BS in HES, Consumer Sciences major with a concentration in Family Financial Planning

Through the College of Human Environmental Sciences, you may earn a bachelor's degree in Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Family Financial Planning and Counseling completely at a distance. Consumer Sciences is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on improving individual and family quality of life through the effective use of resources and informed consumer behavior. Students in this program develop a broad theoretical background in the social sciences, and learn to apply that knowledge toward the solution of practical problems of individual and family economic well-being.

The program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in financial planning or counseling. This concentration prepares students to work as financial planners, financial advisers, or financial extension educators in banks, insurance companies, social services, investment companies, or extension. Whereas financial planners help households capitilize on financial opportunities, financial counselors provide debt crisis management and budgeting advice to those who may be experiencing problems managing their personal finances.

The degree in Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Family Financial Planning and Counseling is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Therefore, students who successfully complete the concentration may sit for the CFP Certification Examination that leads to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™certification.

CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board). These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. The University of Alabama does not certify individuals to use the CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ marks. CFP® certification is granted solely by the CFP Board to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.