Important Notices
Click here to learn more about the new Financial Plan Development and Presentation Course.
For information on "Challenge Status", click here.
Next Online "Live" Cohort begins May 7, 2012. Click here to learn more. |
Career Prospects in Financial Planning
- US News rates CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERSTM as one of the “50 best careers in 2011.”
- The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment is expected to grow by 20% for personal financial advisors from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations.
- The CFP Board 2011 industry survey reviews that 86% of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERSTM are extremely satisfied with their career choice.
- CNNMoney ranked financial advisors #3 in their list of 20 fasting growing jobs with a median pay at $93,000.
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CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Certification Education Program
Financial planning encompasses a broad range of skills including budgeting, taxation, investing, retirement and estate planning. However, not all financial advisers are created equal. Financial planners with CFP Board certification have the industry leading credential that can help propel them ahead in their chosen career.
Why Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies
The Northwestern University CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERSTM Education Certification Program focuses on developing your fundamental skills as a financial planner, as well as preparing you to sit for the rigorous national exam. We offer you several choices in your education, including once-a-week, weekend intensive and online classes. We use the latest technology to reach you in the classroom and wherever your travels may take you. Our faculty come directly from the trade and have years of experience in the field. Many have also worked directly on the CFP Board itself.
Our goal is to make your career aspirations come alive through your education at Northwestern University’s School of Continuing Studies. Our professional programs staff understands your needs as a working professional, and we are there to support you in your academic endeavors.
Topics covered
The same topics are required in all programs although the specific course names may differ. In some cases, multiple topics are taught in the same course. Typically there are about seven (7) required courses, with an optional course in the financial planning HP calculator. So whichever program option you decide is the right one for you, you’ll get the same high-quality education.
The required educational topics include:
- General principles of financial planning
- Insurance planning and risk management
- Employee benefits planning
- Investment planning
- Income tax planning
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
- Financial Plan Development and Presentation Course
Program Options
We offer multiple program delivery options to fit your work/lifestyle. Each program is approved by the CFP Board and contains virtually the same content. Each program is designed to teach you not only how to be a financial planner, but to pass the CFP® certification examination. Participants who pass all required courses will also receive a certificate of completion from Northwestern University, one of the world’s top universities, which they can proudly display on their wall and share with their clients.
The different options include:
- Traditional, weekly, in-class instruction
- Accelerated weekend-only program
- Live online program
- Self-paced online program
Program Matrix
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Standard Program |
Accelerated Program |
Live Online
|
Self-paced Online |
Schedule |
Weekly, 6-9pm on weeknights |
Once a month, all-day, on Friday and Saturday |
Live, online weekly meetings, weeknights, but you can review on your own time, too |
Self-paced, online |
Location |
Chicago Loop |
Chicago Loop |
Online |
Online |
Duration |
21 months |
9 months |
9 months |
Typically 9 months but can be done more quickly or over a longer period |
Audience |
People brand new to the industry and those who want to take the course in a traditional classroom format |
People with some financial industry experience and who can devote an entire weekend per month |
People with some financial industry experience and who may have busy work/life schedules and prefer the structure of live classroom with the flexibility of attending from home or work. |
Self-motivated learner with experience in financial services |
Tuition and books
For New Students Entering after January 1, 2012 |
$5,120 Tuition
$700 to $800 for books |
$6,050 Tuition & books included
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$5,650 Tuition
$700 to $800 for books |
Tuition and books between $2,495 and $4,295 depending on options |
Ready to Register? |
Course schedule, registration and more information |
Course schedule, registration and more information |
Course schedule, registration and more information |
Course schedule, registration and more information |
Financial Plan Presentation Course |
Offered in Spring 2012 (Click here to find out exact dates) |
Offered in Spring 2012 (Click here to send an email to find out exact dates) |
Beginning in January 2012 (Click here for more information) |
Beginning in January 2012 (Click here for more information) |
Do you have more questions? Please contact us or learn more on our FAQ page.
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.
Contact Us
If you would like to speak with someone to get more information about a program or course, give us a call or email us today!
Call: 312-503-0714
Email: pdp@northwestern.edu
Office Hours
- Our office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- If you call us and reach our voice mail, please leave a detailed message.
- We try to return phone calls within the same business day.
- You may wish to leave a best time to contact you.
- You can also email us and we will respond within 1 business day or less.
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.
Schedules, prices and content are subject to change.
Financial Plan Presentation Course – Challenge Candidates
Effective November 18th, 2011, challenge candidates that did not previously sit for the CFP® Certification Examination will be required to complete the Financial Plan Presentation course in order to sit for the March 2012 exam, or later. If a challenge candidate registered for the November 2011 CFP® exam as a “challenge candidate”, but did not pass the November exam, they are not required to complete the Financial Plan Presentation course to take the exam in March 2012 or later.
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