Applied Personal Finance
Personal finance touches every stage of life, and Texas Tech's Applied Personal Finance program prepares students to guide others through it. Housed in the School of Financial Planning, this Bachelor of Science equips students with real-world skills in financial counseling, credit, risk management, and investing. The program offers a hybrid approach, with most classes available in person and some available online, providing flexibility without sacrificing the hands-on experience the program is known for. Graduates are eligible to sit for the nationally recognized Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) exam.
Your Future in Personal Finance
Explore what makes Applied Personal Finance at Texas Tech a nationally recognized, career-defining program.
Degree & Course Details
Advanced Finance Technology
Students train with over $6M in professional financial planning software inside the state-of-the-art Schwab/PFP Technology Complex, a 4,500 sq. ft. learning facility.
Credit for Work/Life Experience
At Texas Tech, your real-world experience counts. Through our no-cost Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program, you may be eligible to earn up to 9 credits for your professional and life experiences, helping you accelerate your degree and save on tuition.
Signature Events & Experiences
Students engage through Red to Black, Knowledge Empowering You, and the annual Opportunity Days event to build networks and real-world skills.
Key Courses
View Degree Courses in Catalog
PFI 1305 - Life, Love, and Money
Examines the interconnected behaviors among various human relationships and money to improve decision-making abilities in the areas of money, relationships, time, and values.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
PFI 3301 - Introduction to Personal Finance
Introduction to personal finance, including goal setting, cash management, credit, insurance, taxes, housing, investment alternatives and retirement plans.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
PFI 3322 - Consumer Financial Counseling
Introduces students to the financial counseling profession, understanding money values, attitudes, and beliefs. A detailed examination of the financial counseling process, techniques, and strategies is included, along with communicating and applying counseling skills with clients.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
- Prerequisite(s): PFI 3320.
PFI 3381 - Personal Finance: Investing
Focuses on the fundamentals of personal investing to meet financial goals, including cash management, investing terminology, risk and return, tax implications of investments, stocks and bonds, mutual funds and exchange traded funds, portfolio management, and retirement income management.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
- Prerequisite(s): PFI 2301, PFI 3301 or PFP 3301.
B.S. in Applied Personal Finance to M.S. in Personal Financial Planning
Texas Tech’s accelerated Personal Financial Planning pathway allows qualified students to earn a B.S. in Applied Personal Finance and an M.S. in Personal Financial Planning more efficiently, saving time and tuition while supporting preparation for AFC® and CFP® certification requirements.
Career Paths & Salary Ranges
Our Applied Personal Finance graduates are making an impact across the personal finance industry.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Incoming students are considered for merit scholarships when they apply for admission. Admitted students can find additional internal and external scholarship opportunities through Scholarship Universe.
All ScholarshipsDean’s Scholar Program
Guaranteed scholarships for high-achieving students in Health & Human Sciences.
View Dean’s Scholar Program detailsAcademic Support Team
Meet a few of the individuals you'll learn from. Explore their expertise and research interests and visit their profiles to connect.
Faculty DirectoryExplore Research Labs
Miranda Llanas
Academic Advisor
Applied Personal Finance
Dawn Abbott, M.S., AFC®
Program Director
Applied Personal Finance
Sarah D. Asebedo, Ph.D., CFP®
School Director
School of Financial Planning
Program Overview
Student Organizations & Experiences
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Knowledge Empowering You (KEY)
Knowledge Empowering You outreach program utilizes Personal Financial Planning students to provide educational outreach and one-on-one financial counseling in the Lubbock community.
Knowledge Empowering You (KEY) -
Personal Financial Planning Association (PFPA)
The association provides opportunities for professional development through meaningful student involvement in the division of financial planning.
Personal Financial Planning Association (PFPA) -
Red to Black®
Red to Black® is Texas Tech's financial literacy program that meets you where you are and helps you make a plan to get where you want to go. It's an empathetic, judgment-free zone that provides education, workshops and coaching to make sure you hit all of your financial milestones.
Red to Black® -
Opportunity Days Event
Join us at Opportunity Days on the Texas Tech campus! This 3-day event connects current students with top employers through interviews and speed networking. It's a chance to showcase your skills and build valuable relationships with industry professionals.
Opportunity Days Event -
Spring Career Day
Spring Career Day connects our students with employers looking to fill internship and full-time job positions. Employers attending the event are offered time to network with our top students looking for employment with the option to conduct on-site interviews at the Texas Tech DFW Campus each spring.
Spring Career Day -
Financial Planning Academy
Join us this summer as camp staff at Financial Planning Academy. Help recruit future students while gaining valuable experience in personal finance and financial planning. Don't miss this opportunity to make an impact.
Financial Planning Academy
Related Programs
Personal Financial Planning
Where relationships and money intersect. Gain practical skills, hands-on training, and expertise in various financial specialties to prepare you for a successful career in financial planning and wealth management.
Learn about Personal Financial PlanningPersonal Financial Planning, M.S. / M.B.A. (Dual)
The dual degree program allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and M.B.A. by starting graduate coursework early, combining business skills with top financial planning education.
Learn about Personal Financial Planning MBA Dual DegreePersonal Finance Minor
The personal finance minor meets AFC® exam education requirements, offering unique, real-life courses and practical strategies to strengthen financial decision-making for lifelong personal and professional success.
Learn about Personal Finance MinorPersonal Financial Planning, M.S. / J.D. (Dual)
The School of Law offers a program for earning a J.D. and an M.S. in Personal Financial Planning in three to four years.
Learn about Personal Financial Planning, M.S. / J.D.Personal Financial Planning Minor
A minor for students who want to meet CFP Board educational requirements and prepare to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination alongside their primary degree.
Learn about Personal Financial Planning MinorFinance
Gain essential skills in global finance, investment strategies, and resource allocation, preparing you for a successful career in finance.
Learn about FinanceReady to Take the Next Step?
Reach out to our team to learn more about the incredible opportunities at Texas Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What career paths are available for APF graduates?
Graduates pursue careers in consumer financial services, banking, credit unions, nonprofits, government, military, and private practice as an Accredited Financial Counselor®.
What is the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) credential?
The AFC® is a nationally recognized certification graduates are eligible to sit for upon completing the program. It is not regulated by state licensure boards.
Is a minor required for the APF degree?
Yes. Students must complete a minimum 18-hour minor. Recommended options include Personal Financial Planning, General Business, Human Development, and several others within the College of Health & Human Sciences.
Does the APF program include internship opportunities?
Yes. Students complete paid internships with top financial planning firms, with placements spanning 47 states and nine countries. Many internships lead directly to full-time job offers.
How is APF different from Personal Financial Planning?
APF focuses on financial counseling and consumer services, while Personal Financial Planning is CFP®-track. APF offers more flexibility across industries without state licensure requirements.
Is the Applied Personal Finance program offered in-person or online?
Both. The program is available both on campus, hybrid, and online, giving students flexibility while maintaining access to Texas Tech's world-class faculty and resources.
Programs
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Address
Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.2011 -
Email
webmaster@ttu.edu