consists of four subjects, including one core subject and three restricted electives.

More information about the course structure

Graduation requirements

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 32 points (four subjects).

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Credit / pathways

Students who have studied and successfully completed relevant subjects at other universities or educational institutions may apply for credit for those subjects when applying to CSU courses. Credit will be granted for subjects that are equivalent in content and standard, at the discretion of the Course Director.

More information about credit and pathways.

Admission requirements

Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution, or a qualification deemed to be equivalent. Applicants with other academic and/or professional qualifications and/or work experience acceptable to the University will be considered.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

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