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To download a program brochure and learn more about the online Financial Planning Certificate Program offered by Boston University, please fill out the form. You can also contact an enrollment advisor directly by calling (857) 971-4728.
The review questions throughout the courses really showed me what I needed to work on, and I passed the CFP® Exam on my first try. From start to finish, it took less than a year.
Angela DeLion, CFP®, Ameriprise Financial
About the Certificate
Invest in your future and gain a competitive edge in financial planning. Designed for busy professionals, Boston University’s online Financial Planning Certificate covers all aspects of financial planning—from investing to tax strategy to retirement—and equips you to pass the CFP® Exam.
Register for this course at any time, access curriculum materials 24/7, and get support from CFP®-designated experts.
In as little as nine months, you’ll be qualified to start pursuing professional certification and take charge of your career.
Financial Planning Certificate Course Breakdown
This self-paced certificate combines online flexibility with personalized support. You’ll progress through seven courses that blend independent study and asynchronous video content with live learning opportunities. When you have questions, answers from our CFP®-designated course facilitators are just a click away.
The program culminates with a Capstone Course that showcases your career readiness with a real-world financial plan.
Upon completion, you’ll have met the education requirement to sit for the CFP® exam, paving the way for new professional opportunities.
Who Can Benefit from the Financial Planning Certificate?
With flexible learning at a competitive price, our online Financial Planning Certificate is a perfect fit for professionals looking to make a smart career investment. Those who can benefit include:
- Anyone interested in a financial career: Develop the essential knowledge and skills to become a financial planner.
- Current finance professionals: Deepen your expertise to give clients sound advice in areas like investment and wealth management.
- Future CFP®s: Fulfill educational requirements to sit for the CFP® Exam.
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BU is an industry leader in CFP® education. With an exceptional pass rate that exceeds the national average for CFP® exam test-takers, our learners can feel confident as they work toward professional certification.
Accelerated Path Program
Certain professionals may qualify for our Accelerated Path Program, which streamlines the process to become CFP® certified. The CFP® Board recognizes several credentials that meet most educational requirements for the board exam, allowing eligible candidates to fast-track their certification with just one Capstone course. If you hold one of these degrees or licenses, you may only need to take our Capstone Course in Financial Planning to sit for the CFP® Exam.
Approved Degrees and Professional Credentials
- PhD in Financial Planning, Finance, Business Administration, or Economics
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Licensed attorney
- Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
- CFP® certification from the Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB) Affiliate located in your territory of residence outside the U.S.
About Boston University
How to Get Started
You can start the program at any time and progress on your own schedule. There are no set start dates and no admission requirements. Since a bachelor’s degree is required for CFP® designation, it is recommended but not mandatory that students hold this credential before enrolling in the program.
You have the flexibility to register for the full Financial Planning Certificate or take one course at a time. The courses are to be completed in a sequential order, starting with Introduction to Financial Planning and culminating with the Capstone Course. Once you register, you’ll receive 24/7 access to the curriculum within seven days. Working at a steady pace, the full certificate can be completed in as little as nine months, with an average completion time of twelve to twenty-one months.
Fill out the form to download a brochure and discover more about the online Financial Planning Certificate, including information on tuition and curriculum structure.
Boston University does not certify individuals to use CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S. CFP® certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience, and examination requirements.
State Authorization & Distance Education
Boston University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), allowing it to offer distance education in SARA-member states. For details on state authorization, complaint resolution, and licensure programs, visit the State Authorization & Distance Education website.
