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FAQ

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The American College operates on a quarterly system with course availability offered monthly:

  • Quarter 1 (Q1) = January - March
  • Quarter 2 (Q2) = April - June
  • Quarter 3 (Q3) = July - September
  • Quarter 4 (Q4) = October - December

When is The American College of Financial Services open?
The American College of Financial Services operates Monday through Friday, with the exception of the following 2023 dates:

  • Monday, January 2 (New Year’s Day observed)
  • Monday, January 16 (MLK Jr. Day)
  • Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day)
  • Monday, June 19 (Juneteenth observed)
  • Tuesday, July 4 (Independence Day)
  • Monday, September 4 (Labor Day)
  • Friday, November 10 (Veteran’s Day)
  • Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 (Thanksgiving)
  • Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26 (Christmas)

What is Personal Pathway™?

Courses in Personal Pathway™ follow a flexible, yet structured learning path and incorporate best-in-practice learning concepts and rich multimedia components. These courses also include instructor-led webinars, powerful lesson reviews, discussion forums, graded coursework and a final exam.

Personal Pathway™ courses are currently available for courses in some of its core professional designation programs, including:

  • CFP® certification education
  • ChFC®
  • CLU®

Click here to learn more about Personal Pathway™.

 

What is the examination testing window for HS students?

Courses using the Personal Pathway™ model follow a 14-week recommended learning path. The first 10 weeks feature structured lessons that include textbook readings, focused multimedia lesson reviews, discussion forum posts, preparatory quizzes, and a weekly webinar led by one of The College’s esteemed faculty members.  

The 4-week period following the 10-week coursework period is reserved for scheduling and taking your course's final exam. Personal Pathway™ courses have required, graded coursework specifically designed to help you perform better on your final exams. You must complete the required coursework to sit for your final exam, but that coursework also counts toward your final course grade and reduces the stress of one high-stakes exam. 

Personal Pathway™ puts you in charge of your learning. For example, if you complete your required coursework in seven weeks, you can add the remaining 3 weeks of the coursework period to the 4-week exam period to schedule your final exam. You’ll always have 10 weeks to learn and complete coursework and at least four additional weeks to test, but you can finish sooner!

For self-study courses, your testing window begins on the day you enroll, and you will have the rest of the current month plus the next four months to take your exam.

For example: If you enroll in May, you will have May, June, July, August, and September to take your exam.

 

How to schedule my final exam?

Exams for courses in the Huebner School must be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center or via Pearson’s OnVUE remote proctoring system unless the professor has specifically indicated otherwise

Pearson VUE operates thousands of testing centers worldwide. Upon enrollment, when you have met the necessary requirements, you will receive an Examination On Demand® (EOD®) email, which is used for scheduling your exam at the Pearson VUE testing center of your choice. The College advises you to schedule your exam as soon as you receive your EOD email to avoid the last-minute rush and to establish a target date for completing the course. The course exam must be taken within your assigned testing exam window.

To schedule your final exam you must contact a Pearson VUE testing center by visiting www.vue.com/tac or calling 866-392-6822. Once you’ve scheduled your appointment, Pearson VUE will send you a confirmation email, which lists the scheduled date and time of your exam, as well as directions to the testing center location, if applicable. Learn more about testing centers here. 

 

When will I know my exam results?

At the end of the allowed testing time at the testing center, you will receive a pass/fail grade and a summary of your performance by assignment. The College will e-mail an official grade report to you within 10 days after you have taken the exam.

 

What happens if I fail my exam?

If you are unsuccessful in your attempt, The College permits you to retake an exam for a fee of $125. You must wait at least two business days before you reschedule another appointment at a testing center for a failed exam.

If you fail a Personal Pathway™ final exam resulting in a failing overall course grade, you will have a two (2) week grace period from the day that your final grade is calculated to purchase a 4-week retake window for $125. The retake exam will be combined with the your previously completed coursework. You can purchase one retake or reschedule per course. If you fail the retake, do not sit for the retake, or do not exercise the option to retake within the two (2) week grace period, you will need purchase the course again at a reduced tuition rate of $300, and you will be required to complete the coursework again in your new enrollment.   Please note, your final exam score isn’t the same as your final course score. Even though you may have failed the exam, you may have passed the class because of the points you earned in the required coursework. Wait to see what your final course score is to know if you’ll need to retake the final exam. 

For the WMCP® program, students will be offered three (3) exam attempts within their program window at no additional cost (free attempts remaining expire with the program window). All additional exam attempts (no limit) within the window can be purchased at a cost of $250.

The testing window for the WMCP® program is also known as the WMCP® Program Window. The WMCP® Program Window will begin on the day that you enroll, and you will have the rest of the current month plus the next 12 months to complete the course requirements and pass the exam. Course requirements must be successfully completed in order to be eligible to take the final exam. 

WMCP®: Within the Program Window, students will be offered three (3) exam attempts at no additional cost (free attempts remaining expire with the program window). All additional exam attempts (no limit) within the window can be purchased at a cost of $250.

A Program Window Extension of five (5) months, beginning the day after the original window expires, can be activated for $495 and includes one (1) exam attempt; otherwise, course access will close and the exam will expire at the end of the Program Window. Students who fail to successfully complete all program requirements within a maximum of 18 consecutive months will lose access to the course materials and have to pay reduced program fee to enroll and start over. A Program Window Extension can be purchased in advance of the Program Window expiration, to begin at the end of the original Program Window.

What study options are available for FSCP® courses?

For electives and the certification there are two learning options available:

1) Live Online Webinars

2) Live Local Classes

The Ethics component is offered in self-study.

 

How long do I have to test after each course?

For electives and the certification course there is a four-week testing window starting the last day of the course. For example: if your course ends on 7/15/16, you have four weeks from that date to complete your exam.

For the Ethics component you have the remaining of the month you enroll in, plus four months. For example: if you enroll on 1/1/16 you have the remainder of January until the end of May to complete your final exam.

 

How much do FSCP® courses cost?

  • Electives: $510/each
  • Ethics: $170
  • Certification: $510
  • Reschedule/Retake of an exam: $75

 

What is covered in the tuition cost?

With each course you will received a hardcopy textbook, access to the online learning tools with practice exams and your final examination.

 

How are FSCP® exams taken?

Finals exams for all FSCP® courses are taken through The College’s proctored online examination process. Please see the Exams and Proctors section on the FSCP® page for more information.

 

I’ve already completed my LUTCF or FSS designation. Will that count towards the FSCP®?

  • If you have earned the LUTCF you can earn the FSCP® by completing the certification course (FP99 Foundations of Financial Planning: An Overview)
  • If you have earned the FSS you can earn the FSCP® by completing one elective course
  • If you hold both the LUTCF and FSS and now want to hold the FSCP® you will be required to sign a document relinquishing the FSS resulting in holding the FSCP®

 

I started taking courses for the LUTCF but never completed. Will those courses now count towards the FSCP®?

Not all courses will transfer over between designations. To find out which classes will, please contact an academic advisor at 888-263-7265.

How do I register for a course at The American College of Financial Services?

You can enroll online or contact an admissions advisor at 888-263-7265 Monday through Friday 8 AM – 6 PM ET. 

 

How do I create my Student Account?

If you enroll in a course online, your  student profile will be created automatically providing you access to your Student Portal.

If you’ve enrolled with one of our admissions advisors, and have not created your Student Account, you will need to create an account in order to begin your studies. Once you’ve enrolled into your course, you will receive an enrollment confirmation email with a link to access the Student Portal account setup. 

 

I forgot my username and password for my Student Account, who should I contact?

Try logging into "My Portal" and click the "Forgot Password?" link.

What is Brightspace?

Brightspace is The College’s new Learning Management System, which gives you access to all of your educational course materials for certain programs. The College is transitioning all of our programs and courses to Brightspace throughout 2020 and it will eventually fully replace Blackboard.

Brightspace is a mobile-first learning management system that puts you in the classroom on any devices and improves your access to your coursework. Brightspace provides a consistent student experience across devices, and gives you the option to download some course content for offline access by using the Brightspace app.

The platform offers a seamless experience by aggregating all essential educational materials in one spot: your course syllabus, faculty information, course announcements, ebooks/textbooks, interactive learning modules, articles, videos, discussion forums, quizzes and sample exams. Brightspace also puts you in control of customizing alerts you need to stay on track for successful completion.

WMCP® is the only designation at The College that will not reside in Brightspace or Blackboard. Instead, you will be directed from the student portal to a self-contained, immersive learning experience giving access to online reading material, interactive learning exercises, videos and simulations.  

Once I register for my first course, when should I expect to receive my materials?

If your course includes physical textbook, expect to receive it in seven to ten business days after your registration is completed. You will receive a shipping confirmation through email, immediately after your registration is processed. It is important that you provide a valid email address and home address so you receive all of the materials you need.

 

Are there additional study materials other than what is already included in my tuition cost?

 Learn more about supplementary study materials here.

 

I registered for a course, why have I not yet received my textbooks?

Please note that not all courses have a physical textbook. If your course includes a physics textbook, and you have not received your materials after 10 business days of your registration, please contact an academic advisor at 888-263-7265.

What happens if I do not test within my exam window?

There is a $125.00 reschedule fee if you are unable to take your exam within your scheduled testing window. 

If you cannot test within your scheduled exam window, please contact an academic advisor at 888-263-7265 when you are ready to reopen your window. Please note the reschedule and retake process for Personal Pathway™ courses and Intensive Review Programs (IRPs) are different; please contact an academic advisor for more information.

WMCP®: Within the Program Window, students will be offered three (3) exam attempts at no additional cost (free attempts remaining expire with the Program Window). All additional exam attempts (no limit) within the window can be purchased at a cost of $250.

A Program Window Extension of five (5) months, beginning the day after the original window expires, can be activated for $495 and includes one (1) exam attempt; otherwise, course access will close and the exam will expire at the end of the Program Window. Students who fail to successfully complete all program requirements within a maximum of 18 consecutive months will lose access to the course materials and have to pay reduced program fee to enroll and start over. A Program Window Extension can be purchased in advance of the Program Window expiration, to begin at the end of the original Program Window.

What courses can I take to fulfill a CE requirement?

Most of the Huebner School courses can be counted towards your CE credit requirements (varies by state).

Due to each state’s mandated guidelines, we may not be able to fulfill your CE request if you are taking your exam via Pearson VUE’s OnVUE online proctoring system. Students whose resident state requires a signed proctor affidavit form MUST take their exam at a Pearson VUE testing center in order to receive CE credit.

Please refer to the CE Grids by Program on the Continuing Education page to determine how many CE credits each course is worth in your resident state.

 

How do I report my CE credits to my home state?

It is required that you request CE to be reported to your home state at the time of registration. As many states have deadlines from the examination date by which your CE must be reported, The College does not guarantee CE will be accepted by your state if you request after taking the final examination and is not responsible if CE is not awarded by your state. If you have not already requested CE to be reported for your course, please contact an academic advisor at 888-263-7265 and have your state license number ready.

Am I able to obtain transfer credit for prior coursework?
Yes. You are eligible for transfer credit towards your courses provided the following:

  • You have completed comparable courses at an accredited college or university, or in The American College of Financial Services Irwin Graduate School
  • Courses were completed within seven years prior to your application date, and a grade of a "C" or better was earned


There is no charge to attempt to transfer credit. Read more about student policies here.

There is no limit to the number of courses you can attempt to transfer.

How long to do I have to complete my designation?

A student has five years from their first passed exam within a program to complete coursework.

WMCP®: WMCP® is the exception in that the WMCP® Program Window will begin on the day that you enroll, and you will have the rest of the current month plus the next twelve months to complete the course requirements and pass the exam. A Program Window Extension of five (5) months, beginning the day after the original window expires, can be activated for $495 and includes one (1) exam attempt; otherwise, course access will close and the exam will expire at the end of the Program Window.

See Student Policies to view the policy concerning timely completion of requirements for designation/degree programs. 

 

What should I expect as I am close to completing all of the required courses in my designation?

During the scheduled testing window of the last course of your selected program, you will receive a designation application. This is your notice that you are a few steps away from designation completion. To receive your designation, you must successfully complete all of the required courses in your program, meet experience requirements and ethics standards, and agree to comply with The American College of Financial Services Code of Ethics and Procedures. See Student Policies to view more information about these requirements.

 

Are there any requirements to maintain my designation once I have earned it?

Yes, designees for any of the following certifications are required to participate in the Professional Recertification Program for your designation to remain active and in good standing*:

CAP®, CASL®, ChFC®, ChSNC®, CLF®, CLU®, FSCP®, RICP®, WMCP®

Once The College awards a designation, that designee has a “right to use” the designation mark, provided all ongoing recertification requirements are met. Unlike academic degrees, designations can be removed for ethical violations or other forms of noncompliance. Please visit our Professional Recertification Program website for more information.

 

CFP® Certification Curriculum Students

In addition to completing the CFP® Certification Curriculum, students must meet additional CFP Board requirements in order to qualify to sit for the CFP® Certification examination. These include the completion of a Bachelor's degree and ethics and experience requirements. Please visit www.cfp.net for more information.

 

I’ve finished my designation or earned my graduate degree. Will I get a certificate of completion or diploma?

Students will receive a confirmation letter 24 hours after being awarded their designation.  Digital diplomas and badges are available one week after the first of month from when they are awarded.  Physical diplomas will arrive 4-6 weeks after the first of the month.  Additional information about transcripts and diplomas can be found using this link.

 

I have seen people on LinkedIn with digital badges promoting their academic achievements. How can I get my digital badge?      

The American College is proud to offer digital badges to help showcase student knowledge.  Click here for more information on digital badges.

 

Will I continue to have access to my course materials?

Students will continue to have access to course materials for up to 6 months after their course completion date via their Student Portal.   

I just registered for a course, what do I do now?

Once enrolled into your course, you will receive an enrollment confirmation email which includes your testing window deadline, information regarding Continuing Education, if applicable, and a link to access your Student Portal to begin your course. 

Some of our courses include a physical textbook. If applicable, you can expect to receive your physical textbook within  seven to 10 business days. If you need assistance with navigating through your course, please contact an academic advisor at 888-263-7265 for assistance. 

 

How are courses delivered?

Courses are offered in multiple study options including our new Personal Pathway™ course delivery model, self-study, live webinars, and live review classrooms. Click here to learn more about our course delivery methods.

 

Is there a comprehensive exam after I complete all of the courses required ChFC®, ChSNC®, CLU®, FSCP® or RICP® designation?

No. The College issues the designation after all of the required courses are completed and all other requirements are met for the ChFC®, ChSNC®, CLU®, FSCP® and RICP® and designations. The CFP® certification requires a comprehensive exam administered by the CFP® Board. Learn more information about program completion requirements here.

 

Does The American College have a school store?

We are excited to be launching a new American College store.  Please check back for more information.

 

Does The American College have an Alumni Association? 

The American College has a strong Alumni Association with more than 195,000 alumni.  The Alumni Association helps keep alumni engaged with the college after students have completed their degree or designation(s).  To learn more about the Alumni Association and how you can get more involved please reach out to Megan Cadle, Director of Volunteer and Alumni Engagement at megan.cadle@theamericancollege.edu or (616)-855-0353.

 

Is there an official commencement? 

The American College is excited to bring back commencement in 2024.  Please continue to check back for updates including commencement date and location.

 

In the past The College used to host a Knowledge Summit in a tropical destination. Does that still exist?

Knowledge Summit no longer exists at the American College.  We are excited to launch a new event in 2023 to provide continuing education credits to alumni as well as networking opportunities.  Please continue to checkback for more information on this exciting new event.

What type of Graduate Programs does The American College of Financial Services offer?

The American College of Financial Services offers Graduate programs including MSM (Master of Science in Management), MSFS (Master of Science in Financial Services, with available professional concentrations), CAP® (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®), and Graduate Certificate Programs.

 

Do I need to apply for admission into the Graduate School to enroll in the CAP® designation or any of the Graduate Certificate Programs?

No, the CAP® and certificate programs are self-study courses that can be taken without admittance into the Graduate school. Each of these courses concludes with an exam administered at a Pearson VUE testing center. To schedule an exam, please call Pearson VUE at 1-866-EXAM-TAC (1-866-392-6822).

 

Who do I contact if I have questions about the Graduate programs?

Please contact the Graduate Administration, at 610-526-1385 or e-mail Graduate.School@TheAmericanCollege.edu.

Over the years, the faculty at The American College has made a substantial number of adjustments to the various curricula of its programs. At times we have added course requirements, reduced course requirements, added electives, and eliminated electives, with each change seen as keeping the curriculum current and relevant. A by-product of these changes is that students within our programs, depending on the time they enrolled, may have somewhat different educational experiences as they pursue their designations. We want every student to have access to the most current professional education.

The College must be able to assure the public what it means to hold a designation. To this end, the faculty has agreed upon an academic standard known as the "current curriculum." Every student who is working on a designation with The College will be subject to the current curriculum requirements at that time, regardless of when the student started his or her program.

If you have any questions regarding the current curriculum or testing window changes please contact an admissions advisor at 888-263-7265, or complete the form on the contact us page.

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