UCLA Extension's Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program is ranked #4 out of the 10 Best Online Certified Financial Planning (CFP) Programs by Financial Advisor Magazine.*
This program is perfect for...
- Current financial professionals who wish to expand their knowledge and career prospects
- Recent college graduates or business professionals who want to augment their skills
- Individuals considering a career transition into the financial planning profession
- Those planning to take the CFP® certification examination
What you can learn.
- Fundamentals and financial analysis in personal financial planning
- Investments, insurance and retirement planning
- Ethics in personal financial planning
- Estate planning and risk management
About this program.
As a leading provider of personal financial planning educational programs, UCLA Extension offers this 8-course CFP Board registered certificate to equip you with a thorough understanding of financial planning standards and practice. The curriculum covers the relevant topics that form the basis of—and prepares you for—the CFP® Certification Examination.
Format: Online
Duration: 1 year (full-time), 1.5 - 2 years (part-time)
Accelerated Program: For financial professionals, with at least 2 to 3 years experience, who are looking for an accelerated learning experience, you may consider our Personal Financial Planning: Accelerated Online Certificate.
UCLA Extension's Personal Financial Planning certificate program is a CFP® Board-Registered Education Program. In order to have your transcripts transferred to the CFP® Board for review, which is a required step to sit for the CFP® certification exam, payment of the certificate candidacy fee is required.
Courses in this program have been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit by the State Bar of California and may also be applied toward the State of California‘s continuing professional education (CPE) requirement for the licensure of Certified Public Accountants.
Upon completion of the certificate program, students are also encouraged to enroll in our 4-day CFP® Exam prep course to fully prepare for this difficult exam.
What our certificates have done for our students.
85%
feel a certificate helped them enhance their careers
1 in 4
received a salary increase after starting a certificate program
50%
switched careers after completing a certificate program
85%
recommend a certificate program to others
Source: UCLA Extension Certificate Graduates Survey
Expect more from your education.
UCLA Approved
Our course curriculum is developed in cooperation with the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
The Anderson School of Management is consistently ranked among the top tier business school programs in the country, based on rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, Businessweek.
The certified financial planning courses did a good job of preparing me for the CFP Exam. After passing the exam, I was thankful that UCLA Extension offers these courses and that the instructors had the patience to answer all of my questions.
Tim LeRoy
Personal Financial Planning Certificate Graduate
Courses
Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.
Introductory Courses
May be taken concurrently.
Core Courses
Capstone Course
Prerequisite: Successful completion of all other seven courses in the certificate.
Ethics Requirement
May be taken at any time during the program.
Optional Internship Course
Estimated Cost Breakdown
All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.
**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.
An internship in personal financial planning can provide you with practical experience in a variety of job functions. Certificate students must complete a minimum of 20 units of program curriculum (5 courses) before enrolling in the internship.
This certificate is approved for international students (F-1 student visa).
Students participating in courses offered solely by UCLA Extension must meet the English Language Requirements outlined below. Any international student interested in taking classes on UCLA’s main campus must adhere to the English Requirements outlined for UCLA courses.
Acceptable tests and minimum scores
Scores that are equal to or higher than the listed minimum scores from the following tests, taken within the past two years, can satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
- TOEFL: 80 (iBT)
- IELTS: 6.5
- iTEP: 4.5
- CAE: B (CEFR C1)
- CPE: C (CEFR C2)
- TOEIC: 685
- DUOLINGO (DET): 105
While no other type of test score is accepted in general, students who are affected by test center closures may request an exception to submit an alternate test score.
International Baccalaureates (IB) students or students currently enrolled in an academic institution where the primary language of instruction is English may submit an official academic transcript or verification of enrollment from their school as proof of English proficiency.
Learn more:
The Joseph G. Devanney Scholarship Fund was established by the Devanney Estate to support students enrolling in the capstone course in the Personal Financial Planning Certificate at UCLA Extension and is offered quarterly.
Mr. Devanney was an instructor in the Personal Financial Planning Certificate program for 20 years and is thought of by many as the “grandfather” of the certificate.
The Patricia and Michael Hausknost Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 to provide financial assistance and greater access to education for female students entering the finance industry while pursuing their careers in personal financial planning. This scholarship is offered annually.
Did you know?
Discount for FPALA & CalCPA Members
FPALA and CalCPA members can receive 15% off eligible courses.
Contact us for more information.
Transfer Credits to an Advanced Degree
Graduates of the UCLA Extension Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Certificate program are eligible to transfer up to five courses* toward the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Financial Planning at California Lutheran University (CLU).
Contact Us
Speak to a program representative. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
