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Schwab Investment Advances Financial Planning Education at Rutgers School of Business–Camden

Charting a New Course for Financial Planning Education

A transformative gift from Schwab Advisor Services in partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation is laying the foundation for a new undergraduate financial planning program at Rutgers School of Business-Camden (RSBC), expanding access to a high-growth profession and strengthening New Jersey’s financial services talent pipeline.

Since 2020, RSBC has built a comprehensive ecosystem of financial planning education. This ecosystem includes its CFP Board Registered Online MS in Finance-Financial Planning Program, an MS in Finance-Financial Planning/Master of Accountancy Accelerated Path Program, a 4+1 Accelerated Bachelors/MS in Finance-Financial Planning Program, and the Pathway to Financial Planning career development program. To broaden access across Rutgers University, RSBC also established the Rutgers Wealth Management, Advising, and Planning (MAP) Community, serving as a shared home for students interested in wealth management and financial planning.

These efforts reached an important milestone on February 27, 2026, when industry leaders, alumni, and students gathered for the inaugural Rutgers Wealth MAP Symposium – a day of learning, mentorship, and professional engagement focused on the future of financial planning.

The new multi-year partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation marks the next phase of this evolution. This investment underwrites a new undergraduate financial planning program and funds several complementary initiatives, including expanded access to financial planning education, the development of a personal financial decision-making curriculum, the creation of a state-of-the-art classroom, a financial planning clinic pilot program, and continued growth of the Pathway to Financial Planning program.

“Given the industry’s growing demand for young talent and the rapid disruption caused by AI, now is the time to build a premier undergraduate program at Rutgers University,” said David Pedersen, Associate Professor of Finance and Director of Financial Planning Programs at RSBC. “This transformational gift from Charles Schwab allows us to chart a new course for financial planning education in the State of New Jersey by expanding access, deepening experiential learning, and preparing students for a rapidly evolving profession.”

“Financial planning is built on trust and a commitment to helping people secure their futures. Our partnership with RSBC expands access to top‑tier education and hands‑on learning for the next generation of advisors,” said Jon Beatty, Head of Schwab Advisor Services. “We’re proud to support a program that opens doors for students who will bring new perspectives, skills, and energy to a rapidly growing industry that needs them now more than ever.”

“At Rutgers–Camden, our focus begins and ends with students,” said Monica Adya, Dean of RSBC. “This transformative investment from Schwab allows us to open doors to a profession that offers strong career mobility and long-term impact, particularly for our first-generation and New Jersey–based students who may not have previously seen financial planning as a viable pathway. We are proud to create opportunities that help our students thrive while strengthening our communities and contributing to the economic vitality of the state.”

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BLDP Executive Shadowing Application v2

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Student Information

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Shadowing

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Signatures

If I am chosen and matched with an executive, I will follow through and prepare a one-page report giving honest feedback about the experience. The written summary is due by the start of the next semester. By typing my name in the box to the right I am offering my digital signature in lieu of my handwritten signature.

After the shadowing event, I will write a personal thank you letter to the executive and copy Dr. Kaufman-Scarborough and Ms. Bridget Britton for their records. By typing my name in the box to the right I am offering my digital signature in lieu of my handwritten signature.

After notified of a match, students are responsible for providing personal information to the matched executive (e.g., current resume and cover letter with information on career ambitions). The information on this application is for internal use only, for us to match you as well as possible with and executive from among our alumni database.

BLDP Application

The Spring 2023 Application is now open! 

Priority will be given to applications received by November 18. Applications are accepted until all seats are filled. Space is limited, so apply early!

The seminar application process is our gateway for entry into the program. Upon acceptance into BLDP, students will be emailed their acceptance letter plus a special permission number allowing registration for the BLDP seminar.

Requirements

Seminar applications are solicited each semester and require the following:

  1. Completed application form (at the bottom of this page),
  2. For students with GPA 3.0 – 3.49, two (2) letters of recommendation (one academic; one other)

Rutgers-Camden students are invited to apply to apply for enrollment in the BLDP seminar. All applicants are expected to meet both of the following selection criteria:  (1) have sophomore standing or above and (2) have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. First-semester transfer students will be evaluated based on their GPA earned at Rutgers. Students who fail to meet these admission criteria may still be allowed to apply for (and possibly enroll in) the BLDP seminar, but they will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The director balances evaluations to make final decisions on people accepted for the seminar (up to a maximum of 15-20 each semester).

Students who are admitted to the BDLP are required to adopt the BLDP Code of Conduct. A signed contract is required from each student.

Students may count activities toward “leadership units” that were initiated prior to taking a seminar, as long as those activities occured primarily during their enrollment in their academic program.

Application for Admission to BLDP Seminar

Applications for the BLDP Seminar will be ongoing until class is filled.

BLDP Program Application

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  • Contact Information

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  • In your own words (100-350), discuss the reasons why your application should be considered for the Business Leader Development Program, including what you hope to gain from the program and what you can contribute.

  • Additional Submission Instructions

  • If you need to submit two reference letters, please email them to ldrshp@camden.rutgers.edu. Ideally, you should receive one letter from an academic source (e.g., a former or current instructor), and one from a business source (e.g., a former employer - even if for a part-time or volunteer position).

    Please only submit one application. If you experience any technical problems or need to submit the application again, please contact ldrshp@camden.rutgers.edu.

    Thank you.