Online Course
Introduction to Financial Planning
Overview
Introduction to Financial Planning provides an overview of the field of financial planning and the planning process, including ethical considerations and related issues.
Topics include personal financial statements, budgeting, emergency fund planning, credit and debt management, buying versus leasing, regulation of financial institutions, educational funding, planning for special circumstances such as divorce or disability, economic concepts, and monetary policy.
The course also addresses time value of money calculations, characteristics of business entities, consequences of property titling, business law, probability analysis, and monetary settlement planning.
Covers the CFP Board’s Principal Knowledge Topics A.1–7, B.8–16 and C.17–21.
Traditional Schedule
April & October
Fast Track
Self-Paced
Prerequisites
Academic Preparation
There are no special degree requirements to participate in the FSU Certificate in Financial Planning program, although instruction is presented at the level of an upper-division college course.
A bachelor’s degree is a condition of CFP® certification, but it is not required in order to sit for the Certification Examination.
Computer Skills
Students should have basic computer literacy, including the ability to:
- Connect to the internet and navigate the web.
- Use email and online discussion tools.
- Send and receive email attachments.
- Save, open, and manage files using common software.
Online Fast Track Program
Year-Round: January–December
Accelerate your journey through financial planning with a condensed program designed to cover key concepts and practical skills while preserving the depth and quality of the traditional curriculum.
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Fundamentals of Financial Planning — 8th Edition
Authors: Michael A. Dalton and James F. Dalton
© 2025
ISBN: 978-1-957511-54-2
Publisher: Money Education
FSU students receive a 20% publisher discount. The discount code is sent with the Registration Confirmation email after registration.
Optional Textbook
Financial Calculator Essentials
Author: Joseph M. Gillice, CPA, CFP®
ISBN-10: 0-9820884
ISBN-13: 978-0-9820884-1-8
Publisher: Dalton Education
This resource covers use of the:
- Hewlett Packard 12C
- Texas Instruments BA-II-Plus
- Hewlett Packard 17BII Plus
- Hewlett Packard 10B II
E-book | Print textbook | CFP® Examination Calculator Policy
Instructor
Donna Jordan, AIF®, CLU®, RHU®
Financial Planner Practitioner and Investment Advisor
Donna Jordan holds a Master’s degree and professional designations including Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, Chartered Life Underwriter®, and Registered Health Underwriter®. She has more than 30 years of experience across banking, mortgage banking, insurance, investments, and employee benefits.
She is also a state-designated continuing-education instructor for life and health insurance professionals in Florida and has taught consumer education courses in financial planning. At FSU, she has taught Introduction to Financial Planning and Retirement Planning and has served as a guest lecturer for the Life and Health portions of Insurance Planning.
Ready to Get Started?
Let us guide you toward your financial planning education and career goals.