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More than 50 years ago, the College for Financial Planning introduced the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification,* which is now one of the world’s most recognized and respected financial planning credentials. Years later, as an early adopter of online education, the College combined cutting-edge, flexible learning with our rich history in financial education to meet the needs of today’s financial services professionals. From graduate programs and professional certifications to CFP® exam prep and education, our dedication to excellence, innovation, and student-centric learning underscores everything we do. In July 2018, Kaplan acquired the College for Financial Planning®, bringing together two respected leaders in financial services education. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company remains an independent institution owned by Kaplan.
Our fact book contains important and frequently requested information about the College’s programs, students, faculty, staff, and operations.
The Department of Financial Literacy emphasizes early career programs that introduce students to the basics of financial planning and open up doors to the next stage in their financial services education. Programs include the Financial Paraplanning Qualified Practitioner (FPQP®), Accredited Account Management Specialist (AAMS®), and Wealth Management Specialist (WMSSM). Additionally, the department is building foundational precollege education in financial literacy.
The Department of Financial Planning Education maintains our graduate-level CFP Board certified and accredited financial planning education program, preparing students with the knowledge needed to navigate complicated insurance, investments, tax, retirement, and estate planning, in addition to qualifying them to sit for the CFP Board Exam. Our Exam Prep Review test prep courses prepare students to sit for the CFP Board Exam. The Financial Planning Education Department also oversees the development of the core courses in the Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning degree program.
The Department of Advisor Development prepares students to provide the highest-quality financial planning services to clients through the mastery of client communication skills and drivers of financial decision making, via our CFP Board Certified Education Program capstone, Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional (ABFP®) program, Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA®), and client psychology and capstone courses in our Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning degree program. Additionally, the Department provides thought leadership programming on behavioral finance, real estate, and divorce, and develops innovative courses designed to keep advisors up-to-date on financial planning topics.
The Department of Advanced Programs and Designations oversees programs that provide students already in the financial services industry with deeper knowledge and greater expertise. These include the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA®), Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) programs. Additionally, the Department maintains courses in tax and estate planning for the Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning program and provides continuing education webinars and timely thought leadership programming on current tax and estate planning issues.
The Department of Financial Analysis and Investment Management cultivates advanced career programs and courses including the Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA®), Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC®), and Master of Science in Financial Analysis. The department also ensures graduate courses related to finance, investments, and portfolio management in our Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning degree program are of the highest caliber.
*In 1969, the International Association for Financial Planners (IAFP) and the College for Financial Planning were created to help meet the financial needs of Americans.
In 1985, the College entered an agreement to establish an independent, nonprofit certifying and standards-setting organization. Ownership of the CFP® marks and responsibility for continuing the CFP® certification program was transferred to the new organization, International Board of Standards and Practices for Certified Financial Planners, Inc. (IBCFP), now known as CFP Board. For more information, please visit https://www.cfp.net/about-cfp-board/history.
