As he nears retirement from a career in aerospace, Marc Champion has chosen to pursue a new passion. NDSU is equipping him with the skills and knowledge needed to transition to a second career in financial planning.

“The staff at NDSU have made the process easy to navigate,” Champion said. “They take a personal interest in their students, and I’ve appreciated the attention and help.”

NDSU’s master’s in family financial planning is a distance program offered fully online through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance.

As an airline pilot, Champion has an inconsistent schedule that takes him all over the world. The structure of the program allows him to complete his coursework whenever and wherever works best for him.

“There is no way I could commit to a normal class schedule,” he said. “Online classes provide me with the flexibility I need to get my work done.”

Through the Great Plains IDEA, students learn about investing, real estate and insurance from professors at partner universities across the nation.

“The professors have differing levels of practical experience and each bring a unique perspective to the subject matter,” Champion said. “It makes the learning experience all the better.”

NDSU is preparing Champion to instill trust so he can serve others, he said. He hopes to counsel the elderly and those less fortunate than him to manage limited financial resources.

Learn more about NDSU’s online graduate programs and apply today.