- Standard Path: Complete all seven required courses to fulfill the coursework requirement for CFP® certification.
- Accelerated Path: If you hold a qualifying credential (CPA, licensed attorney, CFA®, ChFC®, CLU®, DBA, Ph.D. in a related field, or CFP® certification from an FPSB affiliate outside the U.S.), you may take the accelerated path and only complete the capstone course (Finance 859).
CFP® Certification Online Education Program
Job Outlook | Program Objectives | Coursework | FAQ | Instructor | Register Today!
Define Success with CFP® Certification
Unlock a prosperous future with Chico State's CFP® Certification Online Education Program. Designed for aspiring and current financial planners, this comprehensive program provides the quality, value, and outcomes you need to excel in the financial planning industry. Gain the skills and expertise necessary to secure a job, grow professionally, and explore new career paths. This fully online program is delivered in partnership with Chico State's College of Business and prepares students for the CFP® Certification Examination.
Why Become a Financial Planner?
The demand for financial planners in the Sacramento and Butte County areas is growing rapidly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
- Job Growth: Employment of personal financial advisors is projected to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The financial planning profession is expanding, with approximately 25,600 job openings expected annually due to growth and replacement needs (BLS.gov) (BLS.gov) (Data USA).
- Median Pay: The median annual wage for personal financial advisors was $99,580 in May 2023 (BLS.gov). Financial planners in the Sacramento area often earn higher than the national average due to the region's economic conditions.
- Regional Opportunities: In the Sacramento metropolitan area and Butte County, the job market for financial planners is particularly robust, driven by an aging population and a growing emphasis on financial literacy and planning, reflecting higher than average growth and competitive wages (BLS.gov) (eMoney Advisor).
Sources
Program Objectives
Upon completing Chico State's CFP® Certification Online Education Program, you will:
Master Core Financial Principles: Develop a comprehensive understanding of essential financial planning principles and best practices.
Specialize in Key Areas: Gain expertise in critical areas such as investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance planning, and tax planning.
Create Comprehensive Plans: Acquire the skills to develop and implement thorough financial plans for individuals and businesses, tailored to meet their unique needs and goals.
Achieve Excellence: Be fully prepared to pass the CFP® Certification Examination and earn the prestigious title of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, demonstrating your commitment to excellence and ethical standards in the financial planning profession.
Coursework
The program includes the following courses, each tailored to meet the educational requirements of a CFP Board Registered Program, and the standards of Chico State’s prestigious College of Business.
Courses are open enrollment/on demand, so you can get started as soon as you're ready. You can take any number of our courses in any order. Each course module averages six hours of study and work for an average student, and courses should be completed within 6 months from enrollment.
Each course will have two categories of assignments: quizzes and a final exam. The quizzes require 80% score or higher to continue in the course. To receive credit for this course, you must earn 80% or higher on the final exam as well. All quizzes and the final exam allow for multiple attempts.
Each course is offered as a Credit/No Credit course. This means that you will not receive a letter grade, and instead will receive credit for completing the course or no credit if you do not complete the course.
There are two pathways to fulfill the coursework requirement for CFP® certification:
FINANCE 850: Introduction to Financial Planning
This course is designed to give students an overview of the financial planning profession, including financial planning regulations and practice standards.
FINANCE 851: Investment Planning
This course is designed to give students an overview of modern portfolio theory and investment analysis.
FINANCE 852: Applications of Retirement Planning
This course is designed to give students an overview of retirement plans and employee benefits as they apply to financial planning practice.
FINANCE 853: Applications of Estate Planning
This course is designed to give students an overview of estate planning applications for financial planners. This course approaches estate planning from the perspective of a CFP® Professional.
FINANCE 856: Applications of Insurance Planning
This course is designed to give students an overview of insurance planning for CFP® Professionals.
FINANCE 857: Applications of Tax Planning
This course is designed to give students an overview of federal income tax planning applications for individuals and businesses.
FINANCE 859: Financial Planning Capstone Course
This course is the capstone course for the CFP Board Education Program. Students in this course will have access to an education license for eMoney Advisor, which they can use to complete the final project—a financial plan and presentation via a video recording.
CFP Board Registered Program
Chico State is proud to be the only institution in the western United States offering a fully online, CFP Board Registered Program. Our program is designed to meet the rigorous standards set by the CFP Board, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that covers the 70 Principal Knowledge Topics required for CFP® Certification.
For 50 years, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification has been the standard of excellence for financial planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first. The CFP® website allows you to register for an account at www.cfp.net. We highly encourage you to create an account to track your progress toward completing the CFP® Certification.
Note: These courses do not count towards the Chico State Certificate in Financial Planning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do courses in the CFP® program lead to a degree?
No, CFP® online courses do not lead to a degree. This is an online, certification education program consisting of 7 courses which cover all of the CFP® Exam topic areas.
Can I enroll in multiple courses at a time and if so, is that advisable?
Yes, you can complete more than one class at a time. If you’re also working full time, then we recommend 2 classes at a time at most. Since the courses have rolling starts, after finishing one course, you don’t have to wait a full semester before starting another one.
In order to enroll in the courses, do I also need to apply to Chico State?
You do not need to be admitted as a student to Chico State. The Online CFP® Program is for those who already have a bachelor’s degree and just need to complete a CFP Board Registered education program to register for the exam. You will enroll in CFP® coursework as a non-admitted student.
Are there any additional fees beyond what is listed on the website of $645 per course and $795 for the capstone?
You don’t HAVE to buy anything else, but we recommend a financial calculator and the textbooks to follow along and learn the material.
Can I use Financial Aid (FAFSA) to cover expenses for this program?
No, financial aid and financial aid programs such as the Pell Grant and Stafford Loan can only be used for degree completion programs. Certificate programs are not eligible for these types of funding.
Is the $195 CFP® Board fee included in the course fees?
Chico State will cover this cost for students who complete our entire CFP® Certification Education Program.
For Accelerated Pathway Students: If you're eligible for the accelerated pathway, you’ll only take our capstone course. Then you’ll submit your proof of being eligible for the accelerated pathway (ex: acceptable degree or credential) and your capstone transcript directly to the CFP® Board. In this case, the $195 fee does not apply, and you are responsible for submitting your own materials.
For Students Mixing Courses from Multiple Schools: If you’ve taken courses at multiple institutions, you’ll need to submit transcripts to the CFP® Board yourself and pay a transcript review fee. Chico State can only verify students who completed all courses with us.
Instructor
Jaycob Arbogast, CFP®
Chico State College of Business Lecturer
Director of Chico State's Center for Excellence in Finance
Phone: 530-898-5920 | Email: jarbogast2@csuchico.edu
Registration
Set yourself up for success and take the next step toward becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with Chico State’s CFP® Certification Online Education Program.
If you would like to learn more about the program and/or receive information regarding registration, please complete the interest form on this page, and we will be in touch.
* Fees subject to change.