TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama offers a distance education degree in what the latest edition of "Jobs Rated Almanac" ranked at the top of the "Best Jobs" list.

Financial planning was given the highest rating because of the job's low stress, high income and vacation time.

"A financial planning degree prepares our graduates to work with consumers and families to reach their financial goals," Dr. Milla Boschung, assistant dean of UA's College of Human Environmental Sciences and chair of the department of consumer sciences, said. "It's a totally consumer approach."

Financial planners can work in a variety of locations, including private practices, banks, credit unions, insurance companies, accounting or law firms, credit counseling organizations and brokerage firms.

Boschung said the current job market for a financial planner is very lucrative.

"We are close to having the biggest transfer of wealth in the U.S. from the parents of baby boomers to baby boomers themselves," she said. "Both feel the need to have this transfer handled well so they can benefit from it. People have many investment, retirement insurance, tax, and estate planning choices, and they need financial planners' help in making them."

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Endowment for Financial Education, financial planners' incomes range from entry level to well over $100,000 for the experienced planner. The average combined gross earnings of financial planners is $80,000 per year.

Through distance education programs, UA offers preparation for a career in financial planning in many areas around the state.

Financial planning students complete two years of schooling at a community college, and then take two years of distance education courses from UA.

"They can earn a degree without ever stepping on the campus in Tuscaloosa," Boschung said.

Community colleges participating with UA include Gadsden State, Northeast State, Snead State, Bevill State, John C. Calhoun, Northwest Shoals and George C. Wallace (Hanceville campus).

The distance education courses can be taken at UA's Gadsden Center, by individual study or by QUEST.

QUEST students take classes from videotapes recorded before a live on-campus audience. The tapes are sent to students the next working day after they are recorded. QUEST students complete the same course requirements and take the same examinations as on-campus students.

For more information about financial planning studies or distance education courses at UA, contact Randy Holland at the Gadsden Center at 256/546-4837 or Dr. Milla Boschung by phone 205/348-6150, E-mail mboschun@ches.ua.edu, or write to her at Box 870158, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0158.