Online Program

Certificate in Financial Planning

Overview

As an early pioneer of online delivery, the Certified Financial Planning Program offered by FSU, continues its tradition of academic excellence in the non-credit, professional development space. Our programs provide an established curriculum, a distinguished faculty and two successful program structures that have been designed to meet the diverse needs of those working towards CFP certification.

 

Program Structure

Choose Traditional or Fast Track Program

We now offer two programs, a Traditional Program and an Executive Fast-Track Program. The Traditional Program has been a popular selection among students seeking CFP certification for over 2 decades. The Traditional track offers 10 week core courses while the Executive Fast-Track offers 6 week core courses.

Complete Seven Courses Less Than a Year

Both the Traditional and Executive Fast-Track Programs offer each of the seven courses two times a year allowing students to customize their learning experience by selecting how to manage their program schedule. These different tracks offer the same quality content and instruction. The Executive Fast-Track is simply more condensed allowing the student to complete the program in less than a year.

Pay-As-You-Go

Both programs offer a Pay-As-You-Go structure (students are NOT REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE COURSES UP FRONT). This allows students to test out either program before making a financial commitment. The price per course is the same regardless of the track chosen.

Go at Your Own Pace

Both programs provide the flexibility for students to learn at their own pace while staying on-track with weekly reading assignments and interactions with instructors and peers.

Online Courses

$495

per core course

Capstone Course

$995

Capstone course

Fast Track Program

ONLINE COURSE

Accelerate your journey through financial planning with our fast-track program, designed to cover key concepts and practical skills in a condensed time frame. Ideal for those seeking to gain expertise quickly without compromising on depth and quality.


The Fast Track Introduction to Financial Planning course is now a

Self-Paced Format

Click to learn more

Program Calendar

Click on a course title for more information about each course including instructor and textbook.

Course
Course Dates and Registration Links
Click course title
for more info
TRADITIONAL
TRACK
TRADITIONAL
TRACK
TRADITIONAL
TRACK
TRADITIONAL
TRACK
TRADITIONAL
TRACK

 

Oct. 7, 2022 -
Dec. 18, 2022
Closed
Section 72
Apr. 7, 2023 -
June 18, 2023
Closed
Section 73
Oct. 6, 2023 -
Dec. 17, 2023
Closed
Section 74
Apr. 5, 2024 -
June 16, 2024
Closed
Section 75
Oct. 4, 2024 -
Dec. 15, 2024
Register Section 76
Sept. 1, 2023 –
Oct. 15, 2023
Closed
FT-12
Feb. 2, 2024 –
Mar. 17, 2024
Closed
FT-13
Self-Paced
Register
FT-14
Self-Paced
Upcoming Jan 6, 2025
FT-15

 

 

Jan. 27, 2023 -
Apr. 9, 2023
Closed
Section 71
July 7, 2023 -
Sept. 17, 2023
Closed
Section 72
Jan. 19, 2024 -
Mar. 31, 2024
Closed
Section 73
July 12, 2024 -
Sept. 22, 2024
Closed
Section 74
Jan 17, 2025 -
Mar. 31, 2025
Upcoming
Section 75
Oct. 20, 2023 –
Dec. 3, 2023
Closed
FT-12
Mar. 22, 2024 –
May 5, 2024
Closed
FT-13
Oct. 25, 2024 –
Dec. 8, 2024
Register FT-14
Mar. 21, 2025 –
May 4, 2025
Upcoming
FT-15

 

 

May 5, 2023 -
July 16, 2023
Closed
Section 71
Oct. 13, 2023 -
Dec. 24, 2023
Closed
Section 72
May 3, 2024 -
July 14, 2024
Closed
Section 73
Oct. 04, 2024 -
Dec. 15, 2024
Register Section 74
Apr. 18, 2025 -
June 27, 2025
Upcoming
Section 75
Dec. 8, 2023 –
Jan. 28, 2024
Closed
FT-12
May 10, 2024 –
June 23, 2024
In Progress
FT-13
Dec. 13, 2024 –
Feb. 2, 2025
Upcoming
FT-14
May 9, 2025 –
June 22, 2025
Upcoming
FT-15

 

 

Aug. 11, 2023 -
Oct. 22, 2023
Closed
Section 71
Jan. 19, 2024 -
Mar. 31, 2024
Closed
Section 72
Aug. 16, 2024 -
Oct. 27, 2024
In Progress
Section 73
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Mar. 23, 2025
Upcoming
Section 74
July 25, 2025 -
Oct. 5, 2025
Upcoming
Section 75
Feb. 2, 2024 –
Mar. 17, 2024
Closed
FT-12
July 5, 2024 –
Aug. 18, 2024
In Progress
FT-13
Feb. 7, 2025 –
Mar. 23, 2025
Upcoming
FT-14
June 27, 2025 –
Aug. 10, 2025
Upcoming
FT-15

 

 

Nov. 3, 2023 -
Jan. 21, 2024
Closed
Section 71
Apr. 26, 2024 -
July 7, 2024
Closed
Section 72
Nov. 1, 2024 -
Jan. 19, 2025
Register Section 73
Apr. 04, 2025 -
June 15, 2025
Upcoming
Section 74
Oct. 10, 2025 -
Dec. 21, 2025
Upcoming
Section 75
Mar. 22, 2024 –
May 5, 2024
Closed
FT-12
Aug. 23, 2024 –
Oct. 6, 2024
In Progress
FT-13
Mar. 28, 2025 –
May 11, 2025
Upcoming
FT-14
Aug. 15, 2025 –
Sept. 28, 2025
Upcoming
FT-15

 

 

Feb. 9, 2024 -
Apr. 21, 2024
Closed
Section 71
July 12, 2024 -
Sept. 22, 2024
Closed
Section 72
Feb. 7, 2025 -
Apr. 20, 2025
Upcoming
Section 73
July 07, 2025 -
Sept. 21, 2025
Upcoming
Section 74
Jan. 16, 2026 -
Mar. 29, 2026
Upcoming
Section 75
May 10, 2024 –
June 23, 2024
In Progress
FT-12
Oct. 11, 2024 –
Nov. 24, 2024
Register FT-13
May 16, 2025 –
June 29, 2025
Upcoming
FT-14
Oct. 3, 2025 –
Nov. 16, 2025
Upcoming
FT-15

 

 

May 3, 2024 -
Aug. 1, 2024
Closed
Section 33
Oct. 4, 2024 -
Jan. 2, 2025
Register Section 34
May 2, 2025 -
July 31, 2025
Upcoming
Section 35
Oct. 03, 2025 -
Jan. 1, 2026
Upcoming
Section 36
Apr. 18, 2026 -
July 18, 2026
Upcoming
Section 37
June 28, 2024 –
Aug. 22, 2024
 
In Progress
FT-12
Nov. 29, 2024 –
Jan. 23, 2025
Upcoming
FT-13
July 11, 2025 –
Sept. 4, 2025
Upcoming
FT-14
Nov. 11, 2025 –
Jan. 16, 2026
Upcoming
FT-15

 

 

October 2024
February 2025
October 2025
February 2026
October 2026
October 2024
February 2025
October 2025
February 2026

 

 

November 2024
March 2025
November 2025
March 2026
November 2026
November 2024
March 2025
November 2025
March 2026
 
TRADITIONAL
TRACK
TRADITIONAL
TRACK
TRADITIONAL
TRACK
TRADITIONAL
TRACK
TRADITIONAL
TRACK

NOTICE: Access to the course is NOT Immediate. An account will be manually created for you once your payment has been submitted AND processed which can take 1-2 business days. Regular business hours are M-F 8am – 5pm. Course access information will be emailed to you.

Learn More About Each Course

Introduction to Financial Planning

ONLINE COURSE

Gain a solid foundation in financial planning principles, including goal setting, budgeting, and the fundamentals of personal finance management.

Insurance Planning

ONLINE COURSE

Explore strategies for managing risk and protecting assets through comprehensive insurance planning.

Investment Planning

ONLINE COURSE

Learn to optimize your investment portfolio and build wealth through strategic asset allocation and financial analysis.

Income Tax Planning

ONLINE COURSE

Master techniques for minimizing tax liabilities and maximizing deductions to enhance your financial efficiency.

Retirement Planning

ONLINE COURSE

Develop a personalized strategy to secure your financial future and ensure a comfortable and sustainable retirement.

Estate Planning

ONLINE COURSE

Create a plan to manage and distribute your assets, ensuring your legacy is preserved and your wishes are honored.

Capstone Course

ONLINE COURSE

Integrate and apply your knowledge from all previous courses to solve financial planning scenarios and deliver client solutions.

Program Information

To obtain Discount Codes, please reach out to Anthony McDonald using the contact form at the bottom of this webpage. Discount codes MUST be entered and applied in the Promo Code box during the registration process and cannot be applied after the registration is submitted. Before submitting your registration, please verify that your total amount due reflects your discount.

We currently offer discounts to the following populations:

  • All active/inactive U.S. Military – 10%. Must supply:
    • Send an email from your .mil account, OR
    • Scan and email your military orders, OR
    • Scan and email you military ID
  • FSU Alumni – 10%. Must supply:
    • Full name as it was when you attended FSU, and
    • Date of Birth, and
    • Graduation Year
  • Corporate Group Discount (Executive Fast Track only)
    • Reach out to Anthony McDonald using the contact form at the bottom of this webpage.

*Discounts are not cumulative. Only one discount can be used per student.

The mission of the Florida State University Certificate in Financial Planning Program is to offer high quality, interactive and affordable online financial planning courses for those pursuing CFP® certification, as well as those seeking to better educate themselves in financial planning topics.

Learn more about our Advisory Group.



Learn more about our Faculty.



Learn more about our Ranking.



Florida State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Florida State University’s Certificate in Financial Planning Program is a registered program provider of the Certified Financial Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board). Please see our press release for more details.

Additional information and requirements for attaining the CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification are listed in our Frequently Asked Questions. Other more specific questions should be directed to the CFP Board at:

Phone: (800) 487-1497
Email: mail@CFPBoard.org
Links: CFP Board’s Guide to CFP® Certification, CFP Board

Evaluations

Cumulative evaluation reports for the FSU Certified Financial Planning Online Program (CFP) were compiled, analyzed, and reviewed by CAPD Professional Program Administrators. The overall averages of the instructors and courses were compiled and rated based on a Likert scale of 1 to 5.

  • Instructors: 89% of all instructors were rated good (4) to excellent (5) with 98% of instructors rating average (3) or better.
  • Overall program: 86% of all courses were rated good (4) to excellent (5) with 98% rating average (3) or better.

Comments

“What I like most about the curriculum is the combination of doing lectures/ chapters at my own pace –reading, quizzes etc., — and FIXED dates for tests, so that I have some sort of deadline. Good combination for a busy work schedule.”

“The learning experience is fantastic, the course materials would open you up to a world of knowledge from different stand points and then allow you to tailor the pieces to suit your needs in becoming a better Manager. With FSU, you’re sure to be always learning!”

“I continuously recommend FSU’s CFP program to others. I have been very pleased with the home-grown feel, the passionate instruction, the flexibility of the program (pay as you go, longer test windows, etc.,) and the excellent customer service provided by Anthony and E’lexis. Additionally, I sincerely appreciate the military discount you provide. Thank you!”

“The instructor was excellent. It was a great benefit to the course to have an instructor that has a lot of “real-world” experience. The text books are good but nothing trumps practical experience and showing how these concepts are actually applied.”

“The instructor did an outstanding job, was well organized, and kept the course format at a perfect pace with emails, discussion board topics, and the presentation of weekly course material.”

“The instructor was very articulate and understanding. He ensured he carried all students along and gave room for participation, most especially in his response to questions raised.”

“The instructor is well informed, accurate and a good communicator. Despite the fact that the course is an Online course his Style of teaching makes you feel you are there in the classroom with him.”

“The instructor is a really great guy. I appreciate his high degree of professionalism, caring, and intelligence. You guys have an amazing program and I will continue to refer all my friends and colleagues!”

“I particularly find the instructor’s method in making us use our own current situations very helpful and practical. For example, he shared and discussed current examples of types of insurance, what is covered, etc., with other classmates. This made the course very practical.”

“The course was very insightful providing me lots more knowledge about the tax system than I had prior to the course. The average individual really does not have enough information about the “code” and the potential impact on their financial life.”

1. About Our Certificate Program

2. Course Format

3. CFP® Certification

4. CFP® Certification Examination

5. Education Requirements

6. Exemption

7. Grading

8. Scheduling Courses

9. Why a Career in Financial Planning?

10. Withdrawal Policy

11. Does FSU offer a CFP Board Exam review course?

12. Job Opportunities

13. Additional Information

Why Choose Florida State University?

CFP Certification

The curriculum meets the educational requirements of the CFP Board to qualify to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination

Expert Instructors

Expertise in diverse fields with recognized credentials including CFP®, CPA, and J.D.

Established Curriculum

Comprehensive curriculum designed by FSU provides an in-depth understanding of the financial planning process using real-world examples and case studies.

Online Course

Our program is fully online and is text-based (there are no video or audio lectures). Please see FAQs for more information on course format.

Traditional or Fast Track

Whether preferring our Traditional Track or a faster pace with our Executive Fast-Track, students have the choice to learn at their own pace and the flexibility to jump on and off these tracks as they see fit.

Get In Touch or Create an Account

Ready to Get Started?

Let us guide you to achieving your career goals and beyond!