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 certificate, 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 webinars, videos, and discussion boards 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.

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.

You can complete your registration online for the certificate 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.

Yes, you can take multiple courses at once, depending on your schedule and ability to manage the workload.

The full seven-course certificate 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 payment plans are an option for learners.

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

Financial Planning Association (FPA) members also receive a 10% discount when they register for the full certificate program.