Certified Financial Planner CFP® Certificate

Course Overview

Creighton University’s Certified Financial Planner™ Certificate equips career changers and working professionals with comprehensive, ethics-centered training in personal financial planning. This fully online, self-paced program fulfills the CFP Board’s education requirement, preparing you to sit for the CFP® exam and confidently advise clients in a fast-growing field. 

Whether you're entering the field, changing careers, or enhancing your credentials, this program gives you the skills, ethics and confidence to thrive in today’s evolving financial landscape. 

Courses Include: 

Each course builds toward a practical, real-world understanding of financial planning: 

• • Fundamentals of Financial Planning – Ethics, planning process, time value of money 
  • Investment Planning – Securities, risk, valuation, portfolio theory 
  • Insurance & Risk Management – Personal risk strategies using insurance tools 
  • Tax Planning – Federal tax laws and planning strategies 
  • Retirement Planning – Medicare, Social Security, IRAs, 401(k)s 
  • Estate Planning & Taxation – Wills, trusts, wealth transfer, tax efficiency 
  • CFP® Capstone – Apply your knowledge to develop a full financial plan

*Notice: Each course will require the purchase of a textbook to complete.  Current textbook requirements are listed in each course. 

Who Should Enroll

This noncredit certificate is ideal for financial advisors, wealth managers, accountants, CPAs, estate planning attorneys, bankers, insurance professionals, career changers and finance graduates seeking CFP® certification. 

Course Outcomes

You’ll gain CFP® Board-approved education and real-world financial planning knowledge—so you can confidently advise clients, meet certification requirements and grow your career with guidance from expert faculty. 

What You’ll Learn

• • The personal financial planning process, including ethics, communication and fiduciary conduct 
    
  • Investment strategy, security valuation, and portfolio theory 
    
  • Insurance and risk management across life, health, property, and liability 
    
  • Tax planning and strategies to maximize client outcomes 
    
  • Retirement planning, Medicare, Social Security, and savings tools 
    
  • Estate planning, wills, trusts and generational wealth strategies 
    
  • Comprehensive planning, integrating all domains into a client-centered financial plan 

FAQ

What are the benefits of completing this certificate? 

This program prepares you for a career as a financial planner, investment advisor or wealth consultant—and supports ethical client service in roles across finance, law, insurance and accounting. 

What is the career outlook for individuals who complete this program? 

Financial planning is a growing and respected profession with strong demand across the U.S. According to the CFP Board (2024), Certified Financial Planner® professionals earn 13% more than other financial planners, with a median salary of $185,000. 

Do I need to complete all the courses?  

Yes. You must complete all seven courses to earn the certificate and meet the CFP Board’s education requirement. 

How long does it take to complete?  

Most students complete the full program in 9–12 months. 

How is the certificate structured? 

This certificate is 100% online and self-paced. You can start anytime and progress on your own schedule—ideal for working professionals.  

Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree to take this certificate? 

While you can take the CFP® Certificate without a bachelor’s degree, to become a CFP® professional, the CFP Board requires that you hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before earning the certification. 

Does completing the CFP® Certificate qualify me for the CFP® exam? 

Yes. Upon successful completion of all seven courses, you will meet the CFP Board’s education requirement and be eligible to sit for the CFP® exam.

Do you offer tuition assistance?  

We do not offer tuition assistance for lifelong learning courses or certificates. However, Creighton alumni, faculty, staff and eligible partner employees, along with their spouses and dependents, may qualify for a 15% discount. One discount per offering. Other restrictions may apply. Learn more. 

Source: 

CFP Board (2024). Salary & Stats. Retrieved December 1, 2025 from https://www.cfp.net/why-get-certified/financial-planner-salary-and-stats.