Family Financial Planning Certificate

Location(s): Online

Person looking at data on a piece of paper.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Nicole Klein, Associate Director
Ness School of Management and Economics
Harding Hall 100
605-688-4141

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.

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^T^M 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 Innovative Digital Education Alliance (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 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.
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 Innovative Digital Education Alliance (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 in the fall, spring and summer semesters.

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.

Certificate Requirements

CA 660 - Investing for Family’s Future Credits: 3
CA 680 - Insurance Planning for Families Credits: 3
CA 704 - Estate Planning for Families Credits: 3
CA 725 - Family, Employment Benefits and Retirement Planning Credits: 3
CA 735 - Personal Income Taxation Credits: 3
CA 755 - Financial Planning Case Study Credits: 3

Total Required Credits: 18

Notes

Students without a background in financial planning should take CA 640 - Fundamentals of Family Financial Planning .

Additional Admission Requirements

TOEFL: 71 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

Additional Information

Students enrolled in SDSU certificate programs are not eligible for federal student financial aid. The non-federal alternative loan programs may be used for students meeting the lender criteria as found at www.sdstate.edu (search alternative loans). For further information, please contact the SDSU financial aid office at 605-688-4695 or finaid@sdstate.edu.