PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Fordham University’s Executive Certificate in Financial Planning program has been designed for professionals in the brokerage, insurance, accounting, banking, and related industries. Whether you are new to the financial services industry or a seasoned financial services professional, this program is designed to be equally beneficial. An outstanding faculty presents the material in a manner that is clear, concise and understandable. The program will focus on the technical aspects, practical application, ethics and professionalism of financial planning. Thetopics covered by this program are:

• The Process of Financial Planning
• Insurance Planning
• Investment Planning
• Income Tax Planning
• Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning
• Estate Planning

PRE-REQUISITES
Participants in the certificate program MUST have a four-year degree from a United States accredited college or university (requirement of the CFP® Board of Standards). Three years of experience in financial services, or three years of experience in a supervisory or executive position in the government or a nonfinancial services company is preferred. (Three years of experience in financial services is REQUIRED for CFP® Board Certification.)

Course syllabi, handouts and some exams in this certificate program are administered online. Therefore, access to a computer with internet connectivity is a program requirement.

This certificate is a cohort program; participants are required to complete all courses to earn their certificates.

Fordham University offers this program in partnership with Kaplan Schweser™, the leading provider of financial planning and education materials. Kaplan Schweser™ has helped more than 12,000 financial professionals pass the CFP® Certification Examination. Because of Kaplan Schweser's™ extensive experience in providing financial planning education, students participate in an efficient and effective learning environment.

Fordham University is registered with Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to fulfill the educational requirements of the CFP® certification.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects personal financial planning as one of the top three areas of professional career growth in the coming decade. (Fortune Magazine - March 21, 2005.)

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COURSE OVERVIEW & DESCRIPTIONS

Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance Planning
This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of financial planning. Students will receive an overview of specific areas of financial planning such as income tax planning, investment planning, retirement planning and estate planning. In addition, the course will present topics on the concepts of time value of money, education and retirement funding, and insurance planning. A financial calculator, such as an HP-12C, is required for this course.


Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
This course introduces investment strategies, portfolio allocation theory and application, debt and equity securities, and portfolio management strategies. This course will also emphasize the importance of determining a client’s risk tolerance and goals and then managing an investment portfolio that incorporates a client’s level of risk while achieving financial goals.


Taxation of Persons, Property and Other Entities
This course will focuson the federalincome tax system. Topics will include gross income inclusions, exclusions, deductions, exemptions and credits. This course will consider the income taxation of individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLC’s, and corporations (including S corporations). Finally, this course will present the students withtaxation avoidance and minimization alternatives.


Retirement and Employee Benefits
This course includes the comprehensive study of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, other tax-advantaged plans, and employee benefits. In addition, this course will present an overview of the Social Security, disability and health care program.


Estate Tax Planning
This course will provide students with an introduction to estate planning and the taxation of estates for the purposes of financial planning. In addition, the overall tax implications of gifts and bequests will be presentedin a manner that provides students with taxation avoidance andminimization techniques to be used when planning a client’s estate.


Cases in Financial Planning
This course will involve case analysis and the integration of the six major areas of personal financial planning, which include:

• Fundamentals of Financial Planning
• Insurance Planning
• Investment Planning
• Income Tax Planning
• Retirement Planning
• Estate Planning

Students will examine the financial condition of individuals or families in a real-world application of the financialplanningtopics that have been covered in the previous five courses. Students will have the opportunity to develop a financial plan and present their recommendations. The course is an excellent preparation tool for professionals entering the field and for solving case-type questions on the CFP® Certification Examination.

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Program Structure
The Executive Certificate in Financial Planning is a sequential six-course certificate program that meets on Friday night and Saturday, every other weekend. Students can expect to complete the program in nine months.

While every effort is made to ensure that classes meet every other weekend, holidays and the University schedule may prevent this accomodation on select weekends.  Please refer to the program schedule for the list of class meetings. 

Admission Criteria
Participants in the certificate program must have a four-year degree from a United States accredited college or university. Three years of experience in financial services, or three years of experience in a supervisory or executive position in the government or a nonfinancial services company is preferred.


Class Exemption Policy
Any person seeking a class exemption must submit a written request to the Program Coordinator.  The request should list the licenses or professional designations and the work experience as indicated here.  If an exemption is granted, the student will be permitted and is strongly encouraged to attend, participate and complete the work assignments for the exempted class.  No more than one exemption per student will be permitted.


Enrollment Tuition
Costs for the six-course curriculum, books and on-line review course is $6,600.  All courses must be taken in sequence.


Certificate
Upon successful completion of all required courses, participants will receive a certificate of completion from Fordham University, along with an official transcript. Having received registration approval with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), students who successfully complete the Executive Certificate will be eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.


Program Faculty
Fordham University is proud to have assembled an outstanding national faculty, in conjunction with KAPLAN SCHWESER. The faculty presents the material in a manner that allows students to utilize their time efficiently and effectively outside of the classroom.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time commitment required for study outside of the classroom?
Depending on the student’s previous experience and education, a student can expect to spend between 1-2 hours studying outside of the classroom forevery hour in the classroom.


How long is the program and how much does it cost?
This is a nine-month program consisting of six courses: Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance Planning, Investment Planning, Income Taxation and Tax Planning, Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning, Estate Tax Planning and a Case Course in Financial Planning. Tuition for the program is $6,600. Tuition includes program, books and on-line review course.


Why choose Fordham University’s Executive Certificate in Financial Planning program over another program?
Quality instruction is a must for any outstanding educational program. All faculty members have advanced degrees and certifications and are experienced professionals in their respective fields.

This program is a joint effort between KAPLAN and Fordham University. KAPLAN is the leading provider of review materials and courses for the CFP® Certification Examination as well as a nationally recognized publisher of financial planning education materials and courses. Combined with our commitment to education, students entering this program can be assured of the best education available.


What is the process of attaining CFP® certification?
In order to attain CFP® certification, there are the four E’s: Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics.

• Education
• Examination
• Experience
• Ethics

Initial Certification
To become certified, you are required to meet the following four initial certification requirements (known as the four "Es"):

These four components are briefly described on the next page; subsequent sections of this booklet provide detailed information about each component. While the CFP® certification requirements may be changed from time to time, you will be expected to meet the requirements that are in place at the time you apply for the CFP® Certification Examination.

Education
To take the CFP® Certification Examination, you will need to be knowledgeable in all of areas covered by the financial planning topic list. Beginning March 1, 2007, candidates for certification must have a bachelor's degree, in any discipline, from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university in order to obtain CFP® certification. The college degree requirement is a condition of initial certification; it is not a requirement to be eligible to take the CFP® Certification Examination and does not have to occur before sitting for the exam or fulfilling the work experience.

Examination
After you have successfully met the education requirement, you will be eligible to apply for the CFP® Certification Examination. The CFP® Certification Examination assesses your ability to apply your financial planning knowledge in an integrated format, to financial planning situations. Combined with the education and experience requirements, it assures the public that you have met a level of competency appropriate for professional practice.

Experience
Because CFP® certification indicates to the public your ability to provide financial planning without supervision, CFP Board requires you to have experience in the financial planning process. Three years of full-time relevant personal financial planning experience is required.

Ethics
When you have completed the education, examination and experience components of the CFP® certification process, you will be directed to complete the CFP® Certification Application asking you to disclose whether you have been a party (or involved) in any criminal, civil, governmental, or self-regulatory agency proceeding or inquiry. CFP® certification also requires you to agree to adhere toCFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards, and acknowledge CFP Board's right to enforce them through its Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.

Beginning January 1, 2007, applicants for CFP® certification will also need to pass CFP Board's Candidate Fitness Standards, which describe conduct that will always bar an individual from becoming certified and conduct that is presumed to be unacceptable and will bar an individual from becoming certified unless the individual successfully petitions CFP Board's Board of Professional Review for reconsideration.

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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®,CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame logo)®, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Fordham University does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame logo)® marks. CFP® certification is granted solely by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP® Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.