Financial Planning is a fast-growing business.
Rated as one of the best jobs in America by publications
such as the Jobs Rated Almanac, financial planning has become
highly valued as a service to individuals of all means and
occupations.
The changing nature of the financial services industry
calls for highly-qualified practitioners with exceptional
skills,
current knowledge, and a commitment to ethics. The result
is a growing demand for certified financial planners who
can provide the sound financial advice people are seeking.
According to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards,
Inc. 2004 survey, 42 percent of upper-income earners are
consulting with financial professionals, compared to just
32 percent in 1999. A survey of general households also indicates
that nearly two-thirds of those nearing retirement are consulting
with professionals. As baby boomers age and earnings continue
to advance, the number of people looking for professional
financial advice on investment strategy and planning will continue
to grow.
What is the mark of a first-rate financial professional?
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification can lead
to higher earnings and greater personal satisfaction. Over
the last three years, financial planners have reported an
increase in gross earning of $20,000-$40,000 in the year
following their CFP® certification. More than 95 percent
of them report feeling satisfied or very satisfied with their
careers.
Program Audience
Northwestern University’s School of Continuing Studies
offers a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Certification
Education Program designed for professionals in the financial
planning field and for those individuals whose work overlaps
into other financial sectors – including accounting,
banking, brokerage, insurance, and law. Individuals considering
a change of career are also encouraged to enroll in the program.
Learning Goals
The main goals of this program are to provide individuals
with the educational requirements needed to be eligible
to take the CFP® Certification Examination and to understand
how to address the concerns and needs of their clients.
The program includes a Case Studies course designed to
help the student integrate all of their knowledge from each
of the first
six courses through the use of case analysis.
Schedule
We offer two tracks for completing your education. You
can choose between our Standard
Program and our Accelerated
Program.
In addition, we also offer Custom Programs for companies.
Standard Program
This program begins in September and January at our Chicago
Loop campus and our Evanston campus. In this format, most
classes meet one night per week for twelve weeks. This program
will take approximately twenty-one months to complete. This format is highly recommended for those with significant time commitments.
Northwestern University has partnered with the BOE Institute to offer an accelerated certification education program to be completed in around twelve months. In this intensive design, classes meet one Friday-Saturday (8 am- 5pm) per month (the first module is a three-day session). Information on this program is available from the BOE Institute .
Our program consists of seven required courses. Courses are designed to be taken in sequence, but students may register any time a new course begins.
Course 1: Introduction to Financial Planning*
Course 5: Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
Course 2: Insurance Planning*
Course 6: Estate Planning
Course 3: Investment Planning
Course 7: Case Studies in Financial Planning
Course 4: Income Tax Planning
* Introduction to Financial Planning (300-0) and Insurance Planning (301-0) replace our old Fundamentals of Planning and Insurance Planning (311-0) course. Students who have already completed 311-0 do not need to take 300-0 or 301-0.
Our curriculum is registered with
the Certified Financial Planner
Board of Standards, Inc. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern
at the end of the seventh course. In addition, the program
fulfills the educational
requirements to sit for the CFP® Certification
Examination conducted three times annually (usually March,
July and November) by the CFP Board of Standards, Inc.
Program Requirements
Please note: Beginning January 1, 2007, candidates for CFP®
certification must earn a bachelor's degree prior to holding
the CFP® certification. For more information about CFP® certification
please visit: www.cfp.net
Currently, there are no prerequisites or admissions process
for Northwestern's program; however a general knowledge
of finance terms and an
understanding of financial planning issues are desired.
It is strongly recommended that you enroll in the extended
program if you do not possess a strong financial background.
Additional requirements of the program include:
Computer and internet access
Proficiency with a financial calculator (calculator
training workshops are available)
All coursework must be completed with a minimum grade
of "C" or better
Certificate of Completion
Students who successfully complete all the courses will
be awarded a Certificate of Completion from the School of
Continuing
Studies at Northwestern University.
Within three months following the completion of your final
course, students must complete and return the Certificate
Completion form (PDF Format) to the Registration Office
on the Chicago Campus.
CFP® Certification Examination Review Course
Northwestern University has partnered with Keir Educational Resources to offer a CFP® Certification Examination Review Course for individuals who are preparing to take the CFP® Certification Examination. Students are strongly urged to complete an examination review course prior to taking the comprehensive exam.
Transfer Students & Challenge
Status
The School of Continuing Studies at
Northwestern will allow students to transfer two courses
from other registered CFP® programs. In order to transfer
these courses, students must produce official records from
the
university that prove they received a grade of C or higher
in each course.
Send official records by fax to 312-503-4942 or by email
to Matt Hlinak (m-hlinak@northwestern.edu). You will be contacted
once the transfer has been reviewed, so please be sure to
include contact information in your correspondence.
Challenge Status Students
The CFP Board has approved a list of degrees or credentials
that students must possess in order to waive fulfilling the
educational requirements. You may automatically sit for the
exam if you possess one of the following degrees or credentials
from that list. For more information, visit www.cfp.net/downloads/GuidetoCert.pdf (PDF Format).
Students having challenge status may join our program for
individual courses to strengthen their knowledge in a particular
topic
area.
Custom Programs
The School of Continuing Studies works with corporate
partners to develop
custom CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Certification
Education programs to meet their specific needs. This program
can be held at your company location.
Northwestern
Excellence
Northwestern
University is a preeminent university recognized internationally as a hallmark of academic excellence.
School of Continuing Studies programs provide students with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, professional and personal growth.
SCS instructors bring outstanding academic credentials and relevant professional experience to the classroom to create a highly interactive, collaborative, and challenging learning environment.
SCS students study with peers who have rich, diverse backgrounds and can provide lifelong learning connections.
Please note: Beginning
January 1, 2007, candidates for CFP® certification must
earn a bachelor's degree prior to holding the CFP® certification.
For more information about CFP® certification please visit: www.cfp.net
CFP®,
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered
CFP (with
flame logo) are certification marks owned by Certified Financial
Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Northwestern
University does not certify individuals to use the CFP®,
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and marks. CFP® certification
is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of
Standards
Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational
requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have
met ethics, experience and examination requirements.
