Best Schools for CFP Coursework

[Nancy]

What school did you attend?  Was it online or classroom?  What was your experience?  I think it would be helpful for people just entering the profession to learn from the experiences of satisfied former students.

[Rocket, CFP(R)]

Metropolitan Community College (MCC), in Nebraska, on-line courses.  4.5 semesters hours per course.   Courses are NOT offered frequently.   low cost.  It might take you 2 or 3 years to get in the CFP required courses.    These courses are a lot of work.  

Florida State University (FSU).  on-line courses offered frequenly.   0 semester hours per course.   

 I took most cousres at FSU because they are available when I want to take them.    

[Dan]

Hi Nancy-

Full disclosure here.  I work for the University of Georgia - Greene Consulting Online Financial Planning Program, which you can find here: www.financialplannerprogram.com.

The program you go through really is going to depend on what type of learner you are, what kind of time frame you are looking at, and what kind of expense you can handle.  I'll give you a short run down below, but past that, feel free to respond to this again asking for more detail, and I'll be happy to discuss more.

If you can't self-motivate, then you really need to be in the classroom setting.  The online programs are for those folks who can be disciplined enough to get themself through the program without scheduled classes that you must attend.  Unless of course you are going to do one of the online programs that have video classes, but even then it takes a lot of discipline.  If you are one of those people who can motivate themselves, the online is a great choice.  It allows you to go at your own pace.  That means you can take the time you need if a topic is extra tough, or at the same time move quickly through topics with which you are already familiar.

If you are looking to move through the educational component quickly, then again the online is the way to go.  And if you are somone who is very busy and whose schedule changes a lot, then online is the way to go.

The in-class programs are generally going to be about twice as expensive.  Of course the main reason being the instructor's time to be at the location as well as the cost of the classroom.

So those are really the first three things you need to answer for yourself.  Then you should be able to determine if the in-class program is best, or if an online/at-home program is the better option.

At that point, you can begin comparing different programs.  The CFP Board provides a list of all educational providers.  You can find that here:  http://www.cfp.net/become/programs.asp

If you decide to go the online route, our website has a list of things you'll want to look for in an online provider. 

I hope this was helpful.  I tried not to give a biased opinion here.  And if you'd like to discuss our program, or any other program, I'll be happy to discuss.  Just let me know and we can trade emails. 

Good luck with whichever program works best for you!

Kind regards,

Dan Madden

[vigarza007]

What school did you attend?  TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY- PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING Program
Was it online or classroom?  CLASSROOM
What was your experience? ABSOLUTELY, HANDS DOWN, A+MAZING!!!

Excellent faculty, student to professor ratio is very small, most (if not all) in the industry recognizes the caliber of a Texas Tech University Personal Financial Planning Program- as a bachelor's, master's, and the only program in the world with a Doctorate degree. The quality of knowledge is very high and comprehensive. The environment in West Texas is family oriented, teaching you intangibles lessons about people/life that go along with making you a well rounded financial planner/advisor. I have great respect for the professors and admired their wisdom. They are all mentors and care about your experience and life. The resources and connections are hard to compare. and the plans they have for the future will make you want to be an alumni. Highly recommended!!!!

Here is what others have to say (below)...because I can go on forever...
I hope this helps. 

Very proud,

-Victor H. Garza, CFP(R)

Charles Schwab and Texas Tech University Name First Schwab Research Scholar
http://news.ttu.edu/browse/newsRelease/1589

Next generation of advisers: Texas Tech University

With Vicki Hampton of Texas Tech University

Texas Tech degree opens doors

Texas Tech's faculty aims high

 

Texas Tech creates joint business/planning master's program

Texas Tech to add financial planning Ph.D.

7.   take a little break- it really is one of the best schools!!! Victor Garza

Next generation of advisers: Taking the 'holistic' approach

Two graduates, two paths

... financial planning students at Texas Tech University, have ... When the 25-year-old Texas natives decided ... McKee graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in marketing ... financial planning at the Lubbock-based university, he ... ...

Next generation of advisers: Number of planning programs jumps, CFP board says

April 28, 2008   |  By Aaron Siegel

... programs, 36 schools offer 47 master's programs, and Texas Tech University is the lone university with a doctoral program.


Schwab Foundation to promote RIA industry

Schwab donates $1.25M to universities

Reflections of an aspiring financial planner

Investors advised to monitor Fed discount-rate decisions

Younger planners blazing own way

Generational rift centers on career growth

New planning grads face good prospects

Advisers wise to prepare succession plans

25th anniversary celebration

February 26, 2007   |  By Jeff Benjamin

... recognized starting Wednesday at Texas Tech University in Lubbock as part ... original 20 programs, including that of Texas Tech, will gather ... professor in the personal-planning division at Texas Tech.

 

 

[RaiderLaw]

I went to Texas Tech as well.  I completed an M.S. in Personal Financial Planning while getting a law degree through the unique dual degree program.   I completed one class online and the rest in the classroom.  I was extremely pleased with my experience.  There are some great schools out there, but there is no doubt in my mind that Texas Tech has the best financial planning program in the country.  The reputation of Tech's professors, industry support, and facilities is beyond anything else out there at this point.  They are a model program and continue to set the standard for financial planning programs in this country and still have ambitous and exciting goals for the future.  The cheap tuition and costs of living in addition to the excellence and recognition of the program make it an amazing value. 

[robby]

college for financial planning hands down...did home study was very straight forward.  I followed up with the CHFC thru the american college and found their text not to be near as good and so I actually used a lot of my old study material to study for their course exams...

[Geophyrd]

I took the Educational Requirement through Kaplan University Online, which meant classes taught via something a lot like Webex. There were exams at the end of each section with case studies.  Then I took Kaplan's online review.  I didn't pass.

The next time, I took the Kaplan Review with Brett Danko (https://www.brettdanko.com/Index.aspx).  Brett really pulled it all together for me and I passed.