CFP®
Certification Education Program
Best For
Financial professionals aiming to pass the CFP® exam the first time.
Timing
~12 Months
Format
Study the curriculum at your own pace, engage through online office hours, and receive support from the nation’s preeminent financial planning thought leaders. Learn About Personal Pathway.®
100% Online
Tuition
Starting at
$955/course
Seven-course package available for $5,395
Request More Information
Provide us with your information and we will get back to you with additional details.
Experience Our Program
Practical Knowledge, Proven Results
Hear from our successful alum Adam Holt, CFP®, ChFC®, CEO and Founder of Asset-Map Holdings, and get a behind the scenes look at our CFP® Certification Education Program.
Program at a Glance
Admissions Requirements
There are no prerequisite courses required to begin our program other than a high school diploma or equivalent.
To receive the CFP® certification, you must:
- Successfully complete the seven required courses
- Pass the CFP® exam
- Hold either 6,000 hours of professional experience as a financial advisor or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience
- Receive a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Continuing Education (CE) credit is required to maintain the CFP® mark, as well as agreeing to the CFP Board’s ethics pledge. For more information, see the CFP Board’s website.
Tuition & Scholarships
Program tuition can be paid on a per-course basis, or packaged together at a reduced rate.
Individual courses: $955 (except for Case-study Course HS 333 which is $1,175)
Course Packages (additional packages available for review during enrollment)
- 7-Course Package: $5,395
- 7-Course Package + CFP® Dalton Review: $6,395
- 7-Course Package + The Core BIF Review: $6,390
Exam Preparation
We’ve partnered with several CFP® Exam preparation providers. Learn more about offerings from Dalton Review here, and Boston Institute of Finance (BIF) here.
- CFP® exam prep with The Dalton Review®: $1,495
- Dalton Guarantee to Pass™ Review: $2,295
- The Core BIF Review: $995
- The Premium BIF Review: $1,795
Additional Offerings
Scholarship opportunities are available for those who qualify, learn more.
We also offer an accelerated, alternative path capstone program for learners with qualifying credentials - learn more here.
What You'll Learn
The College’s online CFP® Certification Education Program is uniquely positioned with the academic rigor of an accredited institution, an all-virtual online experience with the personal touch of a real live classroom setting, and a level of interactivity and engagement that sets it apart from other e-learning, self-study programs.
Your learning outcomes include knowledge on:
- Financial planning roles and responsibilities
- Income taxation and principles of investments
- Retirement and estate planning strategies
- Planning principles for insurance needs
- Latest concepts in behavioral finance
Course Delivery
Study the seven-course curriculum at your own pace, engage through virtual online office hours, and receive support from the nation’s preeminent thought leaders and our academic advising team.
Our program offers:
- An extensive review of core competencies covered on the CFP® exam
- A focus on behavioral finance, an area of growing importance
- Expert instruction delivered by preeminent thought leaders and researchers
- Modern e-learning through our Personal Pathway® learning model to improve interaction and retention
- Higher pass rates above the national average1
What Your Peers Say
35%
Higher growth in client retention reported than those without a designation.1
85%
Net promoter score from our program completers, indicating world-class satisfaction.2
72%
Of our students pass their CFP® exam the first time, beating the national benchmark for financial planning education.3
Our CFP® Certification Education Program is Right for You If:
Inside Our Program
Courses to Complete
Seven
Typical Completion Time
~12 Months
HS 300 Fundamentals of Financial Planning
Provides an overview of the financial planning process.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the steps of the financial planning process
- Differentiate between various communication techniques used by advisors
- Utilize the various financial planning approaches to provide actionable recommendations
- Review personal financial statements and perform financial statement analysis
- Build a foundation in quantitative techniques and basic economic concepts
- Apply education planning and funding techniques to help clients achieve their goals
- Review and apply the ethics of personal financial planning within various frameworks
HS 311 Fundamentals of Insurance Planning
Focuses on the role of planning for risk management needs.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of risk management
- Compare and contrast the different health insurance options available
- Differentiate among the various types of life insurance
- Discuss principles of disability income insurance, long-term care, and annuities
- Identify the sources and uses of homeowners, property, and liability insurance
- Identify sources of identity theft and utilize debt management techniques
- Demonstrate an understanding of social insurance programs like Social Security
HS 321 Fundamentals of Income Taxation
Examines the federal income tax system with particular emphasis on the taxation of individuals.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of federal income taxation
- Compare taxation of income generated from personal and investment activities
- Explain the taxation of income and expenses generated from different activities
- Understand and apply the fundamentals of deductions against adjusted gross income
- Identify different types of tax credits and tax deductions
- Demonstrate an understanding of how basis is determined
- Identify the tax advantages that certain types of business assets receive
- Explain how provisions in the tax code allow for tax avoidance and tax deferral
- Explain the complexities of the passive activity loss rules and alternative minimum tax
- Compare and contrast the tax consequences of distributions from business entities
HS 326 Planning for Retirement Needs
Focuses on helping businesses and individuals plan for retirement.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Analyze the factors affecting retirement planning
- Understand the fundamental principles of qualified plans
- Compare and contrast the various types of qualified pension plans
- Compare and contrast profit sharing plans, stock bonus plans, and ESOPs
- Understand the tax treatment of distributions from qualified plans
- Describe the steps involved to manage a qualified plan
- Discuss the advantages, limitations, and taxation of IRAs and SEPs
- Compare and contrast SIMPLE, 403(b), and 457 retirement plans
- Discuss the taxation of nonqualified plans and Social Security claiming strategies
- Compare and contrast employee fringe and group benefits
HS 328 Investments
Learn about the principles of investments and their application to financial planning.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the institutional framework surrounding investments
- Measure investment returns using various methodologies
- Apply the modern portfolio theory framework to the task of managing portfolios
- Evaluate portfolio performance using attribution and ratio analysis
- Understand how fixed income securities function
- Compare and contrast the various types of equity securities
- Evaluate the factors that can affect the performance expectations of equity securities
- Identify the features of valuing securities using absolute and relative valuation models
- Identify the features of investment companies and evaluate fund selection techniques
- Compare and contrast the features of derivative securities
HS 330 Fundamentals of Estate Planning
Covers various aspects of estate and gift tax planning processes.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the steps in the estate planning and probate processes
- Identify and describe the basic estate planning documents
- Compare and contrast the most common types of property titling
- Understand and apply the fundamentals of the gift tax system
- Identify and classify different trust arrangements
- Understand and apply the fundamentals of the generation-skipping transfer tax system
- Compare and contrast advanced charitable planning strategies
- Understand and apply the fundamentals of the estate tax
- Demonstrate the advantages of using life insurance in estate planning
HS 333 Personal Financial Planning: Comprehensive Case Analysis
Applies students' knowledge and skill set in personal financial planning techniques to a comprehensive case study.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Bring together elements from all of the previous foundation courses to synthesize and apply knowledge of the financial planning process, insurance, taxation, investments, retirement, and estate planning through the delivery of a comprehensive financial plan
Request More Information
Provide us with your information and we will get back to you with additional details.
CFP® Certification Education: See Where We Stand
Save time with a quick view of how our CFP® Certification Education Program stacks up against comparable programs.
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CFP® Certification Education: See Where We StandSave time with a quick view of how our CFP® Certification Education Program stacks up against comparable programs. |
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There’s absolutely no question: the CFP® certification education courses online at The College gave me the tools I needed to pass the CFP® exam.
Drew Gerling
MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, RICP®
Adam's Story
The CFP® mark and the coursework I completed at The College have been unrivaled in impact, not only for my professional credibility but also my deeper knowledge and awareness of the questions and challenges people face when making financial decisions.
H. Adam Holt
CFP®
The CFP® Certification Education Program was the catalyst for me to make the pivot into financial services from a completely different field. I'm looking forward to using this knowledge base to help people live their best lives thanks to the depth of material and superior teaching of the professors.
Alan Nelson
CFP®
The CFP® certification classes at The College have undoubtedly furthered the financial planning skills and abilities I bring to my clients each and every day.
Justin Kaplan
CFP®
My educational experience with the CFP® Certification Education Program was excellent. The coursework was informative, the resources were extremely helpful, and thanks to the in-depth reviews, I was able to pass my exam on the first attempt.
Darren Mullenix, CFP®, ChFC®
01/00
Learn from the Leaders in Financial Planning Today
Chet R. Bennetts
PhD, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CLF®
Assistant Professor, Financial Planning, Larry R. Pike Chair for Insurance and Investments, and Program Director, ChFC® and CFP® Certification Education Programs
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Michael Finke
PhD, CFP®
Professor of Wealth Management, WMCP® Program Director, Director for the Granum Center for Financial Security, Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Steve Parrish
JD, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP®
Professor of Practice and a Scholar in Residence at the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Thomas M. Brinker, Jr.
JD, LLM, PFS/CPA, AEP®, ChFC®
Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Special Needs Planning
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Sophia Duffy
JD, CPA, AEP®
Associate Professor of Business Planning and Program Director, Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Zipporah Evania
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, CAP®, RICP®, CLTC®, WMCP®
Adjunct Professor of Retirement Planning
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Ray Fallen
MBA, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, CPCU®
Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Insurance
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
James Karthaus
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MA
Assistant Professor of Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Education and ChFC® Programs
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Mark McLennon
JD, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, CPA/PFS
Assistant Professor of Tax and Estate Planning, Clark/Bardes Chair in Retirement Planning and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Kimberly Turner
PhD, MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, AEP®, CLTC®
Adjunct Professor of Financial Planning
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Steven H. Steidinger
MBA, FLMI®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®
Adjunct Professor, ChFC® Program
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
01 / 00
Chet R. Bennetts
PhD, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CLF®
Assistant Professor, Financial Planning, Larry R. Pike Chair for Insurance and Investments, and Program Director, ChFC® and CFP® Certification Education Programs
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Michael Finke
PhD, CFP®
Professor of Wealth Management, WMCP® Program Director, Director for the Granum Center for Financial Security, Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Steve Parrish
JD, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP®
Professor of Practice and a Scholar in Residence at the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Thomas M. Brinker, Jr.
JD, LLM, PFS/CPA, AEP®, ChFC®
Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Special Needs Planning
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Sophia Duffy
JD, CPA, AEP®
Associate Professor of Business Planning and Program Director, Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Zipporah Evania
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, CAP®, RICP®, CLTC®, WMCP®
Adjunct Professor of Retirement Planning
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Ray Fallen
MBA, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, CPCU®
Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Insurance
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
James Karthaus
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MA
Assistant Professor of Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Education and ChFC® Programs
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Mark McLennon
JD, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, CPA/PFS
Assistant Professor of Tax and Estate Planning, Clark/Bardes Chair in Retirement Planning and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Kimberly Turner
PhD, MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, AEP®, CLTC®
Adjunct Professor of Financial Planning
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Steven H. Steidinger
MBA, FLMI®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®
Adjunct Professor, ChFC® Program
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
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CFP® Certification Education Program FAQs
The CFP® certification, which stands for Certified Financial Planner™, was created in 1975 as a mark that would stand for professional, competent, and ethical financial planning services. Since then, the CFP® certification has become well-known among financial professionals and the public and is considered a foundational financial advisor certification for those who wish to enhance their business outcomes. The CFP® certification is governed by the CFP Board, which oversees the CFP® exam needed to earn the credential and monitors those who use the mark through CFP® CE (continuing education) and other means to ensure continued excellence in planning. Most CFP® certification education courses focus on fundamental financial planning knowledge needed to be a certified financial advisor, including planning roles and responsibilities, taxation and investments, retirement and estate planning, insurance planning, and more.
To become a certified financial planner, many professionals start by earning the CFP® certification. Generally, CFP® exam prep and education is needed to prepare for the rigorous exam, as only around 60% of exam takers pass on their first attempt. Online CFP® programs such as The American College of Financial Services’ CFP® Certification Education Program provide the knowledge to satisfy CFP® requirements and succeed on the exam; many also choose to take specific exam prep CFP® courses. Once you pass the CFP® exam and meet all the necessary qualifications mandated by the CFP Board — including holding a bachelor’s degree and completing 4,000-6,000 hours of professional apprenticeship or experience — you are eligible to receive the CFP® certification.
While the CFP® certification is not required to become a financial advisor, many in the profession consider it a foundational financial advisor certification. CFP® courses cover fundamental financial planning knowledge needed to be a certified financial advisor, including planning roles and responsibilities, taxation and investments, retirement and estate planning, insurance planning, and more. In addition, studies by the CFP Board have found CFP® professionals earn about 12% more than those without the certification.
There are many options to choose from when seeking CFP® exam prep or the education needed to pass the CFP® exam; however, The American College of Financial Services’ CFP® Certification Education Program offers several advantages over comparable programs. The College’s 2024 Designation Outcomes Study, in conjunction with FUSE Research Network, showed those who completed The College’s online CFP® program were more likely to value the education they received and recommend these CFP® courses to others, demonstrated by an overall Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 85; this indicates a world-class satisfaction with The College’s CFP® courses. In addition, data from the CFP Board shows those who complete The College’s program to meet CFP® requirements pass the CFP® exam the first time at rates 5% above the national average.
Other advantages to The College’s CFP® Certification Education Program include access to industry-leading experts for powerful planning insights and an on-demand, e-learning model students can tailor to fit their busy schedule. Most who start the program are ready to take their CFP® exam within 12 months, and The College’s premium educational packages are overall more affordable than many other options. The College’s program also sets those who pass their CFP® exam up for success in the rest of their career by opening doors to further specialized knowledge and expertise — including the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation, which can be earned with just one additional course, and other specialized designations focusing on retirement planning, wealth management, philanthropic planning, and more.
You only need a high school diploma or the equivalent to begin our online CFP® certification program; however, you must meet all necessary requirements of the CFP Board to be awarded the certification and meet CFP® certification qualifications.
You will have 10 weeks to complete all our financial planning courses. Upon completion of your CFP® certification education courses, a four-week exam window opens for you to schedule, prepare for, and take the course exam to move onto the next course online.
Studying in the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) Program with The College lets you work toward two prestigious professional achievements simultaneously – saving you time and money to maximize your knowledge ROI and power your financial advisor career. The programs share a common core curriculum with the structure and flexibility of our Personal Pathway® learning experience to allow you to choose your path to success and satisfy your CFP® certification education requirements. Learn more about the benefits of combining programs.
While The College’s CFP® Certification Education will prepare you in many ways for the CFP® exam, it is generally recommended that you seek additional CFP® exam prep courses. CFP® exam reviews will not only cover the materials, knowledge, and principles to be included in this challenging financial planning exam, but will walk you through testing strategies, dynamics, question format, and other information critical to success.
We partner with the following providers to offer CFP® exam review courses:
- Dalton Education – The Dalton ReviewTM
- Boston Institute of Finance – The Core BIF Review
Yes! The College’s subscription-based learning platform Knowledge Hub+ offers 65+ hours of CFP® CE content from the top thought leaders in financial planning education today – including valuable CFP® ethics CE. CFP® Certification Education Program completers gain access to Knowledge Hub+ free for their first year! Learn more and subscribe now.
Take the Next Step
Our online program gives you a strong financial planning education to deepen client relationships and offer unmatched expertise.
1 FUSE Research Network. The American College of Financial Services Designation Outcomes Study. 2024.
2 FUSE Research Network. The American College of Financial Services Designation Outcomes Study. 2024.
3 CFP Board November 2022 Exam Results. 2024.