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Personal Financial Planning (Graduate Certificate)
Energize your career in finance and set yourself apart with a graduate certificate in Personal Financial Planning from Creighton University's Heider College of Business.
This program is best suited for finance professionals looking to energize their careers and better serve their clients by earning their CFP® certification. Your courses will prepare you to sit for the exam by teaching you to analyze personal financial situations and evaluate client objectives, needs and values to develop a comprehensive financial plan.
“Part of the culture in the Heider College of Business is that everybody who teaches here has work experience—it's not just all about academics. There are a lot of great scholars here who also can apply real-world experience to their programs.”
—Trent Wachner, PhD | Associate Professor, Heider College of Business
Gain the education you need to sit for the CFP® Exam
The Personal Financial Planning Certificate curriculum consists of six courses designed to increase students’ financial planning knowledge. Courses provide a focused and in-depth curriculum that covers the 72 Topic Areas of Learning specified by the CFP® Board of Standards.
The CFP® certification is recognized as the highest professional certification for financial planners. Earning your CFP® certification shows your clients and your employer that you are serious about financial planning. Certified financial planners are uniquely qualified to understand their clients’ financial situations and develop recommendations to help set and achieve their financial goals.
The Personal Financial Planning certificate has been approved by the CFP® Board of Standards as satisfying the academic requirements needed to sit for the CFP® exam.
A wise investment in your future
We know that graduate school can be a serious investment of your time and money, so we make sure that your investment is a smart one—and one that you can fit in your busy schedule. You’ll only need to complete 18 credits, so you can earn your certificate in financial planning and prepare for the CFP® exam in about a year.
Plus, you’re well on your way to earning a master’s degree if you choose to further advance your education. The credits you earn in the personal financial planning certificate program can be applied toward a full Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning.
Program Details
Program Goals and Curriculum
The Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning is ideal for financial professionals who are looking to advance their financial planning skills and are planning to earn their CFP® certification.
To earn this certificate, you must complete 18 credits:
- Insurance Risk Management
- Tax Theory and Business Decisions
- Estate Planning and Taxation
- Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
- Investment Value and Theory
- Cases in Financial Planning—Capstone
Faculty
Our respected faculty at Creighton strives to help students in the personal financial planning graduate certificate program strengthen their skills, expand their knowledge and work to achieve their goals.
Master's and Dual Degree Options
Credits earned for this graduate certificate can be applied toward a full Master of Business Administration, which can be combined with a variety of other masters as a dual degree.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) (33 credits)
- Gain a general management education that focuses on developing values-based leadership skills. Your certificate will provide an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning.
- Available in on-campus, online, or hybrid formats.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Financial Psychology and Behavioral Finance program, applicants must:
- Complete an application
- Include an updated curriculum vitae or resume
- Provide an official transcript from the institution that granted the Bachelor’s degree. Read more about sending transcripts here
- Submit a personal statement of interest in the graduate certificate
- Include coursework in accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and corporate finance
A personal interview may be requested in addition to the above requirements. The interview may be conducted in-person or virtually.
International students are welcomed into this program so long as they complete it from their country of residence, as F-1 visas will not be issued.
International applicants must:
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition rates change in the fall of each year. Visit our financial aid site for more details.
Financial Aid
To help make your graduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available graduate student scholarships and fellowships.
Still have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731 for any additional questions you may have.
