Delivery
Online
CFP® Certification Financial Planning Education Program
Complete the coursework required for CFP® certification through UNC Charlotte’s flexible online program taught by CFP® professionals
Program Overview
Prepare for the Gold Standard in Financial Planning
Prepare for a career in financial planning with UNC Charlotte’s CFP® Certification Financial Planning Education Program. This fully online program satisfies the CFP Board’s coursework requirement and prepares professionals to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
Located in Charlotte—one of the largest financial centers in the United States—UNC Charlotte is uniquely positioned to prepare professionals for careers in financial advising and wealth management.
Program Contact
Enrollment Team
School of Professional Studies
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Key Program Features
The CFP® Certification Financial Planning Education Program prepares students to develop comprehensive financial strategies for individuals and families. Coursework covers the full financial planning process and aligns with the CFP Board’s required knowledge domains.
Students learn how to:
- Develop integrated financial plans for clients
- Evaluate investments and portfolio strategies
- Plan for retirement income and wealth transfer
- Manage insurance and financial risk
- Apply tax strategies within financial plans
- Uphold ethical standards in financial planning practice
The program is structured to support working professionals through flexible scheduling and a blended learning format. Students typically complete the program in approximately 12 months.
eMoney® Access Included
A University Program eMoney® account is included in the program, at no additional cost.
Why Earn the CFP® Certification?
The CFP® certification is widely considered the gold standard in financial planning credentials. It demonstrates expertise in comprehensive financial planning and signals to employers and clients that you meet the highest professional standards in the industry.
Professionals who earn the CFP® certification gain advanced knowledge in areas such as investment planning, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, and financial risk management. Additional benefits include:
Industry Recognition
The CFP® certification is one of the most respected credentials in financial services and is frequently preferred by employers hiring financial advisors and wealth managers.
Career Advancement
Many financial firms encourage or require CFP® certification for professionals seeking advisory roles, promotions, or leadership opportunities.
Client Trust and Credibility
Clients often prefer working with advisors who hold the CFP® certification because it reflects rigorous training, ethical standards, and fiduciary responsibility.
Who Should Enroll?
The CFP® Certification Financial Planning Education Program is designed for professionals who want to build or advance a career in financial planning and wealth management.
Financial Services Professionals
Professionals working in banking, financial advising, insurance, or investment services who want to expand their expertise and pursue CFP® certification. Examples include:
- Financial advisors
- Relationship managers
- Investment representatives
- Insurance agents
- Private banking associates
Early-Career Finance Professionals
Individuals with 0–3 years of experience in financial services who want to strengthen their credentials and accelerate their career growth.
Mid-Career Professionals Seeking Advancement
Professionals with 5–10 years of experience in finance or related fields who want to deepen their expertise and move into more strategic advisory roles.
Career Changers Entering Wealth Management
Professionals transitioning from other industries such as:
- Accounting
- Corporate finance
- Sales
- Consulting
- Insurance
Recent Business or Finance Graduates
Graduates who want to gain specialized knowledge in financial planning and meet the coursework requirement for CFP® certification early in their careers.
Admissions
The program is designed for professionals seeking to advance or transition into financial planning careers.
Ideal Participants
- Financial advisors or bankers seeking CFP® certification
- Insurance or investment professionals expanding into financial planning
- Accountants transitioning into wealth management
- Career changers entering financial services
- Recent business or finance graduates
Admission Requirements
Participants should typically have:
- Interest in financial planning or wealth management
- Professional experience in finance or business (recommended)
A bachelor’s degree is not required to begin the program, but it is ultimately required to obtain CFP® certification.
Skills You Will Learn
Participants develop the knowledge and practical skills required to deliver comprehensive financial planning services.
Participants will learn how to:
- Develop Comprehensive Financial Plans
Create integrated financial strategies that address client goals, risk tolerance, and long-term financial needs. - Analyze Investment Strategies
Evaluate portfolio construction, asset allocation, and investment strategies. - Plan for Retirement
Develop retirement savings and income distribution strategies. - Apply Tax Planning Strategies
Understand tax considerations that impact financial planning decisions. - Manage Financial Risk
Assess insurance needs and develop strategies to protect clients from financial loss. - Plan for Wealth Transfer
Help clients implement estate planning strategies that support generational wealth transfer. - Apply Ethical Financial Planning Practices
Understand fiduciary responsibilities and professional ethics in financial planning. - Communicate Financial Strategies
Present complex financial information in ways clients can understand and act on.
Career Outlook
Financial planning is one of the fastest-growing professions within the financial services industry.
Strong Employer Demand
- 11,000+ job postings for financial advisors in the Southeast
- 13,101 job postings referencing the CFP® certification between 2021–2025
- 19.2% projected growth in financial planning roles through 2035
The CFP® certification is cited more frequently in job postings than many other finance credentials.
Salary Potential
Financial planners often see significant salary growth as they gain experience. According to the CFP Board’s 2025 Compensation Study, the median total compensation in 2024 for financial planners with less than five years of experience was approximately $107,500. For professionals with five to ten years of experience, median compensation increased to about $148,730, highlighting the strong long-term earning potential in the profession. (Source: CFP Board, 2025)
Employers Hiring Financial Planners
Major employers include:
- Bank of America
- Truist
- Edward Jones
- Fidelity
- Wells Fargo
- Morgan Stanley
Textbooks & Required Materials
Textbooks
The estimated cost of required textbooks is $800–$1,200, depending on whether you purchase new, used, or rental copies. Tuition does not include textbooks or a financial calculator.
A complete list of required textbooks will be provided to registered students and posted through the UNC Charlotte Barnes & Noble Bookstore approximately 30 days before the start of each course.
Students may also purchase textbooks from Money Education or another retailer of their choice.
As an added benefit, registered students will receive a 20% discount code for eligible textbook purchases made through Money Education when textbook information is distributed.
Financial Calculator
A financial calculator is required for this program.
The HP 12C, HP 10bII, and HP 10bII+ are the calculators used in course demonstrations and are the recommended models for students. Other financial calculators are permitted; however, instruction is provided only for the HP models listed above. To ensure every student is comfortable using these tools, the program includes a dedicated lesson on financial calculator fundamentals. Financial calculators must be purchased separately.
Included with Tuition
Your tuition includes access to a University Program eMoney® account at no additional cost. eMoney® is an industry-leading financial planning platform used by financial planning professionals nationwide and is integrated throughout the curriculum, providing valuable hands-on experience.
As an added bonus, students may choose to complete an eMoney® Certificate earning an additional Digital Badge, demonstrating proficiency with one of the profession’s leading financial planning software platforms.
Program Cost
Full Program Bundle
Tuition for the CFP® Certification Financial Planning Education Program is $4,195.
Limited-Time Launch Offer: Save $1,000
Enroll in the full program by February 1, 2027 to receive $1,000 off program tuition.
This price includes:
- All seven courses
- Practice exam preparation resources
- Live Online Faculty Support
- Access to eMoney® platform
The program is priced competitively compared with national providers of CFP Board-registered education. Who often charge separately for exam review and may not include software access.
Pay Per Course
Prefer to pay as you go? Participants may enroll and pay for courses individually as they progress through the program.
- Individual courses: $600 per course
- Capstone course: $875
Please note that textbooks are a separate cost, approximately $1,000.
Meet the Instructors
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a finance degree?
No. The program is designed for finance professionals as well as career changers entering financial planning.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree?
A bachelor’s degree is not required to begin the program, but it is ultimately required to obtain CFP® certification. The CFP Board allows the degree requirement to be completed within five years after passing the CFP® exam.
How long does the program take?
Most students complete the program in approximately 12 months.
Can I work while completing the program?
Yes. The program is designed for working professionals with flexible online coursework and live online sessions.
What happens after I complete the program?
Upon completion of all required coursework, participants will receive a certificate of completion from UNC Charlotte. This program is registered with Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and students who successfully complete the program coursework will be eligible to apply for the CFP® exam.
Can I transfer credits from another CFP Board Registered Program?
UNC Charlotte does not accept transcripts from other programs for credit toward completion of the UNC Charlotte program. Participants may either:
- Combine documentation from multiple CFP Board Registered Programs: Participants may self-report each completed course to the CFP Board as Multiple Registered Programs/Combo Status. Under this option, UNC Charlotte does not report completion of the entire UNC Charlotte program.
- Complete the full program through UNC Charlotte: Participants may complete all required courses through UNC Charlotte.
What practical application is included?
Each module includes hands-on Think Like a CFP® Professional exercises designed to help participants apply what they are learning to real-world financial planning scenarios. These exercises focus on:
- Asking the right questions to understand client needs
- Effectively communicating financial planning recommendations
- Developing the advisory habits used by CFP® professionals
The program was developed with support from UNC Charlotte’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) instructional design team, helping integrate practical application throughout the curriculum.
Does this program include exam prep?
Yes. Exam preparation is integrated throughout the program to help participants prepare for the CFP® exam. This includes:
- Exam-preparation activities and resources within each course
- Required textbooks that support exam preparation
- Coursework that satisfies CFP Board’s coursework requirement
When can I take the CFP® exam?
After successfully completing the program coursework, participants will have satisfied CFP Board’s coursework requirement for CFP® exam eligibility.
The CFP® exam is offered three times per year:
- March
- July
- November
For additional exam dates and information, visit CFP.net.
Can I take more than one course at a time?
Yes. Participants have flexibility in how they complete their courses based on their schedule and available study time. Participants may:
- Enroll in all courses at once and take up to three courses simultaneously
- Complete courses sequentially across a term
We recommend starting with CFP101, which introduces foundational topics including the financial planning process, client engagement and the Psychology of Financial Planning.
Fast-Track Your CFP® Certification
Participants who hold certain qualifying professional credentials or advanced degrees may be eligible for the CFP Board’s Accelerated Path, allowing them to bypass most of the standard coursework requirements.
Eligible participants must still complete the Capstone course or, where applicable, the Capstone Alternative.
Qualifying credentials and degrees include:
- CPA
- Licensed attorney
- CFA®
- DBA
- CIMA®
- Qualifying Ph.D.
- ChFC®
- CLU®
- Qualifying international CFP certification
Before enrolling, participants should verify their eligibility directly with CFP Board.
Additional Resources & Related Program
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.