Master of Financial Planning

Graduates of the Master of Financial Planning will have:

• Advanced theoretical and technical financial planning knowledge in the areas such as financial markets, investments, taxation, risk management, retirement and estate planning and behavioural finance
• Understanding of the principles and methods that underpin research within the financial planning field
• Sound understanding of ethical principles, standards and practices in the financial planning profession.

Upon completion of the program, career opportunities exist in the financial services industry (namely, banks, funds management and financial planning companies) in various roles including client services officers, authorised representatives, financial advisers and para-planners.

Professional recognition

Graduates meeting the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) curriculum requirements will be eligible for admission to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Program delivered by the FPA. The CFP Certification Program is the globally recognised standard of excellence in financial planning.

Graduates will also be eligible for advanced standing for four of the educational components of the program and can complete the CFP® Capstone course (CFP C) as an elective as a part of their program. As a result, Griffith University students will earn a professional designation alongside their degree, making a significant saving in time and cost. Please note, professional association membership and work experience requirements apply. To find out more about the CFP® Certification Program visit fpa.com.au/cfp and to start your enrolment in CFP C contact education@fpa.com.au. On completion of CFP C, please submit a credit transfer application.

Tax Practitioners Board

The courses 7106AFE Income Tax Law and 7161AFE Applied Taxation have been approved together by the Tax Practitioners Board as a Course in Australian Taxation Law that is required for Tax Agents and Tax (Financial) Advisers. Note that these courses are recognised for both Tax Agents and Tax (Financial) Advisers, and are only listed on the Tax Agent list being the highest qualification.

The Code of Professional Conduct requirements in the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA) are covered in 7106AFE and 7161AFE. Note that 7106AFE and 7161AFE are recognised for both Tax Agents and Tax (Financial) Advisers, but are only listed on the Tax Agent list being the highest qualification.

Graduates may be eligible for membership with the following professional bodies:

• Association of Financial Advisers (AFA)
• Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) Association

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Financial Planning, a student must:

• hold a related Bachelor degree (or equivalent) from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale), OR
• hold any Bachelor degree (or higher) from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale), and a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant work experience, OR
• hold a Griffith Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale). Students with a Griffith Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning will receive 40 credit points of advanced standing, OR
• hold a Griffith Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale). Students with a Griffith Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning will receive 80 credit points of advanced standing towards the program under a structured upgrading program arrangement. Further credit in addition to that awarded on the basis of advanced standing is not available.

English Proficiency Requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 

• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 

• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies. 

The Master of Financial Planning provides the high level knowledge and skills required of the modern financial adviser to start and progress their career. This includes coverage of the practice and theory of financial planning including financial markets, investments, risk management, taxation, retirement and estate planning, and behavioural finance.

You will graduate with a degree accredited under the standards set out by the Financial Adviser Standards.

The program has a foundation component (Graduate Certificate) which allows those without a prior degree in financial planning and those looking for a career change to participate. Those with qualifications and experience in the field can also enter the program and progress to the advanced level study.

Griffith University offers a range of flexible delivery modes online. Find out more about our Financial Planning programs.

Recommended Study Pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Ethics and Professionalism

• Behavioural Finance and Wealth Management

• PG Business Internship I

• Financial Planning Fundamentals

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Master of Financial Planning (MFinPlan), a student must acquire 120 credit points as prescribed below:

Pathway 1 (Students who hold a related degree (or equivalent) and are seeking to meet FASEA Financial Adviser Curriculum requirements)

• gain 120 credit points for prescribed courses

Pathway 2 (Students who hold an accredited degree)

• gain 60 credit points for prescribed courses;
• gain 60 credit points for listed electives.

Pathway 3 (students admitted with 40 credit points of Advanced Standing

To be eligible for the award of Master of Financial Planning (MFinPlan), a student admitted with 40 credit points of advanced standing must acquire 80 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 70 credit points for prescribed courses;
• gain 10 credit points for a listed elective.

Pathway 4 (students admitted with 80 credit points of Advanced Standing

To be eligible for the award of Master of Financial Planning (MFinPlan), a student admitted with 80 credit points of advanced standing must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 40 credit points for listed electives.

Exit Points

To be eligible to exit the Master of Financial Planning with the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning award, a student must acquire the 40 credit points from Pathway 1.

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words 'This award was achieved with Distinction' will be recorded on the testamur.