Job Outlook | Program Objectives | Coursework | FAQ | Instructor | Enroll

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.

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

• O*NET Online – Personal Financial Advisors
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Personal Financial Advisors
• Data USA – Personal Financial Advisors
• eMoney Advisor – Financial Planner Job Growth

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.

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

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 

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

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. 

Modules: Introduction, Accumulation, Distribution; Overview of Qualified Plans;Qualified Pension Plans; Profit Sharing Plans; Stock Bonus Plans, ESOPs; Distributions from Qualified Plans; IRAs & SEPs; SIMPLE, 403(b), & 457; Social Security, Medicare, & Medicaid; Deferred Compensation & Non-Qualified Plans; Fringe Benefits; Group Benefits, Succession Planning; Application to Real World Problems; Case Studies

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

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.

Modules: Introduction & Basic Documents; Property Interests; Probate; Gift Taxes; Estate Tax; Lifetime Transfers; Trusts Overview; Specific Trusts; Charitable Gifts; Marital Deduction; Uses of Life Insurance in Estate Planning; GST; Application to  Real World Problems; Case Studies 

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

FINANCE 856: Applications of Insurance Planning

This course is designed to give students an overview of insurance planning for CFP^® Professionals. 

Modules: Principles of Risk & Insurance; Analysis of Risk Exposure; Health Insurance; Life Insurance Overview; Advanced Topics in Life Insurance (Taxation); Advanced Topics in Life Insurance (Business Uses); Disability Insurance; Long Term Care; Annuities; Taxation of Annuities; P&C and Liability; Credit & Identity Theft Protection; Social Security; Application to Real World Problems; Case Studies 

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

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.

Modules: Introduction to Tax Law; Fundamentals of Income Taxation; Gross Income (Investments); Gross Income (Employment); Deductions; Below the Line; Other Deductions; Credits; Basis, Assets, & Depreciation; Capital Assets; Business Assets & Exchanges; Passive Activities, AMT; Business Entity Selection; Application to Real World Problems; Case Studies

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

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. 

Modules: Developing a Financial Plan (Steps 1–4); Case Review—Identification of Important Areas; CFP Board 7-Step Process; Documentation for Professionals; Regulatory Compliance for Financial Professionals; Developing Budget Recommendations; Developing Investment Recommendations; Developing Retirement Planning Recommendations; Developing Estate Planning Recommendations; Application to Real World Problems; Case Studies 

Course Fee: $795* 
Format: Online Asynchronous (self-paced) 

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?

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.

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.

Courses and registration open January 21, 2025. 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.