Financial Planning Certificate Program

Minnesota State University, Mankato's Financial Planning Certificate Program was initiated in 1998 with the registration of the curriculum by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) in Denver, CO. The program was established to meet the need for financial planning professionals to obtain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the financial planning industry, as well as the educational requirement needed to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification is the most highly recognized and respected professional certifications among financial service professionals. This is due to its rigorous educational and examination requirements as well as the demanding standards and Code of Ethics that are administered by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-2007, employment opportunities for personal financial advisors is expected to grow "faster-than-average" (21-35 percent) for all occupations through 2014. In past handbooks, they have stated that "Financial advisors who have either the CFP® Certification or ChFC designation are expected to have the best opportunities."

MSU's program is classroom-based and designed to fulfill the education requirement for CFP® Certification. There are five courses in the program: CFIN 201 Principles of Financial Planning and Insurance, CFIN 202 Investment Planning, CFIN 203 Tax Planning, CFIN 204 Retirement Planning, and CFIN 205 Estate Planning.

This program offers:

• Flexibility: Several courses are offered each session at a variety of locations.
• Qualified faculty: The faculty are experienced financial planning professionals with CFP® certification, CPA, ChFC or JD Designations.
• Certificate in Financial Planning: Students who successfully complete all five courses with a "B" average receive an MSU Certificate in Financial Planning

CFP® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP registered logo marks are certification marks owned by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements which include the following:

• Have a Bachelor's degree
• Fulfill the education requirement
• Pass CFP Board's CFP® Certification Examination
• Satisfy a work experience requirement
• Agree to abide with CFP Board's Code of Ethics & Professional Responsibilities

Minnesota State University, Mankato does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP registered logo certification marks . CFP certification is granted 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 ethics, experience and examination requirements.