EMU Today

YPSILANTI — In response to the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the financial planning industry, Eastern Michigan University is launching a new academic offering: the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Financial Planning and Wealth Management. The University’s Board of Regents approved the new program at its April 18 meeting. 

The financial planning industry is growing significantly, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 13% increase in employment for personal financial advisors from 2022 to 2032. The program addresses this demand by providing students with a comprehensive curriculum that prepares them for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) examination and fosters a holistic understanding of financial well-being.

"We are excited to offer this specialized program that will provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving financial planning industry,” said Kenneth Lord, dean of the College of Business at EMU. “The BBA in Financial Planning and Wealth Management aligns with our commitment to providing students with practical, marketable skills that prepare them for successful careers."

The program distinguishes itself from other financial planning and wealth management programs by integrating philosophy and social work coursework, including business ethics and social welfare policies courses. This interdisciplinary approach enables students to better understand the socioeconomic and sociocultural factors influencing financial inequities, thus better serving a diverse clientele within the financial planning field.

The curriculum covers essential topics such as wealth management, estate planning, risk and insurance, investment strategies, and tax planning. Interdisciplinary elements are integrated to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience, including asset allocation, retirement income planning, estate tax considerations, and ethical financial practices. The program closely aligns with CFP certification requirements, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the CFP examination. It will be offered in a hybrid format.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.