Students enrolled in the online Financial Planning program at California Lutheran University (CLU) have a bit of a 'leg-up' when it comes to the future. Not only are students participating in the USDLA's silver award winning program for Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming, they are being educated in the responsible management and informed decision-making process surrounding the finance world.

The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission defines financial literacy as "the ability to make informed judgments and to take effective actions regarding the current and future use and management of money." Financial literacy should include the ability to understand financial choices, plan for the future, spend wisely and manage and be ready for life events, such as, job loss or saving for retirement.

Central to the Financial Planning program's mission is to educate its students about the very important fact that financial decisions are the outcomes of reasoned processes. Reasonable expectations, along with a clear, time-bound objective is all that is required to make informed decisions. Alternatively, unreasonable expectations - for any financial decision -- generally lead to poor financial health. According to Dr. Somnath Basu, the Director of the California Institute of Finance, his desire for every student is to understand "what are the benefits of being informed, the costs of not being adequately informed, and the dynamics of information over time."

Individuals make a wide array of financial decisions through their lifetime. Examples of such decisions include saving for retirement, managing credit wisely, budgeting, tax and estate planning, and insurance. The intent of financial education should concentrate on financial activities and behavior that promote general financial well-being and health. Along the same lines, a well-trained financial expert should be able to detect symptoms of poor financial health.

The California Institute of Finance focuses it curriculum on a disciplined approach to financial decisions. As a result, students are exposed to a knowledgeable body of information and resources. However, the Financial Planning program also offers its students the advantages of flexibility and convenience. Offered as an online MBA and certificate program, each course is designed to fit the needs of adult professionals seeking a higher level of degree or certification. CLU's unique, distance learning program in Financial Planning developed through a partnership with The Learning House, Inc.--a comprehensive eLearning services company. Together, their goal was to build a quality online campus supported by customized eContent, interactive technology, and 24/7/365 technical support.    

Ultimately, students of the California Institute of Finance have a distinct advantage when entering the world of finance. On the one hand, graduates of the Financial Planning program have a complex knowledge of foreseeable financial concerns and the solutions to avoid and resolve any arising issues. Yet, students can also benefit from the online course structure that enables working professionals to continue their education while maintaining any work schedule.

In the end, the California Institute of Finance is proud to bestow upon its students a well-rounded perspective of the future. Fortunately, for its students, the future looks bright.

About California Lutheran University (www.clunet.edu/fponline)
California Lutheran University is an intellectually rich community nestled in the idyllic Conejo Valley halfway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. With its intimate size and beautiful location, CLU provides the perfect setting for lively debate, a diverse curriculum, and a learning environment that values the individual. California Lutheran University's MBA in Financial Planning has been accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). CLU's program in Financial Planning has been registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc (CFP Board).

About Learning House, Inc.
Learning House, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Dr. Denzil Edge. Learning House is a comprehensive eLearning services company that develops customized eContent, as well as audio and video products. Learning House also hosts and leases course management systems, leases and sells eContent, and provides 24/7 Help Desk services, project management services, consultation and research services, editing services, and staff training for its clientele. Learning House, Inc. provides eLearning services to numerous institutions of higher education, professional organizations, government agencies, and businesses. For more information about Learning House Inc., please visit: www.learninghouse.com.