Family Financial Planning Certificate

Program Contact/Coordinator

Kathryn Morrison, Assistant Professor
School of Health and Consumer Sciences
Wagner Hall 425, Box 2275A
605-688-5161

Program Information

The graduate certificate program in Family Financial Planning is designed for students who want graduate coursework that meets the educational requirement to sit for the CFP^® Certification Examination but who do not need a Master’s degree. Family financial planning is an emerging area with job opportunities in areas related to insurance, real estate, investments, retirement, tax and estate planning. Financial planners are increasingly in demand as Americans seek advisers to help manage their income, assets, and debts.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will communicate a financial plan with consumers and communities.
• Students will recognize ethical standards for financial planners as prescribed by the CFP Board.
• Students will demonstrate listening and counseling skills needed to help families with financial management.
• Students will calculate time value of money calculation.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

The Family Financial Planning graduate program is registered by the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM Board of Standards. CFP^® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM are federally registered service marks of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM Board of Standards, Inc. They are granted by the CFP^® Board to those persons who have fulfilled a comprehensive educational requirement, passed the CFP® Certification Examination, satisfied a work experience requirement and agreed to abide by the CFP^® Board code of ethical conduct.

• The graduate certificate in Financial Planning does not guarantee a student will pass the CFP^® exam.
• In earning the graduate certificate in Financial Planning through the Great Plains IDEA, students receive the education required to take the exam.
• After completing the necessary educational requirements, students work with the CFP Board on examination, experience and ethics requirements for CFP^® certification.

Certified Financial Planner^TM professionals have the satisfaction of helping people reach their financial goals. The CFP Board website at www.cfp.net has extensive CFP^® certification information.

Students admitted to the Great Plains IDEA online degree program are advised to obtain the Guide to CFP^® Certification. The guide includes an application for the exam, exam fee information, exam procedures and information on the required work experience.

• Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, and CFP (with flame logo)^®, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.
• Great Plains IDEA institutions do not certify individuals to use the CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and CFP (with flame logo)^® certification marks. CFP^® Certification is granted only by the 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.

Course Delivery Format

The online program has been developed by faculty from the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GP-IDEA). Courses will be entirely online and will be taught by faculty within the Alliance (Iowa State University, Montana State University, North Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University, and University of Nebraska Lincoln). Courses are offered fall, spring and summer semesters.