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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 specialist directly by calling (857) 971-4728.
Financial planners help people shape the futures they’ve always imagined. By guiding clients through complex financial decisions and offering ethical, informed advice, they lead clients toward better outcomes and a sense of security. From building wealth to securing a family’s future, financial planners provide expertise that truly makes a difference in their clients’ lives.
Phuong Luong, MEd, CFP®, Program Director
About the Financial Planning Program
Invest in your future and gain a competitive edge in financial planning. Designed for busy professionals, Boston University’s online Financial Planning Program covers all aspects of financial planning—from investing to tax strategy to retirement—and equips you to pass the CFP® Exam.
In as little as nine months, you’ll gain professional-level financial planning skills and meet the education requirements for CFP® certification.
Education That Fits Your Schedule and Transforms Your Work
This self-paced certificate combines online flexibility with personalized support. You’ll progress through seven courses that blend independent study with recommended live learning opportunities.
Learn from Instructors Who Are All CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professionals
Our instructors actively manage client portfolios and bring their hands-on experience to the classroom, sharing practical insights and proven strategies. Plus, if you need additional support, these CFP® professionals are a click away.
Complete Requirements and Build Skills for the CFP® Exam
When you complete the Financial Planning Program, you’ll fulfill the educational requirements for CFP® certification.
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.
Who Can Benefit from the Financial Planning Program?
With flexible learning at a competitive price, our online Financial Planning Program is a perfect fit for professionals looking to make a smart career investment. Those who can benefit include:
- Career changers: Move into a career that directly improves people’s lives—without the time commitment of a master’s program.
- Aspiring leaders: Accelerate your career growth and expand your expertise to take on more advanced roles in financial planning and wealth management.
- Established professionals: Keep your skills sharp and strengthen client trust by showing your dedication to continued learning and up-to-date financial strategies.
- Future CFP® practitioners: Fulfill educational requirements to sit for the CFP® Exam.
Already have a related degree or credential? If you hold an advanced degree or certification in certain fields, you may qualify for the Accelerated Path option, which requires just one Capstone course. Download our brochure for more information or call (857) 971-4728.
Build Your Professional Foundation
The Financial Planning Program curriculum includes seven self-paced modules that align with the CFP Board’s Principal Knowledge Topics:
- Introduction to Financial Planning
- Risk Management and Insurance Planning
- Investments
- Tax Planning
- Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
- Estate Planning
- Financial Planning Capstone
The program culminates with a Capstone course that showcases your career readiness with a real-world financial plan. You can choose a self-paced Capstone or join an instructor-led Capstone that features regular live sessions and expert guidance.
About Boston University
Program Format and Next Steps
You can begin the Financial Planning Program at any time and complete it at your own pace.
- You have the flexibility to register for the full Financial Planning Program or take the courses one at a time.
- The full certificate can be completed in as little as nine months, with most students taking eighteen to twenty-one months.
- The courses are to be completed in a sequential order, starting with Introduction to Financial Planning and culminating with the Capstone course.
- You can progress on your own schedule with our clearly outlined pacing options and complete your studies in 9, 12, 18, or 21 months.
- You can start our program without a bachelor’s degree, but note that you’ll need one for CFP® certification.
Fill out the form to download a brochure and discover more about the online Financial Planning Program, 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.
