For the first time, K-12 teachers can now earn a specialization in Financial Education as part of their Master's in Education at Arizona State University, equipping them with the skills needed to help students navigate their finances. The degree is available through the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, in partnership with nonprofit Next Gen Personal Finance                 

In a pioneering partnership between ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, the W. P. Carey School of Business, and financial education nonprofit Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF), teachers who complete all three courses under the Specialization Graduate Certificate for Personal Finance Educators who continue with the online Masters of Arts in Education can use those credits as a focal area toward a graduate degree. 

This innovative option addresses the growing need for qualified educators in a field that is gaining momentum nationwide.

With 26 states now requiring Personal Finance as a high school graduation prerequisite, up from 11 in 2021, the demand for teachers with personal finance expertise is higher than ever. 

The specialization offered by ASU prepares educators to meet this challenge by combining financial education with pedagogical skills.

“This education is critical,” said Brooke Damonte, a California teacher and participant in the program. “I was trained as a teacher, not a finance expert. My students deserve to learn from professionals equipped with the best training.”

The Personal Finance Graduate Certificate Program started as a pilot in August 2023, incorporating and expanding on NGPF’s Certification Courses within W.P. Carey School of Business personal finance graduate courses. 

It surpassed enrollment expectations. To date, 408 teachers have participated in the Certificate program, which has three courses to choose from. A total of 662 scholarships have been awarded since the launch. The program maintains a remarkable 99 percent pass rate.

“With more students expected to take Personal Finance classes, the demand for specialized teacher training is skyrocketing,” said NGPF Co-Founder Tim Ranzetta. “Educators want to feel confident teaching this material so students can be well-prepared to enter adulthood with fundamental finance skills.”

When current legislation is implemented, 64 percent of high school students in the U.S. will have guaranteed access to a standalone Personal Finance course. Through NGPF’s Mission 2030 Fund, the organization is working alongside other advocates to expand this to all 50 states.

“We wanted to partner with an institution with a great reputation for online education,” said Ranzetta. “ASU was the perfect fit.”                                   

About the Authors

Hannah Rael

As NGPF's Marketing Communications Manager, Hannah (she/her) helps spread the word about NGPF's mission to improve the financial lives of the next generation of Americans.

Chris Salm

Chris (ella/she/her) joined NGPF full-time as a project manager and Spanish translator after 13 years as an educator in NY. She is a graduate of St. Louis University in Madrid, Spain with a degree in International Business. She has a Masters in Teaching from Pace University in New York and a certification in translation from NYU. She brings organizational skills to the team at NGPF, helping to ensure every high school student graduates financially literate. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and going back home to Spain with her husband and two children. She also enjoys running with her dog and exploring nature.