Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program

Fully prepare for CFP® Certification (Certified Financial Planner) and learn relevant trends and practices in the financial planning field.

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Courses

9 Required

0 Elective

Methods

Online

F-1 Visa Eligible

Yes

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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.

Explore fundamentals and financial analysis in personal financial planning

Study investments, insurance and retirement planning

Examine ethics in personal financial planning

Discuss estate planning and risk management

Investments, Income Tax, Retirement, Estate Planning and More

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 and In Person. Can be completed 100% 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 ranked #4 out of the 10 Best Online Certified Financial Planning (CFP) Programs by Financial Advisor Magazine.*

*source: fa-mag.com

This certificate is approved for international students to study full time in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.

International students must meet English language proficiency requirements for admission into the program.

While most certificate programs begin each quarter, some have limited intakes for students studying on F-1 visa. Find this program on the Browse Certificate Programs page to confirm entry quarters before applying.

Learn more:

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.

Get Started

Step 1: Enroll in a Course

Courses in this program are open enrollment and paid for individually. You may take courses without committing to the program.

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Have questions? Talk to an Academic Advisor

Step 2: Become a Candidate

Establish candidacy in the certificate program to receive tailored information, lock in course requirements, and gain access to exclusive student benefits. Registration Fee: $200

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Important Note for International Students: Candidacy fees are included in your program fees and do not need to be paid separately.

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Cost and Fees

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.

Application and Candidacy Fee

$200

Estimated Textbooks and Materials

$1880

Estimated Program Tuition

$7600

International Student Fees

Payment Options

Eligible for VA Benefit
Federal Financial Aid is not available

Required Courses

Customize your experience

Introductory Courses

May be taken concurrently.

Survey of Personal Financial Planning

This course prepares you for learning the details of the financial planning process. Whether you are looking to sit for the CFP exam or enhance your personal understanding, this is the starting point.

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Financial Analysis in Personal Financial Planning

This course covers the basic analytic tools and mathematical techniques used in personal financial planning and introduces the economic concepts underlying the profession. An HP 12C calculator is required.

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Core Courses

Retirement Plans and Other Employee Benefits

Study the various retirement plans and other investment-oriented employment benefits for employees, opportunities for tax deferral and capital accumulation, and the advantages and disadvantages of various alternatives.

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Investments in Personal Financial Planning

This course introduces various market theories and the analysis of business cycles, analysis of individual companies and market analysis.

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Income Taxation in Personal Financial Planning

This course examines the issues and determination of tax liability for numerous events and activities as they relate to a financial plan.

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Insurance in Personal Financial Planning

This course analyzes fundamental insurance principles and the role insurance plays in financial and estate planning.

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Estate Planning

This course is part of the PFP Evening/Online program and is designed to teach students to solve estate planning problems including a review of the impacts of recent tax law changes.

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Capstone Course

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all other seven courses in the certificate.

Personal Financial Planning Capstone

This capstone course bridges academic coursework with actual practice management, introducing students to the skills and tools needed for developing a comprehensive financial plan for a client.

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Ethics Requirement

May be taken at any time during the program.

Ethics in Personal Financial Planning

The financial planner has a fiduciary responsibility that requires utmost good faith as a trusted advisor of their clients. Learn about ethical decision making and conduct specific to the financial planning profession.

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Optional Electives

Business Communications

In the business world, writing clear, concise and comprehensible copy is critical to success. For those with limited business experience, this course provides the opportunity to improve communication in a business setting.

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Marketing Principles and Practices

Build a strong foundation of knowledge with this introductory course to marketing.

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Behavioral Finance

This course is based on the fundamental principle that the first step to successfully investing your money is to not lose it. This course covers financial bubbles, scams, and a study of the biases that drive human behavior.

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Internship in Personal Financial Planning

This internship provides practical experience in a variety of financial planning job functions within the industry and is an opportunity to apply the material previously studied in your personal financial planning courses.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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*View Transfer Course Requirements