Overview
The graduate program in taxation and financial planning is designed for practicing financial advisors; accountants; attorneys; and recent economics, finance, and accounting majors, as well as others wishing to enter the field of taxation and financial planning. Emphasis is placed on planning for clients, as well as technical competence in practical applications of the current tax law. Successful completion of the curriculum requirements will lead to the degree of master of science in taxation and financial planning (MSTFP).
Mission
Widener University’s MSTFP program is designed to prepare students to become effective tax and financial planners.
Goal 1—MSTFP students will be competent in the fundamentals of taxation and financial planning.
- Objective 1: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the suitability of various financial products using real-world examples.
- Objective 2: Students will interpret and apply the Internal Revenue Code, treasury regulations, and case law to realworld situations.
Goal 2—MSTFP students will be proficient in conducting tax research using primary sources of the law.
- Objective 1: Students will complete research problems using both electronic and hard copy resources in a tax research course.
- Objective 2: Students will properly research case study situations and prepare a well-written explanation of the tax law.
Goal 3—MSTFP students will be effective communicators.
- Objective 1: Students will successfully prepare oral presentations of the results of their research projects.
- Objective 2: Students will prepare well-written client letters and other client communications.
Goal 4—MSTFP students will be knowledgeable concerning the ethical responsibilities of a tax practitioner and a financial planner.
- Objective 1: Students will use Circular 230 and apply it to hypothetical situations.
- Objective 2: Using case studies, students will identify and examine issues involving ethics.
Certified Financial Planner
The MSTFP program is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. The CFP Board is a certifying organization whose mission is to benefit the public by fostering professional standards in personal financial planning. The completion of this program indicates completion of the education component of the CFP Board’s CFP® certification program. To be certified and authorized to use the CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™, and CFP certification marks, individuals must complete additional examination, experience, and ethics requirements.*
CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP [with flame logo]® are certification marks owned by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
*Widener University does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP [with flame logo]® certification marks. CFP certification is granted solely by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-registered program, have met ethics, experience, and examination requirements.
Academic Policies and Standards
All academic policies and standards for the School of Business Administration apply to the MSTFP program.
Residency Requirements and Degree Eligibility
Students must complete the minimum residency requirement of 28.5 credits in the MSTFP core and elective courses, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all 600-level courses, and complete all credit and professional membership requirements to qualify for the MSTFP degree.
Degree Requirements
The requirements for the degree are:
- Core requirements (25.5 credits)
- Elective requirements (9 credits)
- Professional membership requirements