Online Financial Planning Program | Chico State Professional & Continuing Education

Jaycob Arbogast, CFP with student

Job Outlook | Program Objectives | Courses | Instructor | Enroll

Train to Be a Financial Planner

Unlock a prosperous future with Chico State's Online Financial Planning 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.

Job Outlook

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 the Online Financial Planning 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 Success: 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.

Courses

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. 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.

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.

Modules: Financial Planning Process; Client & Planner Attitudes, Values, Biases, Behavioral Finance; Sources of Money Conflict, Counseling, Communication, & Severe Consequences; Financial Statements, Financing Strategies, Debt Management, Cash Flow; Time Value of Money & Basic Economics; Education Savings Plans, Gift Tax; Financial Services Regulations; Consumer Protection Laws; Fiduciary Standard; CFP Board’s Code of Ethics & Standards of Conduct; CFP Board’s Procedural Rules; Purpose Function & General Structure of Financial Institutions; Special Needs Planning; Application to Real World Problems; Case Studies

Course Fee: $645
Format: Online Asynchronous (self-paced)

FINANCE 851: Investment Planning

This course is designed to give students an overview of modern portfolio theory and investment analysis.

Modules: Introduction, Market Structure, Asset Classes, Securities Law; Types of Investment Rish & Return; Portfolio Theory (CAPM, APT, Diversification); Investment Strategies, Attribution, Factors; Market Efficiency & Behavior; Ficed Income Securities & Analysis; Equity Securities & Analysis; Bond & Stock Valuation Concepts; Characteristics, Uses & Taxation of Investment Vehicles; Derivatives; Alternatives; Taxation of Securities, IPS; Application to Real World Problems; Case Studies