Do I need to take the courses in the program in order?
Do I need to take all the courses at the same location?
What is your program's pass rate on the CFP examination?
How much study time outside of class is there for each class?
How long does it take to complete the program?
What is the cost of books and other supplies?
Do I have to have the HP10Bii calculator?
How do I obtain Continuing Education for the courses?
What if I have taken courses from another program?
Are there tests at the end of each course?
How do I apply for the CFP® Certification Examination?
Do you assist in job placement after we complete the program?
How do I obtain a transcript of my courses?
What is the cancellation policy for the program?
The courses in the Financial Planning Certificate Program are numbered, but they do not have to be taken in chronological order. It is recommended that you take CFIN 201 Principles of Financial Planning and Insurance early in your studies.
You can take the courses from just one or all of the locations (including online). You just need to complete the required courses.
The pass rate has been above the national average for five consecutive years for participants who complete the Financial Planning Certificate Program with Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The answer to this question varies, but most past students say for every hour in class they spent 1-2 hours outside of class studying.
The five courses in the program can be completed in as little as 10 months or as long as 3 years depending on location.
The per course cost of the texts averages about $150 per course. There are optional Keir Educational Resources materials which can be ordered and on average cost $80 per course. The suggested HP10Bii financial calculator averages $40.
If you are comfortable using another non-programmable financial calculator (i.e. HP 12C), you may use that, but the instructors will teach the students to use the HP 10Bii. For the CFP® Certification Examination, you will need a financial calculator with an internal rate of return (IRR) function for problems with unequal periodic cash flows. Calculators with alphabetic keys will not be permitted.
Insurance CEUs are only provided for face to face courses, not the online courses. The certificate for insurance CEU's will be sent to anyone that provides their license number. You will also receive a completion certificate that may work for other CEU's. If you have questions, please contact fpcp@mnsu.edu
You can take a challenge exam for up to two of the five topic courses in the program. Challenge exams can only be taken once per course. The challenge exams are multiple choice tests and graded with a letter grade. There is a $100 fee for each challenge exam. If you would like to schedule an exam, please contact fpcp@mnsu.edu
If the program is registered with CFP Board, you can either transfer the courses into our program to receive a Certificate in Financial Planning from Minnesota State University, Mankato or you may apply for the CFP® Certification Examination with your completion certificates from the MSU program and from the other program. If the program is not registered with CFP Board, you must take all required courses from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
You will be graded on the entire course, not just one exam. You will be given a final examination on your last class meeting and this will be a part of your final grade. There is not just one test at the end of each course as seen with self study programs.
When you successfully complete our program, you will be provided with the information on applying for the CFP® Certification Examination via U.S. Mail, including a list of topics that are tested on the exam . Information can also be found online.
Minnesota State University, Mankato will submit your completion status to the CFP Board. If you have courses from another Board registered program, contact Jean Clarke, Program Coordinator, while taking your last class from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
We do not assist in placement after completion of the program, but periodically we receive job opening notifications and forward those onto our email list.
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.
A complete, computerized transcript of each professional development activity attended at Minnesota State University, Mankato is maintained for those individuals completing a program. Individuals can request an unofficial or official hour-based transcript by contacting the Office of the Registrar. A nominal service charge applies for official transcripts.
Notification must be received five (5) business days prior to the first class date for a refund to be processed. Notifications will be accepted using telephone, U.S. Mail, fax, e-mail, or hand delivery. Financial Planning Certificate Program ONLY: In order to receive an incomplete "I" in a given course, the student is required to notify the Program Coordinator on or before completing 12 hours of the total 44 instructional hours (this is equivalent to 3 weeks in the online course). If an incomplete is received, the student will have 2 years to make up the course work. The student may retake the exact same course (one-time) on a space available basis within that two year period.
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
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Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
