CFP® Certification Financial Planning Education Program
CFP®Certification Financial Planning Education Program
Prepare for your CFP® close to home in less than a year! The CFP® Certification Financial Planning Education Program at Elizabethtown College is offered through a collaborative partnership between the College's Business Department, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and industry leader, Dalton Education.
Registered with and approved by the CFP® Board, the curriculum in these six post-baccalaureate courses satisfy the coursework required for CFP® Certification Examination including the completion of a comprehensive financial plan (capstone course) registered with the CFP® Board.
Ideal for individuals who would like to advance their career in wealth management and financial planning, Etown's program is designed to deliver comprehensive financial planning instruction with an emphasis on high quality services according to clients’ needs, financial goals, and risk profile.
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Program Formats:


Credits Required: 18
Cost Per Credit: $400.00
Program Tuition (18 credits): $7,200.00
Program Features:
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A CFP® Board registered and approved education program. Successful completion of the curriculum allows participants to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
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Dedicated faculty deliver course series via a hybrid model at convenient locations designed for demanding schedules of working professionals.
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Devoted faculty and staff focusing on your success in passing the CFP® exam and career advances.
CFP® Certification Education Program Requirements
Sample Progam Schedule:
TERM: | FALL I | FALL II | SPRING I | SPRING II | SUMMER I | SUMMER II |
COURSE: |
MSF 500
|
MSF 505
|
MSF 515
Estate Planning |
MSF 510
Income Tax Planning |
MSF 520
Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits |
MSF 595
Cases in Financial Planning |
Click on the course below for the description:
Fundamentals and Insurance Planning is a required course of CFP® Certification. FIN571 covers fundamental principles in financial planning and fundamental principles in the theory of insurance. By design, the course covers various aspects of financial planning strategies emphasizing applicable knowledge and techniques with which a financial service professional shall be equipped to best service clients based on CFP Board’s Financial Planning Practice Standards, Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Rules of Conduct, as well as rules of Disciplinary Rule and Procedures. In addition, the course also covers the latest common insurance products and practices emphasizing knowledge and techniques in insurance planning with which a financial service professionals shall be equipped to best service clients The course provides a solid foundation in financial planning while focusing on practical skills.
Investment Planning is a required course of CFP® Certification. FIN572 covers fundamental concepts, theories. Principles, and strategies in investment planning. By design, the course covers various aspects of investment planning strategies emphasizing applicable knowledge and techniques with which a financial service professionals shall be equipped to best service clients. The course provides a solid foundation in investment planning while focusing on practical skills.
Estate Planning is a required course of CFP® Certification. FIN573 covers fundamental principles in estate planning. By design, the course covers various aspects of estate planning strategies emphasizing applicable knowledge and techniques with which a financial service professionals shall be equipped to best service clients. The course provides a solid foundation in estate planning while focusing on practical skills.
Income Tax Planning is a required course of CFP® Certification. FIN574 covers fundamental principles in income tax planning. By design, the course covers various aspects of income tax planning strategies emphasizing applicable knowledge and techniques with which a financial service professional shall be equipped to best service clients. The course provides a solid foundation in income tax planning while focusing on practical skills.
Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits is a required course of CFP® Certification. FIN575 covers fundamental principles in retirement planning and employee benefits. By design, the course covers various aspects of retirement planning strategies emphasizing applicable knowledge and techniques with which a financial service professional shall be equipped to best service clients. The course provides a solid foundation in retirement planning while focusing on practical skills.
Designed to meet the CFP Board Financial Plan Development Course Requirement, Cases in Financial Planning is a capstone financial planning course required for the CFP® Certification. FIN576 allows students to synthesize and integrate different aspects of effective financial planning gained in other CFP program courses to server clients’ needs. By design, the course require students to apply various tools, techniques, and strategies of financial planning to a comprehensive case study that emphasizes applicable financial planning knowledge and skills with which a financial service professionals shall be equipped to best service clients.
Application Requirements
Admissions Requirements
- Official transcripts conferring a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (A GPA waiver can be granted based on professional work experience and other factors).
- Three years of relevant work experience is preferred but not required.
Application Deadlines: This program has rolling admissions. See the SCPS academic calendar for registration deadlines.
Application Process
Please feel free to contact or meet with our admissions team at any point during the application process. Our admissions counselors are not only a great resource to guide you through the process and answer questions, they are skilled at helping our applicants find the best program and options to help them reach their goals!
How to Apply: Complete the graduate application process via the online portal which includes:
- Submitting a $25 nonrefundable application fee (Waived for Elizabethtown College graduates)
- Requesting official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended
- Uploading your current resume
- Uploading a personal statement demonstrating your commitment to professional advancement and contribution to financial planning and advisory
- Submitting Two Letters of Recommendation
- OPTIONAL: Upload proof of certification in CPA, CMA, CIA, CFA or other credentials related to financial services
Career Outlook
Career Opportunities:
- Director of Financial Planning
- Senior Financial Advisor
- Wealth Manager
- Financial Planning Manager
- Senior Financial Advisor
- Senior Financial Planner/Wealth Manager
- Senior Financial Analyst
Job Postings in the Region:
with a projected job increase of nearly 13% through 2023
Source: Burning Glass Technologies ©
Top Employers Hiring:
- Verizon Communications Incorporated
- Citi
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Johnson & Johnson
- The Bank of New York Mellon
- Aetna Incorporated
- Comcast
Source: Burning Glass Technologies ©


Meet Your
Program Director

Dr. Emma Neuhauser
Our experienced Admissions staff is here to help. Fill out a brief contact form and one of our counselors will reach out to guide you on your way.