A new resource allows prospective CFP professionals to assess online options for attaining the mark.
TheBestSchools, a website for those searching for the right college, has CFP online programs according to the quality of their programs, types of courses offered, faculty, awards and school reputation for effectively providing online degree programs.
Here, in ascending order, are the website's rundown on the top 10 best online CFP programs:
10. Rice University
Houston
The Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University offers an online CFP certificate program consisting of seven courses in the principles of financial planning, including risk management; investment planning; and tax planning. The online graduate certificate program culminates in a capstone project.
9. University of Missouri
Columbia, Mo.
The university’s Personal Financial Planning Department offers an online graduate certificate program in family pinancial planning that prepares students to take the CFP exam. Registered with the CFP Board of Standards, the online program curriculum includes courses in risk management and employee benefits.
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, Fla.
The university’s Department of Family, Youth, and Community Services offers an online professional development program in personal and family planning, which is CFP Board-registered and prepares students to take the CFP exam. The non-credit graduate certificate online program consists of six courses and a capstone project.
7. California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
The School of Management at California Lutheran University offers a financial planning online certificate program registered with the CFP Board of Standards, which prepares students for CFP certification. Consisting of eight courses and a capstone project, the USDLA award-winning online graduate certificate finance planning program can be completed in an average time of 18 months.
6. DePaul University
Chicago
DePaul University’s Financial Planning Education Center offers an online e-financial planning certificate program registered with the CFP Board of Standards., which prepares students for CFP certification. Students can complete the rigorous six-course graduate certificate program in 18 months.
5. University of California – Irvine
Irvine, Calif.
The Division of Continuing Education at the University of California – Irvine offers an online certified financial planning certificate program registered with the CFP Board of Standards, which prepares students for the CFP exam. Students can complete the eight-course online certificate program in as little time as one year, and course credits can be transferred toward an MBA in financial planning at California Lutheran University.
4. University of California Los Angeles Extension
Los Angeles
The University of California Los Angeles Extension offers an online personal financial planning certificate program. Registered with the CFP Board of Standards, the nine-course certificate program, which includes a capstone project, prepares students for the CFP exam. The university also provides networking opportunities to students through its corporate partnerships, and outreach program affiliations and centers.
3. Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kan.
The Institute of Personal Financial Planning offers an online graduate certificate in personal financial planning. The certificate program, registered with the CFP Board of Standards, is designed to prepare students for the CFP exam in as little as 14 months. The six-course program focuses on financial planning for families. Upon completion, students can transfer the program’s 18 credit hours toward a related master’s degree program at the university.
2. Boston University
Boston
The Center for Professional Education offers an online financial planning certificate program that prepares students with a bachelor's degree to take the CFP exam. Registered with the CFP Board of Standards, the seven-course online graduate certificate program includes a capstone project. The online program can be completed in nine to 12 months.
1. The College for Financial Planning – A Kaplan Company
Centennial, Colo.
The College for Financial Planning, a for-profit college established in 1972, offers the CFP Board-registered online certified financial planner certification program through its MyChoice learning platform. Most students complete the online graduate certificate program in one to two years, but can take up to three years to complete it. Upon program completion, students can directly apply credits earned toward a master's degree in personal planning.
The full report can be viewed here.