Accelerated Certificate in Financial Planning
In addition to our standard Certificate in Financial Planning, we offer an accelerated path to earn your CFP® certification in a graduate studies framework. With just four courses, you can become eligible to site for the CFP exam.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the this accelerated certificate program, you must have one of the following credentials:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
- Licensed Attorney
- Doctor of Business Administration
- D. in Financial Planning, Finance, Business Administration or Economics
- CFP certification from the Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. from outside the U.S.
Benefits
- Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- USDLA-award-winning online classes
- Access to nationally-recognized faculty with degrees and industry certifications
- Listed as one of the Top Schools in November issue of Financial Planning Magazine
- Multiple program entry points within the academic year
- The ability to take classes fully online.
- Flexibility that accommodates the needs of the full-time working adult
- Cal Lutheran’s Certificate program in Financial Planning is registered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) in Washington DC.
Program Completion Time
Students can complete this certificate program in about 7 months by taking one course per term.
Courses
MFP 598 – Capstone Course in Financial Planning
In addition to the capstone course, choose three of the following:
- MFP 521 – Introduction to Financial Planning
- MFP 522 – Tax Management and Strategy
- MFP 525 – Employee Benefits/Retirement Planning
- MFP 526 – Risk Management and Insurance
- MFP 527 – Principles of Estate Planning
- MFP 542 – Investment and Portfolio Management
- MFP 535 – Psychology and Cultural Dynamics
Admission Requirements
- A completed online application and non-refundable application fee
- Graduate Program Advisement with an admission counselor
- Official Transcript(s) from a regionally accredited college or university verifying the applicant’s bachelor’s degree or equivalent with an acceptable GPA.
- Two Academic or Professional Recommendations
- Proof of certification or licensure
Tuition & Fees
The Financial Planning Certificate allows professionals to continue graduate-level study at a significantly discounted rate - approximately 40 percent less than the regular MBA tuition.
| Tuition | $350 per credit |
| Technology Fee | $60 per term |
| Application Fee | $25 online $50 paper |
| Late Registration Fee for registration submitted after the add/drop deadline |
$50 |
| Late Transaction Fee for employer reimbursement applications received after the second week of the semester |
$50 |
| Transcript Fee | $5.00 minimum Additional fees may apply, refer to the Registrar's site |
All fees are subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to change, delete or add to this pricing schedule as deemed appropriate. Transcripts and diploma will not be released for any student who has an outstanding balance owed to Cal Lutheran.
The CFP® Board is a nonprofit professional regulatory organization that requires education,
ethics requirements, examination, and experience for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
certificants. Along with completing the financial planning coursework and passing
the CFP® Certification Examination, the CFP® Board also requires successful CFP® certificants
to have financial planning-related work experience and adhere to their Code of Ethics
and Professional Responsibility.
The MBA and Certificate program in Financial Planning is registered by the Certified
Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) in Washington DC. Candidates
who plan to sit for the CFP Certification Examination must successfully complete a
CFP Board-Registered Program.