Your Future in Personal Financial Management

At Charleston Southern, the Bachelor of Business Administration in personal financial management is for learners seeking careers in personal finance and financial services. Personal finance is all about creating value for individuals so they can manage their wealth, grow their wealth, and give generously of their abundance.

As more people have learned the value of having a financial plan, the demand for Certified Financial Planners (CFP®) and their support staff has grown. Possible careers for this major include banking services, personal financial planning, financial analysis, and investment management. Careers in the industry offer students the opportunity to serve others by helping develop plans to use their God-given resources effectively.

The CSU Center for Personal Financial Management provides opportunities for students to gain experience in personal finance through peer-to-peer financial coaching, internships in financial advising firms, our student-led investment fund, and external projects. This degree prepares students to complete many of the various certifications required in the industry. 

Program Information

  • Graduates can work in multiple areas within the financial services industry
  • Growing field with plenty of career choices
  • CFP® certification program preparation is available
  • Internships and hands-on learning are a mainstay of the program
  • Involvement with the CSU Center for Personal Financial Management
  • An internship, practicum, or other experiential learning activity is required.
  • CSU partners with financial advisory firms across the southeast to help students find internship and career opportunities.

Some students in the personal financial management program will be chosen to work as peer-to-peer counselors in the Center for Personal Financial Management. These students will practice the principles they learn in class as the counsel other students on financial matters.

Students will be prepared to become personal financial advisors or analysts, and they will have completed the education requirement for the CFP® exam. This will make candidates for careers in multiple facets of the financial services industry, not just as financial advisors.

Accreditation:

Charleston Southern University’s accreditation can be found here.

CSU has specialized accreditation for its Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

The Nielsen College of Business has received the CFP Board certification of the PFM program beginning Fall 2022. With that, students will be able to take the CFP® certification exam when they graduate from college and not need to take the courses while they work.

Boyce Smith

Boyce Smith

Director of the Center for Personal Financial Management, Assistant Professor of Business
Jones Hall
P843-863-7283
Ebsmith@csuniv.edu

Ask A Question

Loading…

Bible-Based Financial Advising

This degree is focused on the opportunities in the financial advising industry. We take a biblically-based, Christian view of creating, managing, and sharing wealth. Students can become a member of Kingdom Advisors, a community of over 3,000 Christian financial advising professionals.

As a personal financial management major, you’ll take courses like…

  • Federal Taxation I
  • Risk Management and Insurance
  • Investments and Securities Analysis
  • Financial Planning for Professionals
  • Estate Planning
  • Retirement Savings & Income Planning

Graduates are equipped for a variety of career paths.

  • Financial counselor
  • Investment analyst 
  • Management positions in banks and credit unions
  • Debt and loan analyst
  • Fund manager and developer
Successful business people sitting at conference table enjoying listening to someone.

The Nielsen College of Business

Charleston Southern University’s Nielsen College of Business offers a unique perspective on business and quality educational opportunities through: Christian worldview and faith integration; low student to faculty ratio; personal attention from faculty and staff; outstanding internship program; networking within the community; and professionalism throughout the program.

Learn more
An exterior view of Jones HallThe exterior of the Lightsey Chapel Auditorium.
explore our facilities

Jones Hall

Jones Hall houses the offices of the president, the vice president for academic affairs and the Nielsen College of Business. Named for Clif S. Jones.

explore our facilities

Lightsey Chapel

The chapel seats 1,500 and is a multipurpose facility equipped with a modern stage and support equipment. The Margaret Kelly Hamrick Prayer Room is located at the front of the building. Named for W. Norris and Nell Peeples Lightsey.

The music building, located behind Lightsey Chapel, houses faculty offices for the Horton School of Music, music practice facilities and the theatre program’s Black Box Theatre. Named for Nell Peeples Lightsey.

PREVIOUS
NEXT