FAQ

This program is suitable for anyone looking to start a career in financial planning, those seeking to enhance their financial planning skills, and professionals wanting to meet the education requirements for CFP® certification.

If you complete the full program, you will fulfill the educational requirements for CFP® certification, which requires coursework in financial planning through a CFP Board Registered Program. To become fully certified, you must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

In addition to meeting the education requirement, you will gain the knowledge needed to confidently tackle the CFP® exam, with a solid understanding of key financial planning concepts and the ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.

You will learn core financial planning principles, including investment strategies, tax planning, retirement planning, and estate management, with a focus on client-centered approaches. Visit the curriculum page for detailed course descriptions and key concepts.

The program is self-paced, fully online, and structured around seven courses:

• Introduction to Financial Planning
• Insurance and Risk Management
• Investments
• Tax Planning
• Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
• Estate Planning
• Capstone Course in Financial Planning

Each course is an interactive, multimedia experience that includes an extensive webinar library that you complete on your own schedule. You will also have the option to join a live session each week with a financial planning expert who is also a CFP® practitioner

The courses are to be completed in a sequential order. All students must begin with “Introduction to Financial Planning,” as its key topics are foundational and will appear throughout the other courses. The “Capstone course in Financial Planning” is taken last, as it serves as a culmination of everything you’ve learned.

On average, learners should expect to dedicate about ten to fifteen hours per week to their studies, depending on their pace and familiarity with the subject matter.

No prior experience is necessary. This program is designed to accommodate learners from various backgrounds, including those new to financial planning.

Yes. Students who qualify for the Accelerated Path may register for the Capstone course only. This option is for professionals who already meet most of the CFP Board’s educational requirements and need the Capstone course to qualify for the CFP® exam.

The Capstone in Financial Planning is available in two formats: self-pace and instructor-led. Both options help you complete the final applied project where you develop a comprehensive financial plan and present your recommendations in a recorded format. The self-paced option lets you begin when you are ready and progress independently. The instructor-led option offers weekly structure, live webinars, and guided support from BU instructors who are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals.

• Choose the self-paced Capstone if you want to begin right away, work independently, and complete the course around your schedule.
• Choose the instructor-led Capstone if you prefer weekly structure, live discussion, real-time Q&A, and additional accountability as you complete your final project.

The instructor-led Capstone course is offered three times per year, with each session scheduled to align with an upcoming CFP® Board exam. This timing can be especially beneficial for Accelerated Path students who want to complete the Capstone course and prepare for the next available exam. Course dates vary, so students should contact an enrollment specialist to confirm upcoming instructor-led Capstone start dates before registering.

Yes, register online at any time. The self-paced Capstone course is designed for students who want to start when they are ready and complete the course at their own pace.

Yes. Students in the self-paced Capstone can access recordings of instructor-led Capstone sessions, and live sessions are recorded for on-demand viewing. This gives students additional flexibility if they cannot attend a live session or want to review key concepts while completing the final project.

No. The Capstone course is not a CFP® exam prep course. It is an applied course focused on developing and presenting a comprehensive financial plan. Students planning to sit for the CFP® exam should consider separate exam review resources after completing the education requirement. Students in our program are eligible for exclusive discounts to top exam review programs.

You will develop a comprehensive financial plan based on a realistic planning scenario, complete supporting calculations, prepare written recommendations, and record a presentation of your plan. Unlike earlier courses that focus on individual subject areas, the Capstone course asks you to synthesize knowledge across the full financial planning curriculum.

Start by registering for OLFP109 - Capstone in Financial Planning through your MyCPE account. If you prefer the instructor-led format, you will also need to complete the instructor-led Capstone enrollment form. Contact an enrollment specialist to obtain the form and confirm the next available instructor-led section.

Students should plan for a focused, applied course experience. Many students should expect the Capstone course to take one to three months, depending on pace, schedule, and format.

You can complete your registration online for the program or individual courses.

The program offers rolling admissions, allowing you to start at any time that suits your schedule. You can register now and start within a week.

Once you register, you will receive access to the online learning platform within seven days. You can then begin “Introduction to Financial Planning” and move through the courses at your own pace.

If you enroll in the full program, you’ll have access to one course at a time. However, if you choose to purchase individual courses, you can take multiple courses simultaneously, depending on your schedule and ability to manage the workload.

The full seven-course program is $4,395. For details on individual course pricing and the Accelerated Path, visit the registration and tuition page.

Financial aid is not available for this non-credit certificate, but a payment plan is available. Learners may also seek private student loans.

Yes, students save an average of 15% on tuition by registering for the full program rather than registering for individual courses separately.

Financial Planning Association (FPA) members also receive a 10% reduction on registration for the full Financial Planning program. Individual course registration is not eligible.