Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

The W. A. Franke College of Business

Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting

Financial Planning, Undergraduate Certificate


Academic Information

This certificate is available to individuals who have interest in a financial planning career.  Financial Planners have the opportunity for rewarding careers, both personally and financially. The courses in this program will give students a comprehensive understanding of the financial planning process which include topics such as taxes, estate, investment and retirement planning and ethical procedures.

This program is registered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

The W. A. Franke College of Business

Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting

Financial Planning, Undergraduate Certificate


Careers

What Can I Do with a Certificate in Financial Planning?

Financial Planners help individuals plan their financial futures. A Financial Planner understands investments, taxes, estate planning issues and possesses excellent listening skills.  Most Financial Planners work for themselves or work within small practices. This work pays well and is rewarding if you like to help people, set goals, develop and implement plans and celebrate the success of a goal met.

It is important to obtain the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation if pursuing a career as a Financial Planner. The Financial Planning Certificate would provide the courses required to meet the CFP Board educational requirements, which allows students to take the rigorous CFP exam upon completion.
 

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Registered Investment Advisory firms
  • Banks
  • Insurance industry
  • Self-employed Certified Financial Planner

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Financial Planner
  • Wealth Manager
  • Investment Advisor
  • Budget Analyst

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

The W. A. Franke College of Business

Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting

Financial Planning, Undergraduate Certificate


University Requirements

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

The W. A. Franke College of Business

Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting

Financial Planning, Undergraduate Certificate


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 21
Major GPA 2.0
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 121
Licensure

This program may lead to licensure.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Financial Planning Certificate is to provide educational curriculum to students that will satisfy the Certified Financial Planning (CFP) Board’s requirements. Typically, the CFP designation requires students to take additional courses beyond their bachelor’s programs. However, with the Financial Planning Certificate, students will be able to complete all educational requirements in a typical four-year time period. Eventually, students earning a Certificate in Financial Planning will be eligible to sit for the CFP Board exam, which is a required component to earn the CFP designation. 

In order to be approved as a CFP Board Registered Program, we have developed the NAU Financial Planning Program. The CFP Board requires that their 72 Learning Objectives (LO) be included in the program courses. The 7 total courses cover the 72 LO required by the CFP Board. By the end of the program, students will have knowledge of topics including investment planning, tax planning, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance and risk management, ethics, and financial plan development. While the Certificate in Financial Planning is included in the NAU Financial Planning Program, students can earn the Certificate separate from this program and are not required to meet the CFP Board education requirements. Through the Financial Planning Certificate, students will learn topics and skills that will help them succeed as a CFP professional. Additionally, students will learn how to write a comprehensive financial plan as it pertains to real-world clients and situations

Students will have countless career opportunities available to them post-graduation. With the CFP designation, students can choose to work for a firm or as individual business owner. In addition, there are several other opportunities that exist with the CFP designation including positions within financial institutions such as banks, investment firms, and the insurance industry.

Student Learning Outcomes

The relevant and innovative NAU Financial Planning Program curriculum includes the following student learning outcomes:

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

The W. A. Franke College of Business

Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting

Financial Planning, Undergraduate Certificate


Details

Certificate Requirements
Additional Information
More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

The W. A. Franke College of Business

Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting

Financial Planning, Undergraduate Certificate


Campus Availability

More Information