MAA215 - Client Behaviour and Decision Making
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | MAF315 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Campbell Heggen |
| Prerequisite: | MAA255 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | MAF315 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1.5 hour on-campus lecture (recordings provided) and 1 x 1.5 hour on-campus seminar (recordings provided) each week. |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1.5 hour recorded lecture and 1 x 1.5 hour online seminar (recordings provided) each week. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit builds on the technical knowledge acquired in other units, to broaden students understanding of the professional skills and knowledge required to build long-term client relationships, and develop a deep understanding of clients’ needs in order to formulate strategies and solutions that are in the client’s best interest. Drawing on insights from the behavioural sciences, this unit encourages students to consider how best to build trust, communicate the value of advice, and develop strategies to engage clients at each stage of the financial planning process. Students will be introduced to the field of behavioural finance, to provide insights into client behaviour and factors that influence decision making within a financial services context.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Design strategies for engaging a variety of clients. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Communicate effectively (verbal and non-verbal) with clients and peers. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Develop strategies for holding difficult conversations with client and peers. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO4 | Identify behavioural biases individuals may exhibit and explain the impact of these biases on financial decision making. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Work collaboratively with peers, providing contributions and team leadership in exploring ideas and potential solutions. | GLO7: Teamwork |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: (Group of 3) Video Recording | 15 minutes | 25% | Week 7 |
| Assessment 2: (Individual) Video Recording | 7 minutes | 25% | Week 9 |
| Assessment 3: (Individual) Written Reflection (self) | 1200 words | 20% | Week 11 |
| Assessment 4: (Individual) Report (Research) | 2000 words | 30% | TBC |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for MAA215 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.