Course Syllabus

Syllabus Personal Finance

Welcome

Welcome to Personal Finance! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community!

Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style.

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong.

Course Description

When you think of finance, you probably think of “money”. In reality, there is a limited supply of money. So, you have to decide how to use your money in order to reach a satisfactory standard of living and establish financial stability. In this course, you will examine how to apply for a job, obtain and record earnings, prepare a budget, analyze financial services, use consumer credit wisely, purchase various types of insurances, examine different types of consumer loans, make wise consumer decisions, and plan for retirement. This course fulfills the personal finance course requirements set by the State of Missouri.

Course Essential Questions

Essential Question 1

How can making thoughtful decisions and understanding how money and economies work help you build financial stability and a sense of purpose?

Essential Question 2

How does managing risk and money wisely at different stages of life affect your ability to bounce back from setbacks and build lasting wealth?

Course Overview

Lesson	Objectives	Quiz	Assignment
1: Financial Decision Making	Evaluate the role of choice in decision making. Apply a rational decision-making process to satisfy wants.. Explain how today's choices have future consequences Explain the relationship between choice and opportunity cost. Analyze how choices can result in unintended consequences.	10 multiple-choice questions	No Assignment
2: Earning Income and Compensation	Analyze how career choices, education, skill development and earning potential impact income and quality of life. Evaluate how economic conditions and/or labor markets can cause changes in a person’s income or employment status. Demonstrate how to complete employment application documents, such as a cover letter and résumé. Describe types of direct and indirect compensation.	10 multiple-choice questions	Assignment: Employment Documents
3: Taxes and Other Deductions	Differentiate between the kinds of taxes. Demonstrate how standard deductions such as income taxes, social security (FICA), Medicare, deductions for health care, and retirement savings plans affect net pay.	10 multiple-choice questions	No Assignment
4: Creating a Budget	Differentiate between income and expenses Create a budget that includes savings, fixed and variable expenses, priorities and due dates. Evaluate product information for major purchases, along with the costs and benefits of different payment options.	10 multiple-choice questions	Assignment: Tax Documents and Budgeting
5: Choosing a Financial Institution	Compare the services, service fees, and requirements of various financial institutions such as banks, savings and loans, credit unions and virtual banks. Calculate an account balance by recording deposits, withdrawals, and debit transactions. Explain the importance of FDIC, NCUA and other security regulations to protect one’s wealth in financial institutions.	10 multiple-choice questions	No Assignment
Midterm Exam
6: Saving for the Future	Identify short, medium and long-term savings goals including saving for high-value purchases, postsecondary education/training, and retirement. Compare retirement savings options and simple to compound interest, as well as the liquidity, interest payment or penalty of various savings instruments. Analyze how saving instruments can influence financial decision making and impact retirement.	10 multiple-choice questions	No Assignment
7: Financial Investing: Risk and Reward	Analyze the risks and rewards of various financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate and commodities. Explain how diversification can lower investment risk.	10 multiple-choice questions	Assignment: Spendster Project
8: Using Credit for Personal Needs	Compare sources and costs of consumer credit such as credit cards, consumer loans, rent-to-own, title and payday loans. Explain the purpose, functions, and costs of a mortgage. Evaluate the options for financing higher education.	10 multiple-choice questions	No Assignment
9: Credit Worthiness	Explain the purpose and components of credit records and credit history as provided by credit bureaus to determine credit scores. Identify ways to avoid and/or correct credit problems. Evaluate the options for financing higher education.	10 multiple-choice questions	Assignment: Putting It All Together
10: Risk, Insurance, and Personal Identity	Analyze the personal financial risks that can occur when unexpected events damage health, home, property, wealth or future opportunities. Evaluate how individuals can protect themselves from others misusing personal information and from identity theft while online.	10 multiple-choice questions	No Assignment
Final Exam

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source	Available Points
Lesson Assignments	120
Lesson Quizzes	100
Midterm Exam	110
Final Exam	110
Total	440

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

No outside textbook is required for this course.

Materials

Speakers or a pair of headphones (headphones preferred) would be beneficial for reviewing videos.

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here:

Browser and Computer Requirements
Proctoring Requirements
Microphone (external or internal)
Webcam

Additional requirements for the course are below:

audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

Access Canvas through the Tiger Portal https://mizzouacademy.missouri.edu/
For assistance with Canvas, passwords, or other technical issues, submit a ticket by selecting Help from the Global Navigation menu on the left in Canvas. Additional information is provided in the following Canvas Guide: How do I get help with Canvas as a student?
For questions about enrollment, access to courses, exam proctoring, or billing, contact our Support Services Team at (855) 256-4975 or mizzouacademy@missouri.edu.