Improve your career options with a professional certificate in Financial Planning
With a Professional Financial Planning Certificate from the University of Utah you will fulfill the educational requirements to sit for the CFP Certification Examination. The CFP® Certification is one of the most recognized designations in the financial advising industry. Completing the education requirement is an important step toward the CFP® certification.
In this 18-credit equivalent program, you will learn a broad range of personal financial planning concepts in the areas of insurance and income tax planning, retirement and estate planning, and investment strategies. The curriculum is designed to prepare you for career success and follow guidelines established by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. This is a six-course, online program.
This certificate is offered in collaboration with the Department of Family and Consumer Studies with the College of Social and Behavioral Science. These collaborative noncredit certificates utilize existing for-credit classes and as such, have unique application requirements which are described in the information below.
This program prepares individuals for careers in the financial planning field. It is designed for:
Upon successful completion of this certificate program, students should be able to:
This noncredit Financial Planning Certificate Program is a registered program with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. The program meets specific criteria set forward by the CFP® Board for educating individuals who wish to fulfill the Education component for obtaining CFP® certification. Individuals who meet the CFP® Board's education requirement are eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination. Successful completion of the Education and Examination components completes two of the four core prerequisites to obtain CFP® certification. The other two components are Experience and Ethics.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements. The University of Utah does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and certification marks. CFP® certification is granted only by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements.
For more information regarding the CFP® certification process, please visit www.cfp.net
Courses – Six (6) noncredit courses are required to be passed within four (4) years of starting the first class.
Format – All six courses are offered online, with some in-person offerings of FCSC 350 varying by term.
Prerequisites – Students pursuing the certificate should already have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. FCSC 555 must be taken in the last semester of study, as the previous 5 courses are prerequisites to registering for this class.
Course Schedule – The courses required for the certificate are offered in a regular sequence each year.
Term | Courses Available | |
---|---|---|
Fall | FCSC 350, FCSC 551, FCSC 552 | |
Spring | FCSC 350, FCSC 553, FCSC 554 | |
Summer | FCSC 350, FCSC 555 |
Course Sequencing – Students should complete classes in sequential order of FCSC 350, FCSC 551, FCSC 552, FCSC 553, FCSC 554, and FCSC 555. Students varying from the sequence should work with an academic advisor to determine options for taking courses. Contact information for the advising team can be found at the bottom of this page under “Contact Us”.
Recommended Programs of Study – There are two recommended options for programs of study. Please note, students that have little or no experience in the financial industry may benefit from taking FCSC 350 as their first course in the certificate on its own, as an introduction.
Option 1 – Fall start / Total completion time – 12 months (3 semesters)
Term | Courses Available | |
---|---|---|
Fall 1 | FCSC 350, FCSC 551, FCSC 552 | |
Spring 1 | FCSC 553, FCSC 554 | |
Summer 1 | FCSC 555 |
Option 2 – Summer start / Total completion time – 15 months (4 semesters)
Term | Courses Available | |
---|---|---|
Summer 1 | FCSC 350 | |
Fall 1 | FCSC 551, FCSC 552 | |
Spring 1 | FCSC 553, FCSC 554 | |
Summer 2 | FCSC 555 |
Qualified certificate students will have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
This noncredit certificate program is not open to University of Utah matriculated (degree-seeking) students. Degree-seeking students wishing to complete the CFP education requirements should consult with the Financial Planning Program advisor.
How can I achieve the CFP® Certification and become a CFP® professional?
This noncredit program meets specific criteria set forward by the CFP® Board to fulfill the education requirement to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination. Earning the CFP® certification demonstrates a standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning. Successful completion of the Education component completes one of the four core prerequisites to obtain the CFP® certification. The other three components are passing the CFP® Certification Examination, fulfilling the experience requirement, and adhering to the high standards of ethics.
Can I transfer in courses from other programs or universities?
For students who have completed CFP certificate classes previously in a for-credit format at the University of Utah, within the last five years, but who are not currently admitted, up to five 3 credit classes may be used towards the noncredit certificate. This does not apply to the capstone class, FCSC 555, which must be completed at the end of the noncredit certificate.
For students who have completed a certificate class at another CFP Board approved program, up to one 3 credit class may be transferred into the noncredit certificate. This does not apply to the capstone class, FCSC 555, which must be completed at the end of the University of Utah noncredit certificate.
What can I expect from the Financial Planning Capstone Course?
The capstone course is a unique experience that will integrate knowledge gained in previous courses to evaluate case studies and complete projects both individually and in teams. Guest speakers and interaction with current CFP professionals bring real-world situations and experiences to this valuable course.
What are career opportunities for CFP professionals?
There are numerous career opportunities and resources available for CFP professionals. For more information about how to pursue a career in financial planning, please visit the CFP Board career development website.
Are there any special technical or computer requirements for any of the courses?
A financial calculator, such as an HP 12C, is required for FCSC 350 and recommended for the other certificate courses.
The Professional Certificate in Financial Planning requires six noncredit courses. Courses are offered during a traditional 16-week semester and meet with for-credit sections.
This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of financial planning. Students will receive an overview of specific areas of financial planning such as income tax planning, investment planning, retirement planning and estate planning. In addition, the course will present topics on the concepts of time value of money, insurance planning, and the practice of personal financial planning by professional planners.
This course introduces risk-return concepts, debt and equity securities, and options and futures contracts. The course uses a portfolio project to evaluate the array of financial instrument investment alternatives and their risk profile. Participants analyze expected return characteristics, individually and in combination within a portfolio. Different investment strategies and valuation models are used to understand basic investment principles and practices.
This course includes the comprehensive study of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, other tax-advantaged plans, and employee benefits. In addition, this course will present an overview of the Social Security, disability and health care programs.
The application of income tax laws to the transactions of individuals and businesses is important in planning for the avoidance, minimization, and deferral of taxation. This course examines the federal income tax system with particular reference to the income taxation of individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations (including S corporations).
This course will provide students with an introduction to estate planning and the taxation of estates for the purposes of financial planning. Topics covered by this course include the tax implications of gifts and bequests, federal estate tax, revocable and irrevocable trusts, including bypass and marital deduction trusts.
This course will cover and review in depth some of the different areas of financial planning necessary to complete a comprehensive financial plan for a client. During this course students will work individually and in groups to bring knowledge together from each of the relevant pre-requisite courses to evaluate case study situations representing samples of what may be encountered in the work place as a CFP Professional. Prerequisites: FCSC 350, 551, 552, 553, 554 or instructor approval.
Program Cost – Noncredit tuition for each course is $750. This does not include costs associated with required textbooks, which may vary from semester to semester. There is an additional $195 fee for the final class in the series, FCSC 555, that is specifically for the education verification of the student charged to us by the CFP Board. The cost of the full certificate is $4,695, not including costs for textbooks or other course materials.
Tuition is due at the beginning of each course offering a convenient pay-as-you-go option. Textbooks are additional costs. Tuition listed subject to change without advance notice.
Why choose the University of Utah?
We understand that you have a choice when it comes to taking professional development courses and we work hard to earn your trust with each and every class!
By selecting the University of Utah, you’ll enjoy the following benefits whether you’re coming to us as someone new to the job market, a career changer, a seasoned professional or a lifelong learner.
Resume Power - benefit from the University of Utah reputation for credibility and quality. Choosing the University of Utah for your certificate program makes a clear statement about your commitment to excellence.
Instructor Excellence - learn from the same high-quality faculty that teach in our degree programs.
The Power of the U Network – students have access to a valuable University of Utah peer and faculty network.
Programs that Fit Your Schedule – most of our certificates offer convenient online or evening classes that offer a schedule that works around you. Go to class whenever and wherever you want.
How to register for the Professional Certificate in Financial Planning
Deadlines and other important application information
Certificate Completion Requirements
How is my accomplishment recognized?
For students earning an “S-Satisfactory" grade, the completed certificate will appear on University of Utah official transcripts.
Students will also be awarded a University of Utah digital credential (badge) that can be shared on social media sites and used with other professional resources. Digital badges are embedded with metadata that validate the skills demonstrated and other requirements for earning the badge.Digital Credentials / Badges
Follow the link on the badge to the left to find out what metadata is behind the Yoga Teacher Training Certificate or Caring for the Aging Population Micro-certificate badge. This is an example of the type of information you’ll find behind all our academic noncredit certificates.
Find out more about Digital Badges at the University of Utah
Are there exams? Am I graded?
Certificate classes are graded with a "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" option. For successful certificate completion, students must achieve a "satisfactory" grade in all classes.
Can I apply these classes to a degree at the University of Utah?
This certificate is noncredit and cannot be applied to any for-credit degree.
Is there a minimum or maximum number of courses a student may take in a semester?
There is no minimum or maximum number of courses a student may take in a semester. The certificate must be completed within four (4) years. Students skipping one or more semesters are encouraged to communicate with their program advisor regarding completion plans.
Will I have flexibility in what classes I take and when?
Once admitted, students are responsible for enrolling in individual classes on their own through the Continuing Education website. Students may consult with the certificate program manager if they have questions about specific courses (See contact us section).
Are these classes eligible for federal financial aid?
Students pursuing a certificate are considered "non-degree seeking," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid loan programs.
What is the average weekly time commitment for each of the classes?
Students can expect to spend approximately 6 hours per week outside of the classroom, per class.
What are the online courses like?
The online courses in this certificate are flexible in that you don't have to attend online classes at a specific time. Our students use a combination of self-study and peer-to-peer interaction over an online learning network to facilitate instruction. You'll complete weekly assignments, readings, discussions, and occasional group work, as well as exams and other activities designed to enhance learning outcomes, all at times that are most convenient to you.
Using chat, video conferencing, phone calls, email, social media, bulletin boards, and more, you'll stay connected with fellow students and faculty, building personal networks along the way.
Your courses are developed by faculty and instructional designers who understand the specific needs of learners in an online environment. Special consideration is given to advance planning and setting expectations in the online classroom, so each curriculum is outlined in a syllabus distributed at the start of the course. This document provides an overview of the course assignments, grading strategy, student and faculty expectations, and course materials, as well as an understanding of the course goals and learning outcomes.
Does it matter which course I take first or in what order I take the classes?
Yes. Courses in this certificate program should be taken in sequential order. See the “Certificate Details” section above for more information.
You have a variety of resources available to help you navigate your way through your experience at the U. Below we've listed the contacts that you will likely interact with the most.
Contact the Noncredit Certificates Program for questions about class requirements, completion process or overall experience.
Taylor Bond
Certificates and Contracts Coordinator
certificates@utah.edu
(801) 581-7912
Contact the Department of Family and Consumer Studies for questions about class experience and flow, pre-requisites, or any class-specific information.
Jenny Stout
Academic Advisor
(801) 581-6521
advisor@fcs.utah.edu
Su Shin
Assistant Professor, Family and consumer Studies
su.shin@fcs.utah.edu
Class Title | Next Start Date |
---|---|
Financial Skills For Life | 08/19/2024 |
Building Family Wealth: Investment And Life Insurance Planning | 08/19/2024 |
Retirement and Benefit Planning for Families | 08/19/2024 |