Female financial planner in office consulting with a client.

Master’s (MS) in Financial Planning

100% Online, On-site, and Hybrid Study Options

The field of financial planning is growing exponentially, and as a result, the demand for financial planners who assist individuals in planning for their financial future, has greatly increased. This NEW 30-credit financial planning degree, offered by the NYU SPS Division of Programs in Business, is certified by the Financial Planner (CFP®) Board of Standards and prepares students for financial planning jobs in private practice, as well as in settings such as banks, investment firms, and wealth management firms. As large numbers of financial planners retire, a financial advisor career will become a path that can provide a competitive salary as well as great satisfaction in helping others. In fact, US News and World Report ranks financial planning among the best business jobs and best-paying jobs (12/2020). The MS in Financial Planning offers all of the benefits, resources, and prestige of earning your degree at NYU, while building financial planning and analysis skills that prepare you for a lucrative career.

Degree Advantage

  • 30 credits
  • 100% online, on-site, and hybrid degree options available
  • Can be completed in three semesters (Fall, Spring, Fall or Spring, Fall, Spring) of full time study
  • Flexible full- or part-time study options
  • Degree core curriculum that prepares you for financial planning jobs in a variety of settings
  • Degree concentrations in Behavioral Finance and in Financial Analytics
  • Exposes you to financial planning and analysis, as well
    as real-world case studies
  • Capstone course that integrates each of the major aspects of financial planning

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

You can find the full curriculum details for this program on this page of the University Bulletin. All other content, including this web page is for informational purposes only.

Information Sessions

Fireside Chat: From Financial Literacy to Financial Citizenship

Get a glimpse of the MS in Financial Planning by joining the NYU SPS Division of Programs in Business, Finance & Taxation, and the Schack Institute of Real Estate for this interactive discussion. Financial citizenship empowers individuals to make the best financial decisions concerning their lives and to play a significant role in the stewardship and governance of the economy, thereby fostering a sense of responsibility and involvement. NYU SPS faculty will address topics such as the national debt, fiscal policy, and monetary policy, which impact financial planning. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage and ask questions.

1:00 PM until 2:00 PM EDT


Discover NYU SPS: Graduate Admissions Information Session

Join an online session to learn more about our graduate degree programs, including the MS in Financial Planning. Our admissions team will give you insights into the NYU SPS experience, share details about the application process, and offer tips for creating a successful application. Current students will also share their personal experiences, providing a firsthand perspective on life as an SPS student. 

7:00 PM until 8:00 PM EDT

7:00 PM until 8:00 PM EST

7:00 PM until 8:00 PM EST

Who Should Consider Earning the Master’s in Financial Planning?

Earning the MS in Financial Planning is beneficial for both early career professionals and mid-career professionals, who will be prepared with strong analytical skills to enter the industry. Those who have studied finance, economics, accounting, law, and business, and who enjoy working with people would do well in a career that involves personal financial planning. While some financial planners are able to learn skills on the job, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that a master’s degree can improve a personal financial advisor’s chances of moving into a management position and attracting new clients.

Message from the Faculty Leader

The MS in Financial Planning program at New York University is designed for those aspiring to build a career in personal financial planning and wealth advisory services. With job growth in this field projected at 13% over the next decade—significantly faster than the average for all occupations (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)—now is an ideal time to enter this dynamic and rewarding profession.

Toshiaki Mitsudome

Featured Faculty

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Toshiaki Mitsudome

Clinical Professor

Finance and Taxation

Charla M Coleman

Adjunct Instructor

Finance and Taxation

Colin M Slabach

Clinical Assistant Professor

Finance and Taxation

Personal financial advisors (financial planners) typically need a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree and certification can improve one’s chances for advancement in the occupation. US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Gain Skills to Work in Corporate Settings and Private Practice

Not sure whether you would like to work for a company/ organization or start your own financial planning practice? This degree prepares you for both options. Gain the skills to work as part of a larger team as well as the knowledge and business acumen to pursue a career that provides you with the opportunity to make your own hours and choose the clients whom you would like to serve.

Explore Degree Concentrations That Provide the Professional Advantage

Meticulously researched to ensure relevancy in the evolving, data-driven financial landscape, the MS in Financial Planning provides concentrations in the areas of Behavioral Finance and Financial Analytics that will set you apart by building skills and knowledge in emerging areas of the field. You’ll be prepared to understand the psychological and emotional factors that drive financial decision-making and have the option to delve deep into the financial analysis that affords a look at key trends.

Learn From Financial Planning Experts

Those teaching in the MS in Financial Planning are industry experts, with years of experience in the field. They impart the knowledge you need now in the form of immediately applicable skills, which you can use on the job. In addition, they provide the underlying guidelines for becoming a well-rounded, effective, and ethical financial planner—information and advice that will serve you during the entire span of your career.

Career and Job Opportunities

As a student enrolled in the MS in Financial Planning, you will receive expert career advice from faculty members in the program, and the award-winning NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS. You’ll also have the opportunity to join a cohort of students from a wide variety of cultural and professional backgrounds, which allows for enriched classroom discussion and networking opportunities.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a certification associated with the M.S. in Financial Planning?

What is financial planning?

What does a financial planner actually do?

Why pursue a career in financial planning?

Why earn an MS in Financial Planning at NYU SPS?

What financial planning courses are available through this degree?

What types of financial planning jobs are available?

Is a career in financial planning rewarding?