2025-2026 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog
School of Personal Financial Planning
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Sarah Asebedo, Ph.D., School Director
Professors: Durband, Huston, James
Associate Professors: Asebedo, Browning, Guillemette, Lacombe, Lauderdale
Assistant Professors: Chimbane, Olajide, Reiter
Professor of Practice: Lutter
Associate Professor of Practice: Heckman
Assistant Professors of Practice: Abbott, Jurgenson
Senior Lecturers: Cassady, Wilkinson
CONTACT INFORMATION: 260 Human Sciences Bldg. | 1301 Akron Ave. | Box 41210 | Lubbock, TX 79409-1210 | T 806.742.5050 | F 806.742.5033 | www.depts.ttu.edu/pfp
About the School
The School of Financial Planning offers a robust and high-quality academic curriculum with a minor in Personal Finance; B.S. in Applied Personal Finance; and a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning. An additional Professional M.S. in Personal Financial Planning is offered at TTU DFW. All Personal Financial Planning programs are registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and meet the education requirement for the CFP® certification. All programs meet the education requirement for the AFC® certification. AFC® and CFP® certifications are nationally recognized and are not regulated by state licensure boards. Three dual graduate degrees are offered: J.D./M.S. in PFP, M.B.A./M.S. in PFP, and M.S.A. Tax/M.S. PFP, as well as graduate certificates in Charitable Financial Planning and Financial Health and Wellness and an accelerated PFP B.S. to M.S. program (ABM).
Personal Financial Planning and Applied Personal Finance Academic Programs
Dual Degree Academic Programs
School and Program Purpose, Vision, and Mission. A purpose statement for the School and summary for each academic content area is outlined below.
School Purpose. To shape and advance the future of the personal financial professions.
School Vision. By 2030, we will be a global leader of innovative research, accessible education, and impactful outreach and engagement to support the personal financial professions and their communities.
School Mission. To educate students to the highest standards of excellence, foster growth, produce innovative research, and serve the global community through outreach and engagement.
Program Purpose and Summary.
Personal Financial Planning. To shape and advance the future of the financial planning profession as the premier program for financial planning education, research, community engagement, and practice excellence.
Students majoring in personal financial planning at the B.S. and M.S. levels are prepared for careers and leadership positions in the financial planning profession. Dual degrees are offered in allied professions in business (M.B.A.), accounting (tax), and law (J.D.) to maximize impact and reach. The ABM program provides an accelerated pathway for B.S. students to earn their M.S. degree for a competitive advantage in management and leadership positions early in their career. The Ph.D. program prepares students to lead academic programs, teach, and conduct research in a higher education, corporate, or government setting which drives the creation of new knowledge in how we think, act, and communicate about the practice of financial planning on a global scale. The programs feature extensive coursework in financial planning, ensuring a strong foundation in financial planning content with direct connections to real-world professional applications. Students are then able to apply their new knowledge through many community-serving organizations which offer valuable experiential learning opportunities while also allowing students to make a positive impact in the world around them. CFP® certification is nationally recognized and is not regulated by state licensure boards.
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program. The accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree program allows academically capable students to accelerate their undergraduate degree programs, begin graduate work in their fourth year, and finish both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a total of approximately five-and-a-half years if enrolled full time. This is accomplished by allowing 9 hours of graduate coursework in personal financial planning to count toward both the undergraduate degree and the master’s degree.
Personal Finance. To enhance healthy financial futures through education and application.
A student who is interested in obtaining a strong foundation in Personal Finance can complete a Studies in Personal Finance (SPF) minor or a Bachelor of Science in Applied Personal Finance. This program is designed for students who wish to pursue career opportunities in various channels in the financial services industry. It provides flexibility for students to explore personal finance applications for consumer financial services companies, banks, credit unions, financial literacy education, non-profits, government/military, and private practice as an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®). AFC® certification is nationally recognized and is not regulated by state licensure boards.
Financial Health and Wellness. To equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools necessary to promote well-being across dynamic settings.
The Financial Health and Wellness graduate certificate program focuses on creating feelings of contentment and achievement with one’s current and future financial status. Courses teach both the personal skill sets and the discovery methodologies necessary to succeed as a practitioner of holistic financial planning.
Charitable Financial Planning. To equip financial and nonprofit professionals with an understanding of the technical strategies and client decision-making processes related to major and complex charitable gifts of wealth.
The Certificate in Charitable Financial Planning is intended for those who wish to develop a specialty in the area of planned giving, including complex techniques involving private foundations, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, donor advised funds, life insurance, and remainder interests. Students also will review and discuss the latest academic research on charitable giving motivations and fundraising strategies.
Experiential Learning. Students who have taken specific coursework in personal financial planning have an opportunity to implement their skills in a practical setting through participation in outreach programs and student organizations. Student members have an opportunity to accumulate volunteer hours toward professional designations including the CFP® and AFC®. Red to Black® is dedicated to helping students and their families navigate finances with confidence. Our programs provide the tools, knowledge, and personalized support needed to make smart financial decisions now and in the future. With workshops, resources, and one-on-one coaching, Red to Black® can help you LEARN how to manage finances, PLAN for upcoming expenses, and ACT to build a strong financial future. Whether planning for college or managing current expenses, we are here to help you thrive financially! There are three levels of student membership: Financial Advocates (must be currently enrolled in or have completed at least one PFP or PFI class), Financial Educators (must be currently enrolled in or have completed PFI 2301 /PFP 5371 ), and Financial Coaches (must have completed PFP 3330 /PFP 5377 , PFI 3320 (PFI 3321 *), PFI 3320 /PFI 3322 or PFP 5371 ). For more information, email Red to Black at redtoblack@ttu.edu.
* PFI 3321 no longer offered.
The KEY (Knowledge Empowering You) Outreach Program utilizes Texas Tech University School of Financial Planning students to provide educational outreach and one-on-one financial coaching in the Lubbock community at the Charles Schwab Foundation Personal Financial Planning Clinic. KEY Outreach is comprised of Personal Financial Planning and Applied Personal Finance students who have completed specific coursework in the areas of financial planning, financial literacy, and financial communication as members of the organization. The members deliver educational programming and financial coaching to adults and children in the Lubbock community in the topic areas of cash, credit, coverage, college, and career. Students must commit to a one-year membership and be in good academic standing with the School of Financial Planning. KEY Educators must have completed PFI 2301 and/or PFP 2315 , while KEY Coaches must have completed PFI 2301 , PFP 2315 , and PFI 3320 and/or PFI 3322 to be eligible to apply.
The Charles Schwab Foundation Personal Financial Planning Clinic at Texas Tech University is a community-based outreach endeavor of the School of Financial Planning focused on promoting family financial resiliency and empowerment by offering no-cost one-on-one financial coaching to all members of the Lubbock community. As a financial coach, financial planning students have the opportunity to develop and sharpen a wide range of skills, including communication, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and empathy. These skills are not only essential for a career in financial planning but are also transferable to various other professional and personal contexts.
Graduate Program
For information on graduate programs offered by the School of Personal Financial Planning, visit the Graduate Programs section of the catalog.
Undergraduate Program Offerings, Course Descriptions & Curricular Tables
(Click on program for curricular table.)
ProgramsBachelor’sUndergraduate MinorAccelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s DegreeCoursesPFI - Personal Finance (Undergraduate Courses)PFP - Personal Financial Planning (Undergraduate Courses)
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