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Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help address some of the most common concerns students have about Certificate in Financial Planning. If you need more clarification or have questions that we haven't covered, please do not hesitate to contact the Program Administrator!

1. Will this program qualify me to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination?

   Yes. Upon successful completion of this program, students will meet the education requirements established by CFP Board and will be eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
   
   
2. What is the time commitment required for study outside of the classroom?
   Depending on the student's previous experience and education, a student can expect to spend 2 hours outside of the classroom, for every hour in the classroom.
   
   
3. How long is the program and how much does it cost?

   This is a 12 month program consisting of six courses: Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance Planning, Investment Planning, Income Taxation and Tax Planning, Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning, Estate Tax Planning and Cases in Financial Planning. Tuition for the program is $4,200. Refunds will not be given for partial completion of the program. Tuition does not include books and materials.
   
   
4. Why choose Christian Brothers University's Certificate in Financial Planning program over another program?
   
Quality instruction is a must for any outstanding educational program. All faculty members have advanced degrees and certifications and are experienced professionals in their respective fields. Although this program is registered with CBU, we have partnered with Kaplan Financial®. Kaplan Financial® is the leading provider of review materials and courses for the CFP® Certification. Because of CBU's commitment to academic quality and a focus on achievement, students entering this program can be assured of the best education available.
   
   
5. I have already completed classes in a self-study program: can I transfer credit to your program?
   
Christian Brothers University will allow students to transfer up to two classes from another CFP Board-Registered Program. In addition, CBU will offer a tuition reduction for each class that is exempted. If you are granted an exemption from a class, we still encourage you to sit through the class and complete the class assignments. We want to insure you receive the best possible education and preparation for becoming a financial planner.
   
   
6. What is the process of attaining the CFP® certification?
   
In order to attain the CFP® certification, there are the four Es: Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics.
   
   Education

   The Education requirement can be fulfilled by successfully completing CBU's Certificate in Financial Planning program. Certain professionals such as a Ph.D., D.B.A., JD, CFA, CPA, ChFC or CLU may challenge the exam.
   
   Examination

   The CFP® Certification Examination is given three times per year in March, July and November. The national pass rate on the examination is approximately 50%. Based on a 1999 Job Topic Study, CFP Board issues a topic list covering 101 areas a candidate should be prepared to answer at the evaluation level or lower.
   
   Experience

   Please refer to www.cfp.net for the current experience requirements. Requirements are set by the board itself and as of August 2011 the CFP site indicated: "Your work experience must comply with the following standards: Three years full-time, or the equivalent part-time (2,000 hours equals one year full-time). Six months of experience must have been gained within 12 months of reporting your work experience. Experience may be gained up to 10 years before or up to five years after the exam date. The bachelor's degree and experience requirements must be fulfilled within five years of passing the CFP® Certification Examination. If these requirements are not completed within this time frame, your candidacy for CFP® Certification may be terminated. A one-time, three-year extension may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Requests for an extension should be sent to CFP Board by e-mail to audit@CFPBoard.org or by fax to 202-379-2299." Again, always check the www.cfp.net Web site for current standards.
   
   Ethics
   
CFP® certificants are required to abide by CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards. In addition, CFP® certificants are required to disclose to CFP Board if involved in a criminal or civil proceeding.
   
   
7. What type of material can I read/review/ study to get ahead prior to classes beginning?
   
Use caution when purchasing materials early due to ongoing Tax Law changes, for example, and you don’t want to use outdated material for your program.
   
   
8. What is the age range of your student body in this program?

   The age range truly varies. It varies based on many factors – whether or not someone is a career changer, in school for Finance, looking to enter the field, etc.
   
   
9. Does your program have an internship and/or job placement service?
   The CBU Career Center works with our CFP Program students to obtain career-related opportunities (full-time, part-time, internships, etc.). Visit the NACE-Link site and register today! If you have any questions about any Career Center resources, programs or services, please call Curt Rogers at (901) 321-3330 or direct email to crogers@cbu.edu.
   
   
10. If I have a graduate degree can I just send you that transcript instead of the undergraduate transcript?

    No, the CFP Board requires an undergraduate degree so we really need your undergraduate transcript. In the event of an unusual situation whereby a student has attained a graduate degree without completing the undergraduate program, such as holding a D.D.S. with relaxed undergraduate education hour requirements, the student would be able to complete our CFP Program and take the exam but would not be able to use the designation until the undergraduate degree was completed. If you have questions about this or want to challenge the requirement you will need to contact the CFP Board directly.

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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP (with flame logo)®, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.



Christian Brothers University does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP (with flame logo)® certification marks. CFP certification is granted only by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience and examination requirements.

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