Degree requirements Sample curriculum

Students in this concentration study finance and economics as they apply to individuals, households, and small businesses in the course of accumulating and using financial resources.

Students are introduced to issues of credit management, insurance and other risk management strategies, saving and investing, retirement planning, and estate planning.

student smiling wearing an illinois shirt

Learn

Study principles of personal financial planning. Master core financial planning topic areas such as investments, tax, retirement, estate planning, higher education planning, general cash flow principles, and risk management. Learn the domains, process and ethical standards you need to become a financial planning professional.

Do

Compete in national financial planning competitions. Network at meetings of national associations such as the Financial Planning Association and the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants. Join an active financial planning club that brings professionals from a variety of backgrounds to campus for networking and educational events.

Advance

Graduate with the qualifications to sit for the Certified Financial Planner™ exam and, upon passing and meeting an experience requirement, hold the CFP® designation. Find work helping people as a CFP® professional as a wealth manager, investment advisor, insurance agent, or registered representative.

Sample Curriculum

Financial Planning
Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE) Major (10KL5136BS)

NOTE: This is merely a sample schedule. It is not the only schedule by which classes may be taken.

First Year

Fall Course & Hours   Spring Course & Hours  
ACE 100 4 ACE 161 3
ACES 101 2 RHET 105 or CMN 1011 3-4
RHET 105 or CMN 1011 3-4 MATH 124 or 2342 3-4
MATH 124 or 2202 3-4 ECON 103 3
Natural Sciences 3-5 Natural Sciences 3-5

1 An acceptable substitute is CMN 111/112 or [RHET 101/102 and CMN 101] or [ESL sequence and CMN 101].
2 Other acceptable math sequence is (MATH 220 and MATH 231).

Second Year

Fall Course & Hours   Spring Course & Hours  
ACCY 201* 3 ACE 300* 3
ACE 262** 3 ACE 264** 3
ACE 240* 3 Cultural Studies1 3
ACE 341 CFP 1 Humanities 3
ACE 349 or FIN 230 3 ACE or ACES Electives 3
Soc/Behavioral Sciences 3 Soc/Behavioral Sciences 3

*Prerequisites:
ACCY 201: ACE 100 or ECON 102 or ECON 103; credit for or concurrent enrollment in remaining ACE 100, ECON 102, or ECON 103
ACE 262: MATH 124
ACE 264: ACE 262 and MATH 124
ACE 240: Sophmore standing
ACE 300: ACE 100 or ECON 102
**Students who started ACE/FP in SP20 or earlier may meet their QR2 requirement with ACE 261 only, ACE 262/264, or ECON 202/203. Contact your advisor with any questions.

1 Students entering UIUC as of Summer 2018 or later have 3 cultural studies general education requirements.  Students entering prior to Summer 2018 have 2 cultural studies general education requirements.

Third Year

Fall Course & Hours   Spring Course & Hours  
ACE 345* 3 ACE 449* 3
ACE 346* 3 Humanities 3
ACE 445 4 Cultural Studies1 3
Advanced Composition 3 400 level intl. course2 3
Humanities 3    

* Prerequisites:
ACE 345: ACCY 201
ACE 346: Sophomore standing
ACE 445: ACE 240, ACE 300 or ECON 302, and junior standing: FIN 230 rec.
ACE 449: ACE 240, ACE 345, and ACE 300 or ECON 302 or instructor consent
ACE 476: ACE 300 or ECON 302, a course in statistics, and senior standing
1 Students entering UIUC as of Summer 2018 or later have 3 cultural studies general education requirements.  Students entering prior to Summer 2018 have 2 cultural studies general education requirements.

2 Choose from ACE 435, 436, 451, 452, or 455. May also be fulfilled by 3 hours of credit from studying abroad in an approved program.

Fourth Year

Fall Course & Hours   Spring Course & Hours  
ACE 444* 3 ACE 440* 3
ACE or ACES Electives 6+ ACE or ACES Electives 6+
Other Electives 6+ Other Electives 6+

* Prerequisites:
ACE 444: ACE 345, FIN 221, or FIN 300
ACE 440: Concurrent enrollment in or completion of ACE 345, ACE 346, ACE 444, and ACE 449.

Craig Lemoine, PhD
CFP® Director, Financial Planning Program

302C Mumford Hall
craiglem@illinois.edu

Request information
Craig Lemoine
Lindsay March
Academic Advisor

300B Mumford Hall
217-333-0942
lmarch@illinois.edu

Concentrations covered: Financial Planning and Public Policy and Law

Schedule an appointment
Lindsay March