Financial Planning, BS
Overview
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning
The Financial Planning, BS is accepting applications for admissions effective Spring 2027.
Students in Financial Planning study finance and economics as they apply to individuals, households, and small businesses in the course of accumulating and using financial resource. Students are introduced to issues of credit management, insurance and other risk management strategies, saving and investing, retirement planning, and estate planning. Students also study the financial marketplace as it relates to the needs of households and small businesses.
Degree Requirements
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Minimum hours required in the College of ACES: 35 hours, 20 of which must be in the Department of ACE.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Department Foundation | ||
| ACE 123 | Introduction to ACE | 2 |
| or ACES 200 | ACES Transfer Orientation | |
| ACE 100 | Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | 3 or 4 |
| or ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | |
| ECON 103 | Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ACE 161 | Computer Concepts & Applications | 3 |
| or CS 105 | Intro Computing: Non-Tech | |
| ACCY 201 | Accounting and Accountancy I | 3 |
| ACE 262 | Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I | 3 |
| Communication Option: | 3 or 6 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment | ||
| Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | ||
| ACE 341 | Careers and Professionalism | 1 or 2 |
| ACE 300 | Intermediate Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Coursework | ||
| Calculus Option - Select one of the following: | 4 or 5 | |
| Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus for Business I | ||
| ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience Option - Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Experiential Learning (Study Abroad/Other Campus Study Abroad) | ||
| Environment and Development | ||
| Climate Change Economics and Policy | ||
| Global Agribusiness Management | ||
| International Business Immersion | ||
| Agriculture in Intl Dev | ||
| International Trade in Food and Agriculture | ||
| Agricultural and Food Policies | ||
| ACE 240 | Personal Financial Planning | 3 |
| ACE 344 | FinTech in Personal Finance and Financial Planning | 3 |
| ACE 345 | Small Business Finance | 3 |
| ACE 346 | Tax Policy and Finan Planning | 3 |
| ACE 349 | Risk Management and Financial Planning Across the Life Cycle | 3 |
| ACE 360 | Spreadsheet Models and Applications | 2 |
| ACE 440 | Finan Plan for Professionals | 3 or 4 |
| ACE 441 | FINRA Professional Exam Review | 3 |
| ACE 444 | Financial Services & Investing Planning | 3 or 4 |
| ACE 445 | Intermediate Financial and Estate Planning | 4 |
| ACE 449 | Retirement & Benefit Planning | 3 or 4 |
| Financial Planning Elective - Select one of the following: | 2 or 3 | |
| Advanced Personal Finance | ||
| Women, Money, and Power | ||
| Money and Happiness | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Sample Sequence
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
First Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 100 - Introduction to Applied Microeconomics or ECON 102 - Microeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ACE 123 - Introduction to ACE or ACES 200 - ACES Transfer Orientation | 2 |
| Composition I or Communication Option | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 161 - Computer Concepts & Applications or CS 105 - Intro Computing: Non-Tech | 3 |
| ECON 103 - Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| Calculus Option | 4 |
| Communication Option or Composition I | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
Second Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACCY 201 - Accounting and Accountancy I | 3 |
| ACE 240 - Personal Financial Planning | 3 |
| ACE 262 - Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I | 3 |
| ACE 341 - Careers and Professionalism | 1 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 300 - Intermediate Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| ACE 344 - FinTech in Personal Finance and Financial Planning | 3 |
| ACE 360 - Spreadsheet Models and Applications | 2 |
| Financial Planning Elective | 2 |
| Free Elective course | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
Third Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 345 - Small Business Finance | 3 |
| ACE 346 - Tax Policy and Finan Planning | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 349 - Risk Management and Financial Planning Across the Life Cycle | 3 |
| ACE 449 - Retirement & Benefit Planning | 3 |
| ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience Option | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Fourth Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 444 - Financial Services & Investing Planning | 3 |
| ACE 445 - Intermediate Financial and Estate Planning | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 440 - Finan Plan for Professionals | 3 |
| ACE 441 - FINRA Professional Exam Review | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Hours
Total hours for all requirements: 120
Learning Outcomes
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning
- Acquire broad and applied knowledge of general personal finance, retirement, estate, taxation, insurance, portfolio management and investments.
- Understand a client’s personal and financial circumstances through analyzing quantitative and qualitative information about an individual, family or small business.
- Identify, select and prioritize financial goals by analyzing a client’s current course of action and potential alternative courses of action. Participate in helping consumers, families, and small businesses identify goals in a world of financial scarcity and choice making.
- Create, present, and implement qualitative and analytical recommendations through verbal, written and online formats.
- Develop a meaningful understanding of licensing, collaboration, certifications, ethical standards, and compensation.
Contact Information
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning
Agricultural Consumer Economics
Agricultural Consumer Economics website
326 Mumford Hall
1301 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-1810
ace-aces@illinois.edu
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
Office of Academic Programs
128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-3380
aces-academics@illinois.edu
Advising
ACE Advising website
217-333-1810
ace-aces@illinois.edu
Admissions
ACES Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
217-333-3380
visitACES@illinois.edu