This eight-month graduate certificate program prepares you to become specialized in one of the fastest growing sectors in financial services. The curriculum will equip you with a skillset for working in client-facing and behind-the-scenes roles with banks; trust companies; insurance companies; and investment, wealth management and financial planning firms. You will also learn to manage your personal finances, provide financial advice to the public and pursue industry-demanded certifications.
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
To support your learning, a field placement work experience must be completed. This experiential learning opportunity will provide you with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you learned in a financial planning setting, while also gaining valuable work experience.
This experience requires you to engage in a minimum of 140 hours of financial planning-related employment activities during your studies. The field placement experience is an unpaid or paid position that is available to students who are in good academic standing with Seneca and who meet all identified requirements prior to participating in the field placement experience. While eligibility for participation does not guarantee that a field placement position will be secured, students are supported every step of the way by Seneca in locating, applying and obtaining a field placement experience with industry partners.
As an alternative to a field placement, you may complete an industry project that allows you to demonstrate your learning while gaining experience that will help you improve your employment opportunities.
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Sept. 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Sept. 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
This program meets Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements.
This program is offered in Seneca's flexible delivery format, with some courses delivered online. In courses delivered in the flexible format, using interactive learning spaces, professors teach in person to students in a physical classroom or lab and stream to students online at the same time. Students have a choice of coming to campus for an in-person experience or learning online.
Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
Successful completion of this program is the first step in obtaining the following industry certifications and designations that are in high demand:
Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to complete the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) — a prerequisite for employment in many areas of the financial services industry. Successful completion of the CSC and this program will allow students to obtain their Certificate in Financial Services Advice.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to proceed directly to the:
Pursuing these certifications requires the completion of additional courses, examinations, and/or work experience, all of which involve additional costs.
We’ve made a bold commitment to embed principles of sustainability into every business program we offer.
Learn more about Seneca Business’s commitment to sustainability.
