Masters (Coursework)
Note: This course is expected to be offered in Semester 1 2020
The Master of Financial Planning is a two-year course designed to provide a comprehensive study program in all aspects of financial advising and planning relevant to the financial needs of individuals and business owners. The course includes the areas of knowledge required by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority for new entrants to the financial advising and planning profession who have a degree in an unrelated field, and for existing advisers without a degree qualification.
The course curriculum includes the key areas of financial advice regulation and legal obligations, ethics for professional advisers, client engagement and decision making within a behavioural finance context, business law and taxation for financial advisers. In addition, the course examines superannuation, retirement and estate planning, risk and insurance, investment analysis and advice, funds management and self-managed superannuation funds.
The course includes a financial advising and planning capstone unit focused on researching, preparing, presenting and negotiating a complete Statement of Advice within a complex client scenario.
In the second year of the course, students can select four units from a range of postgraduate programs including the MBA, Master of Marketing, Master of International Business and Master of Accounting Practice (subject to meeting any applicable unit pre-requisites).
The course structure consists of four semesters each of 12 weeks' duration followed by an exam period. Four units each semester is a standard full-time workload.
To qualify for the award of Master of Financial Planning, a candidate must complete 16 units (96 credit points).
Semester One
Core Subjects
TPLA601 Financial Advice and Regulation
TPLA602 Ethics, Professionalism and Client Engagement
TPLA603 Investment Advice and Behavioural Finance
TLAW601 Australian Commercial Law
Exit with a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning
Semester Two
Core Subjects
TPLA604 Superannuation and Retirement Planning
TPLA605 Insurance and Estate Planning
TLAW602 Australian Taxation
TPLA606 Financial Planning Capstone
Semester Three
Core Subjects
TPLA607 Funds Management
TSTA601 Business Research Methods
Electives* (select 2 from the elective units list)
Core Subjects
TPLA608 SMSF Law, Strategies and Management
TRES600 Business Research Project
Electives* (select 2 from the elective units list)
Exit with a Master of Financial Planning
*Electives can be chosen from a wide selection of TOP' s Master's courses. Student Course Advisors can help you plan your course after you finalise your enrolment.Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is available and will be assessed in accordance with TOP's RPL Policy. Please refer to the Application for Recognition of Prior Learning and the RPL policy and procedure for further details.