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CFP®

Certification Education Program

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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 virtual office hours, and receive support from the nation’s preeminent financial planning thought leaders. Learn About Personal Pathway.®

100% Virtual

Tuition

Starting at  
$925/course 

Save 10% on seven-course package with promo code EARNMYCFP24.

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Enroll Now and Save

Earn Your CFP® Mark With Us

Enroll by 10/15 and save 10% on the full program with promo code EARNMYCFP24. Want to sit for your CFP® exam in 2025 – and pass it the first time? Take the first step with our powerful program.

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Tuition & Scholarships

Tuition for our financial planning courses can be paid on a per-course basis, or packaged together at a reduced rate. Tuition covers your course fees, final exam, and materials for your classes, including:

  • Downloadable content for easy following
  • Video lectures and expert interviews
  • Practice exams and assessment questions

Individual course: $925
Case-study course (HS 333): $1,130
Alternative path capstone program - CFP® exam with accelerated path: $1,130
3-Course Package (HS 333 & 347 excluded): $2,495
7-Course Package: $4,675.50 until 10/15 with promo code EARNMYCFP24
CFP® Dalton Guarantee to Pass (CP 120): $2,295
CFP® Dalton Review (CP 121): $1,495
7-Course Package + CFP® Dalton Review: $6,195

Scholarship opportunities are available for those who qualify, learn more.

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Admissions Requirements

There are no prerequisite courses required to begin our program other than a high school diploma or equivalent.

To meet the CFP® certification requirements through our program, you must:

  1. Successfully complete our seven required courses
  2. Pass the CFP® exam
  3. Hold either 6,000 hours of professional experience or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience in your financial advisor career
  4. Receive a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

CFP® continuing education (CE) credit is required to maintain this financial planning certification, including CFP® ethics CE, as well as agreeing to the CFP Board’s ethics pledge. For more information, see the CFP Board’s website.
 

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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 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 in our financial planning courses 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
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Course Delivery

Study the seven-course curriculum at your own pace, engage through virtual office hours, and receive support from the nation’s preeminent thought leaders and our academic advising team.

Our program offers:

  • CFP® exam prep with an extensive review of core competencies
  • Expert instruction delivered by preeminent thought leaders and researchers to burnish your qualifications
  • Best program for online learning through our Personal Pathway® model to improve interaction and retention
  • Access to further CFP® continuing education (CE) credit opportunities, including CFP® ethics CE through our Knowledge Hub+ subscription platform – free for alumni!
  • Higher CFP® exam pass rates than the national average1
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What Your Peers Say

91%

Say The College’s online CFP® Certification Education Program was a worthwhile career investment.2

80%

Attribute The College’s courses with improving their ability to meet client needs.2

72%

Of our students pass their CFP® exam the first time, beating the national benchmark for financial planning education.3

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Our Courses Are Right for You If:

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You Want to Pass Your CFP® Exam the First Time

Propel Your Financial Advisor Career Forward

Over 3-in-10 first-time takers fail the CFP® exam, and nearly half fall short on another attempt.3 Pick a program with a proven success rate and become a financial planner faster.

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You’re Looking for Flexible Financial Planning Courses

Prep for your next exam window

The next CFP® exams will start in October – learn at your own pace with virtual online classes and resources to prepare for yours in 2025.

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You Seek Ongoing CFP® CE Access

CFP® continuing education starts here

Our subscription learning platform Knowledge Hub+ is free on completion of your program, offering CFP® ethics CE and all the continuing education credit you need.

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Inside Our Program

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
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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®

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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®

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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®

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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®

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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®

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ADVANCED CFP® EXAM PREP

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ABOVE-AVERAGE CFP® EXAM PASS RATE

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FINISH IN <12 MONTHS

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ENHANCED ONLINE LEARNING

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Learn from the Leaders in Financial Planning Today

Chet R. Bennetts

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

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
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Thomas M. Brinker, Jr.

JD, LLM, PFS/CPA, AEP®, ChFC®

Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Special Needs Planning
ChSNC® Program Director

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Sophia Duffy

Sophia Duffy

JD, CPA, AEP®

Associate Professor of Business Planning

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Cydney Albert headshot

Cydney F. Albert

MBA, MS, CPCU

Adjunct Professor of Insurance Planning

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Christopher Coles

MA, ChFC®

Adjunct Professor

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
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Zipporah Evania

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, CAP®, RICP®, CLTC®, WMCP®

Adjunct Professor of Retirement Planning

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
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Ray Fallen

MBA, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, CPCU®

Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Insurance

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Jim Karthaus headshot

James Karthaus

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MA

Assistant Professor of Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Education and ChFC® Programs

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
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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
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Kimberly Turner

PhD, MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, AEP®, CLTC®

Adjunct Professor of Financial Planning

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Audrey Snell

MBA, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®

Assistant Professor, Academics

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Bio Photo

Steven H. Steidinger

MBA, FLMI®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®

Adjunct Professor, ChFC® Program

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Andrew Zumwalt headshot

Andrew M. Zumwalt

MS, CFP®

Adjunct Professor of Taxation

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Barry Feigenbaum

MA, MBA, RICP®, CFEI®

Adjunct Faculty

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Robert Reay headshot

Robert Reay

CFP®, MSPFP

Adjunct Professor

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Carrie Cabell headshot

Carrie Cabell

CFP®, JD, MBA

Adjunct Professor

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Scott Campbell

MBA, Series 7, Series 66, CFP®

Adjunct Professor

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

01 / 00

Chet R. Bennetts

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

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 Brinker headshot

Thomas M. Brinker, Jr.

JD, LLM, PFS/CPA, AEP®, ChFC®

Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Special Needs Planning
ChSNC® Program Director

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Sophia Duffy

Sophia Duffy

JD, CPA, AEP®

Associate Professor of Business Planning

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Cydney Albert headshot

Cydney F. Albert

MBA, MS, CPCU

Adjunct Professor of Insurance Planning

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Christopher Coles

MA, ChFC®

Adjunct Professor

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Bio Photo

Zipporah Evania

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, CAP®, RICP®, CLTC®, WMCP®

Adjunct Professor of Retirement Planning

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Bio Photo

Ray Fallen

MBA, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, CPCU®

Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Insurance

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Jim Karthaus headshot

James Karthaus

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MA

Assistant Professor of Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Education and ChFC® Programs

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Bio Photo

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
Bio Photo

Kimberly Turner

PhD, MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, AEP®, CLTC®

Adjunct Professor of Financial Planning

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Audrey Snell

MBA, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®

Assistant Professor, Academics

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Bio Photo

Steven H. Steidinger

MBA, FLMI®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®

Adjunct Professor, ChFC® Program

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Andrew Zumwalt headshot

Andrew M. Zumwalt

MS, CFP®

Adjunct Professor of Taxation

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Barry Feigenbaum

MA, MBA, RICP®, CFEI®

Adjunct Faculty

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Robert Reay headshot

Robert Reay

CFP®, MSPFP

Adjunct Professor

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
Carrie Cabell headshot

Carrie Cabell

CFP®, JD, MBA

Adjunct Professor

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio

Scott Campbell

MBA, Series 7, Series 66, CFP®

Adjunct Professor

Connect on LinkedIn Read Bio
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CFP® Certification Education Program FAQs

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 Dalton Education to offer CFP® exam review courses such as The Dalton ReviewTM through the enrollment above.

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. You can learn more and subscribe now, but students who complete our CFP® certification classes get it online for free!

footnotes

1 CFP Board of Standards. 2024.

2 The American College of Financial Services Designation Outcomes Study. 2017.

3 CFP Board November 2022 Exam Results. 2024.