Academic Program

Title

Graduate Certificate

Headline

Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning

Degree Type

Graduate Certificates

Location/Availability/Method

On Campus

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Areas of Interest

Business

Intro Text

Energize your career in finance and set yourself apart with a graduate certificate in Personal Financial Planning from Creighton University's Heider College of Business.

Description

This program is best suited for finance professionals looking to energize their careers and better serve their clients by earning their CFP® certification. Your courses will prepare you to sit for the exam by teaching you to analyze personal financial situations and evaluate client objectives, needs and values to develop a comprehensive financial plan.

“Part of the culture in the Heider College of Business is that everybody who teaches here has work experience—it's not just all about academics. There are a lot of great scholars here who also can apply real-world experience to their programs.”

—Trent Wachner, PhD | Associate Professor, Heider College of Business

Gain the education you need to sit for the CFP® Exam

The Personal Financial Planning Certificate curriculum consists of six courses designed to increase students’ financial planning knowledge. Courses provide a focused and in-depth curriculum that covers the 72 Topic Areas of Learning specified by the CFP® Board of Standards.

The CFP® certification is recognized as the highest professional certification for financial planners. Earning your CFP® certification shows your clients and your employer that you are serious about financial planning. Certified financial planners are uniquely qualified to understand their clients’ financial situations and develop recommendations to help set and achieve their financial goals.

The Personal Financial Planning certificate has been approved by the CFP® Board of Standards as satisfying the academic requirements needed to sit for the CFP® exam.

A wise investment in your future

We know that graduate school can be a serious investment of your time and money, so we make sure that your investment is a smart one—and one that you can fit in your busy schedule. You’ll only need to complete 18 credits, so you can earn your certificate in financial planning and prepare for the CFP® exam in about a year.

Plus, you’re well on your way to earning a master’s degree if you choose to further advance your education. The credits you earn in the personal financial planning certificate program can be applied toward a full Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning.

Admissions Representative

Enrollment Specialist

Featured Information

Statistic Highlight

Statblock - 12% projected job growth for personal financial advisors over the next decade Source: Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) – August 2017

Statistic Highlight Image

12% projected job growth for personal financial advisors over the next decade Source: Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) – August 2017

Details

PROGRAM DETAILS

Program Goals and Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning is ideal for financial professionals who are looking to advance their financial planning skills and are planning to earn their CFP® certification.

To earn this certificate, you must complete 18 credits:

Insurance Risk Management
Tax Theory and Business Decisions
Estate Planning and Taxation
Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
Investment Value and Theory
Cases in Financial Planning—Capstone

Our respected faculty at Creighton strives to help students in the personal financial planning graduate certificate program strengthen their skills, expand their knowledge and work to achieve their goals.

Meet the program faculty

Specific Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Financial Psychology and Behavioral Finance program, applicants must:

Complete an application
Include an updated curriculum vitae or resume
Provide an official transcript from the institution that granted the Bachelor’s degree. Read more about sending transcripts here
Submit a personal statement of interest in the graduate certificate
Include coursework in accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and corporate finance

A personal interview may be requested in addition to the above requirements. The interview may be conducted in-person or virtually.

International students are welcomed into this program so long as they complete it from their country of residence, as F-1 visas will not be issued.

International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition rates change in the fall of each year. Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more details.

Financial Aid
To help make your graduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available graduate student scholarships and fellowships.

Learn more about funding your education

Still have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731 for any additional questions you may have.

MASTER’S AND DUAL-DEGREE OPTIONS

Credits earned for this graduate certificate can be applied toward a full Master of Business Administration, which can be combined with a variety of other masters as a dual degree.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) (33 credits)

Gain a general management education that focuses on developing values-based leadership skills. Your certificate will provide an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning.
Available in on-campus, online, or hybrid formats.

See the full course listing

Dual Degrees: