Online MS in Finance–Financial Planning
Frequently Asked Questions
The Master of Science in Finance–Financial Planning (MSF) program at Rutgers School of Business–Camden is 100% online. The program is a 30-credit graduate degree program that prepares students to succeed in the field of financial planning .
Curriculum and Course Requirements
Thirty (30) credit hours
The curriculum has seven core courses (21 credits) and 3 elective courses (9 credits). Moreover, our specialization options in Fintech in financial planning and Leadership in financial planning provide students with the opportunity to craft a set of electives to help students advance in their financial planning careers.
Upon acceptance of your admission, you will be assigned an Academic Advisor. Your Advisor will set-up a course plan for you prior to registration.
The curriculum will be delivered 100% online through asynchronous coursework.
Yes. Some MSF courses are offered in the Rutgers–Camden Online MBA and MSBA, as well as the Modern Financial Technologies (FinTech) and Investment & Private Wealth Management Graduate Certificates.
The MSF program follows a traditional semester calendar, with fall classes starting in September, spring classes starting in January, and summer classes starting in May each year. You can start the program at the beginning of any semester.
NOTE: Full-time students should plan to start either in the fall or summer semesters.
The curriculum will be delivered online through asynchronous courses. Depending on the structure, classes will consist of asynchronous elements, such as recorded lectures, readings, discussion boards, cases, and other materials that the student completes or contributes to each week. Synchronous elements may also be incorporated, such as live lectures and office hours, homework help, etc. Quizzes, exams, assignments, and other assessments will need to be completed according to the stated guidelines of each course.
The MSF degree requires 30 graduate credits for graduation. Full-time students may obtain the degree in just 12 months, while part-time students have up to 5 years to complete the degree requirements.
Each course in the MSF is worth 3 credits. You should plan to spend approximately 7 to 10 hours each week, on average, to complete course requirements. The amount of time needed will vary as a function of prior preparation and aptitude.
No, there is no in-person residency required. The degree can be completed fully online.
General Questions
Yes, our program is fully accredited by the AACSB International, which is the premier accrediting organization for business programs.
Rutgers is the 8th oldest university in the nation. We are the leading state university in New Jersey, spanning three campuses, including Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick, with over 65,000 current students and over 500,000 alumni worldwide.
The financial planning industry is undergoing a significant transformation due to an aging workforce, ongoing technological innovations, and shifting demographics. These forces are fostering demand for fresh talent in financial advice and financial planning leadership.
Yes. As a student matriculated in the MSF program, you will have full access to the Rutgers-Camden Career Center, including career fairs and resume workshops.
Application Process
For domestic students, applications are due August 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring, and May 1 for Summer.
You need to provide:
- A four-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited university
- Original transcripts from your undergraduate university. Transcripts must be in English, show the title of the degree earned, the date the degree was conferred, the Cumulative GPA, and the Credit Hours earned.
- Two letters of recommendation (from professors or professional colleagues) *
- Résumé
- Personal statement describing why you are applying to the program
* Note: An automatic email will be sent to your listed recommenders from the Office of Admissions (grad_help@gradadm.rutgers.edu). When requesting the letter from your recommender, please make them aware of the email from admissions and have them include the following in the letter:
- Your current position, company affiliation, telephone number, and email address (preferably official email address).
- How long and in what capacity did you know the applicant?
Please Note: If your transcript does not meet the above criteria, Rutgers School of Business–Camden (RSBC) REQUIRES a course-by-course evaluation, including the above information and transcripts, from a NACES accredited agency.
The purpose of the credential evaluation report is to accurately convert each of your course grades and the cumulative GPA (CGPA) to the U.S. grade equivalencies and to validate the authenticity of the documents. This eliminates the need to obtain official, English translated documents/transcripts from your home institution(s) to the U.S. university, saving you time and money.
Rutgers School of Business–Camden accepts academic evaluation reports from any of the following the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services® (NACES) members.
- SpanTran – Rutgers University Camden: Divisional Course Analysis Evaluation (Divisional Course by Course
*Note: Our recommended international transcript evaluation service when applying for a graduate program at Rutgers University-Camden. Use this SpanTran link, customized to be sure you select the right kind of evaluation at the discounted rate. - World Education Services (WES): Course-by-Course International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP)
Please have the completed evaluation sent to e-transcripts@camden.rutgers.edu or by courier to:
Rutgers University
Attn: Graduate Admissions
406 Penn Street
Camden, NJ 08102
Please note that this process can take up to six weeks to complete.
Unofficial transcripts can be used for admissions review. Upon admittance to the program, you will need to supply official transcripts.
Rutgers School of Business–Camden (RSBC) reserves the right to request an applicant to have their transcript evaluated by a NACES accredited agency.
Yes, please see below.
English Language Proficiency
Students will need to submit proof of English language proficiency, if their undergraduate education was completed in a non-English speaking country. Rutgers–Camden accepts the following documentation:
- TOEFL: 550 PBT/ 79 IBT
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 115
- Completion of a pre-approved intensive English language program
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts are required from each post-secondary school attended. Undergraduate transcripts must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, showing 120 credits. ALL transcripts MUST be in English and include the following information:
- Accreditation status of the institution
- Title of the degree earned
- Date the degree was conferred
- Cumulative GPA
- Credit hours earned
Please Note: If your transcript does not meet the above criteria, Rutgers School of Business–Camden (RSBC) REQUIRES a course-by-course evaluation, including the above information and transcripts, from a NACES accredited agency.
The purpose of the credential evaluation report is to accurately convert each of your course grades and the cumulative GPA (CGPA) to the U.S. grade equivalencies and to validate the authenticity of the documents. This eliminates the need to obtain official, English translated documents/transcripts from your home institution(s) to the U.S. university, saving you time and money.
Rutgers School of Business–Camden accepts academic evaluation reports from any of the following the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services® (NACES) members.
- SpanTran – Rutgers University Camden: Divisional Course Analysis Evaluation (Divisional Course by Course
*NOTE: Our recommended international transcript evaluation service when applying for a graduate program at Rutgers University-Camden. Use this SpanTran link, customized to be sure you select the right kind of evaluation at the discounted rate.
- World Education Services (WES): Course-by-Course International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP)
Please have the completed evaluation sent to e-transcripts@camden.rutgers.edu or by courier to:
Rutgers University
Attn: Graduate Admissions
406 Penn Street
Camden, NJ 08102
Please note that this process can take up to six weeks to complete.
Unofficial transcripts can be used for admissions review. Upon admittance to the program, you will need to supply official transcripts.
Rutgers School of Business–Camden (RSBC) reserves the right to request an applicant to have their transcript evaluated by a NACES accredited agency.
GMAT or GRE scores are NOT required for the MSF-Wealth Management Program.
Work experience is not needed to apply, but it may be looked upon favorably for your application.
A four-year bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited university is acceptable.
Subject to approval, students will be allowed to transfer at most six (6) credits from another AACSB accredited graduate business program if the course content largely overlaps with a course on our approved list of MSF elective courses.
Deferrals are granted only for a full academic year, from one fall semester to the very next fall semester, with the exception of students leaving for military service. A deferral is official only when you are notified that the Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions has granted your request.
Fees and Financial Aid
You can contact the Program Director, Dr. David Pedersen (856-225-6978 / david.pedersen@rutgers.edu), or an Admissions Coach at rsbc.info@camden.rutgers.edu.