Frequently Asked Questions
How can I learn the benefits of the career in financial planning?
To learn about the many benefits of a career as a financial planner, including the ability to make a difference in peoples' lives, a desirable work-life balance, and the opportunity for career and financial growth, visit the I Am a CFP Pro website .
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How do I register for the Professional Certificate in Personal Financial Planning Program?
Any CSUF undergraduate business major who has declared a concentration is eligible to participate in our Professional Certificate in Personal Financial Planning Program. To do so, complete the following four steps, also outlined in this document, PFPCP Academic Requirements (pdf) in sequential order:
- Create an online account (for free) with CFP Board and print a proof of account creation.
- Sign off on the "Sign-Off Sheet (pdf)"
- Add the Professional Certificate in Personal Financial Planning to your course of study by completing the Request for Minor/Certificate Objective Form
- Send all required materials to [email protected]
What educational level is your curriculum?
Our Professional Certificate in Personal Financial Planning Program is housed within the College’s B.A. in Business Administration Program.
How long does it take to complete your curriculum?
Our Personal Financial Planning Program can be completed in as little as one year.
How do you schedule your courses? How often are courses offered?
Most of our courses have at least one session each semester and in the summer.
What if I register for the Professional Certificate in Personal Financial Planning Program but don't successfully complete all of the courses in the Professional Certificate in Personal Financial Planning Program prior to my intended date of graduation?
You have two options:
1. Update your graduation term so you may complete the certificate courses as an undergraduate student.
a. Obtain and complete the Graduation Status Change Form from the Registration and Records Office (LH-114).
b. Pay Student Financial Services (UH-180) a $10 fee for changing the graduation term.
c. Submit the Graduation Status Change Form to the Registration and Records Office (LH-114).
2. Drop the certificate, receive your bachelor's degree, and complete the certificate courses as a Post Baccalaureate student.
a. Obtain and complete the Minor/Certificate form from the Registration and Records Office (LH-114).
b. Pay Student Financial Services (UH-180) a $10 fee for dropping the certificate.
c. Submit the Minor/Certificate form to the Registration and Records Office (LH-114).
d. Request Records Office (LH-114) to allow you to complete the certificate courses as a Post Baccalaureate student.
e. You will pay post baccalaureate fees to complete the certificate courses (Check with Student Financial Services Office).
What are the credentials of your faculty?
Faculty teaching in the personal financial planning program have Ph.D.s from leading research universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, and Texas Tech University.
Does your program have internships or job placement services?
Students in the program may join the program’s “Personal Financial Planning Job Opportunities Email List” to learn about internship and job opportunities. They are also welcome to meet with the program director, Marcia Lucas, for internship and career guidance during his office hours or by appointment.
Overall, how will your program prepare me to be a financial planner?
The faculty teaching in the Professional Certificate in Personal Financial Planning Program develop their courses based on the actual practice of financial planning. Personal financial planning thought leaders frequently serve as guest lecturers in the program and students in the program often have the opportunity to attend financial planning conferences. Through this approach, students learn “how to think” as financial planners so that they can “hit the ground running” upon graduation. Students frequently inquire about our graduates’ performance on the CFP® Certification Examination. Most of our graduates who sit for the CFP® exam pass the exam upon first attempt. Additional information on our graduates’ performance on the CFP® exam is provided in the July 2019 CFP® Certification Examination Statistics Report.
- Personal Financial Planning Program students at the 2018 College of Business and Economics Commencement Ceremony.