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.

Recommended study time: Allow at least 10 hours per week for adequate course preparation.
Financial planning professionals reviewing charts and financial information

Traditional Schedule

April & October

Fast Track

Self-Paced

View Calendar to Enroll

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.

View the textbook at Money Education

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

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.

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