Financial Planning Certificate

Description

The Financial Planning Certificate serves adult learners in the financial planning field with existing undergraduate degrees by providing the education element of the requirements for those wishing to become a Certified Financial Planner™. Students who are currently completing an undergraduate degree at Carroll College may also pursue the Financial Planning Certificate. Financial Planning professionals are unable to take the CFP Board exam to become a CFP® Certificant until first completing the required curriculum from a CFP Board Registered Program. Carroll College has been approved by CFP Board to offer a CFP Board Registered Certificate Program, effective September 4, 2020.

Student Learning Outcomes

Along with previous completion of a bachelor's degree, the eight required courses fulfill the principal knowledge topics education requirement for the Certified Financial Planning Board. The certificate curriculum provides students the necessary education to qualify to take the CFP Board exam, and students will learn all components needed to create comprehensive financial plans that are uniquely appropriate for individual clients while utilizing technical skills as well as soft skills such as active listening, psychological and sociological insights, and communication skills.

Upon completion of the Certified Financial Planning certificate program students will:

• apply fundamental concepts and practices in financial planning.
• utilize psychological and sociological concepts to the practice of financial planning to help clients achieve financial security.
• recognize and practice ethical behavior that is required from a fiduciary as established in the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
• practice and perfect the professional responsibilities of financial planning professionals.
• construct coherent oral and written forms of communication and present them in a professional manner.
  

Certificate Program Requirements

Required Courses:

BA 313	Managerial Finance	3
	or
BA 314	Foundations of Investment Planning	2
BA 318	Foundations of Financial Planning	3
BA 411	Investment Planning	1
BA 412	Insurance Planning	2
BA 414	Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits	3
BA 415	Federal Taxation	3
BA 421	Estate Planning	3
BA 451	Advanced Financial Analysis & Planning	3

Notes:

1. All financial planning certificate students must earn a grade of “C-” or better in all required courses, and must achieve an overall 3.00 GPA in the certificate program.
2. All undergraduate certificate students will take Managerial Finance (BA-313) rather than Foundations of Investment Planning (BA-314).
3. Individuals having an earned undergraduate degree in any major and discipline may enroll in the Financial Planning Certificate Program.
4. Post-Baccalaureate Financial Planning Certificate students are able to complete the program completely online. However, students residing in the Helena area are welcome, but not required, to join in-class sessions.
5. CFP Board allows those with certain professional designations such as a CPA, CFA®, or CLU®, and with certain advanced degrees such as practicing attorneys, a doctorate of business administration (DBA), or several business discipline related PhDs to take the accelerated path by successfully completing only the BA-451 capstone course. Contact CFP Board for further information regarding, and verification of, qualifying credentials.