The program is designed for students interested in pursing a career in financial planning or counseling. This concentration prepares students to work as financial planners, financial advisors, or financial extension educators in banks, insurance companies, social services, investment companies, or extension.  Whereas financial planners help households capitalize 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. *Statewide core curriculum is also entirely available by distance except for natural science (development underway).