Financial Literacy for Helping Professionals - Undergraduate Minor Certificate
Social work clients include families who have low incomes and struggle to meet their financial needs. These families may have problems with their credit history or lack of experience with mainstream financial institutions and the language they speak. It
is easy for someone who lives in or near poverty to fall prey to unscrupulous lenders, who take advantage of unstable situations. This program will prepare social workers to help clients avoid predatory lending practices, as well as access programs designed to supplement income for the impoverished. Education on available resources, in addition to engaging in dialogue and identifying accessibility with families, will be emphasized.
The School of Social Work, in collaboration with the Department of Personal Financial Planning in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at MU, has developed a minor in our undergraduate BSW program that will prepare students to work with vulnerable clients who are in need of financial counseling and education.The program has recently been approved.
Coursework includes course in personal and family finance, financial counseling, community agencies, and exploration in social and economic justice. In addition, students would have the option to take social statistics, macroeconomics, tax planning, and social justice and social policy. Successful completion of coursework allows students to sit for the Accredited Financial Counselor Exam.
The non-academic certificate and training program, include a financial simulation activity and related coursework. Target audiences include practicing professionals who work with clients struggling with financial problems due to lack of education or poor decision-making skills.
Admission Requirements
A student must be admitted into the University of Missouri systems with a declared academic major. The student must have an overall GPA requirement of a 2.5 to apply for the minor. The student must have satisfactory completion (as defined by a grade in the C range or above) of:
- Microeconomics and
- College Algebra is required.
- Satisfactory completion (as defined by a grade in the C range or above) of each required list of courses within the minor in order to attain the “Financial Literacy for Helping Professionals” minor.
This minor is available to students regardless of academic major. A student must complete the application minor information and submit to Student Service Coordinator in Clark Hall for approval. The student must be graduating from a distinct discipline to be eligible for the minor. The minor will be added to the student Myzou record upon completion to be given simultaneously with the degree.
Course Number |
Course Title |
Course Department |
Semester Course Taught |
2183 |
Personal & Family Finance |
Personal Financial Planning |
Fall/Spring/Summer-On-line Format |
3282 |
Financial Counseling |
Personal Financial Planning |
Fall/Spring |
4188 |
Community Agencies & Volunteerism, VITA |
Personal Financial Planning |
Spring (Course will need to attend workshop in order to certify for IRS compliance) |
4450 |
School of Social Work |
Interaction Skills for Practice |
Fall |
2000 or 4710 |
School of Social Work |
Exploration in Social & Economic Justice |
Fall/Spring |
4710 or 2000 |
School of Social Work |
Social Justice & Social Policy |
Fall/Online Fall,Spring,Summer |
Support Process: The student may meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Student Service Coordinator for advising regarding the Financial Literacy for Helping Professionals minor.
Application for the Financial Literacy for Helping Professionals minor (RTF)
