About this badge

Tuition: $5,250

Program Description

As millions of baby boomers reach retirement age, the need for certified financial planners to guide them will grow exponentially. In fact, in the decade spanning 2012-2022, overall employment in the field of financial planning is expected to grow 27 percent.* The most recognized credential in the industry is the Certified Financial Planner (CFP)® designation.

The Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning provides practical training for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP)® Board education requirements in the nine major personal financial planning areas that include general principles of financial planning, insurance planning and risk management, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, interpersonal communication, professional conduct and fiduciary responsibility, and financial plan development. This three-semester diploma, which is offered in person, will cover all 72 domains required by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. within these nine areas to fulfill the educational requirements necessary to sit for the Certified Financial Planner Certification Examination.

The Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning is ideal for professionals and college graduates who want to pursue a career in financial planning; for those who work with financial planners, accountants, attorneys, real estate agents, stockbrokers, or insurance agents; and for individuals who are interested in learning about long-term, life-cycle financial planning.

All faculty members teaching in this diploma program are credentialed financial planning professionals. Course materials will provide multiple opportunities for applying, integrating, and synthesizing topics learned throughout the program. Cases, exercises, and practice questions require that you build a foundation of knowledge and then to apply it in "real-life" client scenarios.

The overall curriculum, textbooks, materials, and instruction provide an educational offering that prepares you with a strong foundation to practice financial planning and to be successful on the Certified Financial Planner Certification Examination.

*US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Work Product

You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your technical knowledge and practical training by developing a complex financial plan that addresses a "real-life" client scenario. To further strengthen the necessary skills of a financial planner in this industry, you will be required to exhibit your ability to communicate complex financial planning techniques in a clear, fair, and relevant manner during a simulated client presentation.

Job Skills

• Knowledge of investment and insurance planning

• Development of recommendations using time value of money concepts and financial planning software

• Communication and presentation findings

• Preparation of written financial and investment plans to clients

• Knowledge of the current economic environment

Job Titles

• Certified Financial Planner

• Asset Manager

• Wealth Management Adviser

• Paraplanner

• Financial Adviser