Learn Personal Finance, Plan Your Future

Students eligible: Current University of Illinois students
Semesters of course offerings: Spring, Fall
Program length: 11 or 12 credit hours (Complete in as little as two semesters)
Format: All courses are offered in-person

  • In-person and Online: ACE240 Personal Financial Planning

The Certificate in Personal Finance enhances students' financial literacy, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills before graduation. This certificate empowers students to apply personal finance principles early in life, which are crucial for building wealth and achieving their life goals.

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Program Highlights

 

Skills You Will Learn

Upon completing this certificate, you will:

  • Understand how personal values influence financial decisions and long-term goals.
  • Understand the principles of personal finance, including risk management and insurance products.
  • Generate personal financial goals and create strategic plans to achieve them.
  • Evaluate current research on personal finance topics.

Courses

The Personal Finance Certificate is an 11 to 12-credit-hour program consisting of two required courses and four elective courses. To earn the certificate, students must complete the two required courses, along with one elective from the Additional Personal Finance Courses category and one from the Risk Management category.

To earn this certificate, you'll complete the following: 

Required Courses (6 credit hours)

  • ACE 240 – Personal Financial Planning 
    • 3 credits (fall, spring)
  • ACE 241 – Advanced Personal Finance 
    • 3 credits (spring)

Elective courses for the certificate: (5 – 6 credit hours)

  • Additional Personal Finance Courses 
    • ACE 242 – Women, Money & Power
      • 2 credits (spring)
    • ACE 243 – Money & Happiness
      • 3 credits (fall)
  • Risk Management
    • ACE 349 – Risk Management & Financial Planning Across the Life Cycle 
      • 3 credits (spring)
    • ACE 222 – Agricultural Marketing 
      • 3 credits (fall)

Start Certificate

Express your interest in pursuing a certificate. Once accepted, you will receive an email with further instructions for registration.

Start certificate

Complete Certificate

Upon completing your required coursework, you will need to submit a completion request for your certificate. 

Confirm completion

Tapiwa Sigauke
Teaching Assistant Professor

427 Mumford Hall

(217) 300-8102

Tapiwa Sigauke headshot