Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person components of this program have either been paused, rescheduled, or moved into a virtual format until further notice.
Please email gra@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-5213 to learn how these changes affect your program. SDSU will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance of our local and federal health agencies.
Update: July 2020
Admission to the Executive Financial Planner Advanced Certificate Program has been suspended while we conduct a comprehensive program review.
We anticipate that the review will take place during the fall 2020 semester. Announcement of reopening admission for the ongoing program will be made when the review has been completed.
Admission will reopen when the review is complete.
Click here for additional details.
Is it time to consider a career as a financial planning professional?
This CFP Board-registered certificate program is a step in achieving the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Upon successful completion of this 18-unit program, participants will be awarded an SDSU Executive Financial Planner Advanced Certificate, and will be eligible to sit for the CFP Board exam.
Estimated Cost
Min. Completion Time
Course FormatWho Should Apply — Do you meet one of these criteria?
- Financial services firm employees with client contact experience
- Attorneys, CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and CFAs
- Accountants, financial advisors, and professionals
- Individuals with advanced degrees or very substantial experience in finance or accounting
- US military applicants with bachelors degrees and substantial leadership experience
Fully accredited by the AACSB International, SDSU's College of Business Administration conveniently offers the Executive Financial Planner certificate program. Students pursuing further graduate studies may apply units from this certificate toward the Master of Science degree in Financial and Tax Planning.
Financial Planner Certificate Requirements
Applicants eligible for the Executive Financial Planner program should have a bachelor's degree and two or more years of experience in the fields of financial services, finance, law, or accounting. Others will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To be admitted to the CFP program, candidates must meet the departmental and university admission requirements. Students who earn the Executive Financial Planner certificate will complete 18 units of coursework including FIN 522, FIN 590, FIN 651, FIN 657, FIN 705, and ACCT 503.
The following five financial courses rotate continuously: FIN 522, FIN 651, FIN 657, FIN 705, and ACCT 503. New students can begin the CFP program with any one of the courses.
After completing the five financial courses, students will take FIN 590 Personal Financial Planning Practicum. This course is offered two or three times per year, usually in concert with the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Board exam schedule.
SDSU offers three CFP Board-registered financial planning programs that qualify graduates to sit for the CFP Board's comprehensive exam. In addition to the six-course (18 unit) program described here, students may also qualify for the CFP Board exam by earning either of the following on-campus degrees:
- B.S. in Financial Services with a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning
- M.S. with a Concentration in Financial and Tax Planning
How to Apply
Visit the Executive Financial Planner website at https://business.sdsu.edu/financial-planning-certificate/requirements for admission requirements, and curriculum.
Please contact the Faculty Director Thomas Warschauer, Ph.D., CFP®, tom.warschauer@sdsu.edu for more information.
Two, three-unit certificate classes taken prior to matriculation may be transferable to the Executive Financial Planner Advanced Certificate program.
In order to earn an advanced certificate or master's degree, you must apply and be admitted to SDSU. For more information, please contact the Division of Graduate Affairs at gra@sdsu.edu, visit https://admissions.sdsu.edu/graduate or call (619) 594-5213.
Labor Analysis
Financial Planner — Nationwide
Job Postings
Last 12 months
4,659
Projected Growth
Over 10 years
+14.90%
Salary Range
Average
$50,000-$80,000
This CFP Board-registered certificate program is a step in achieving the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®,CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The program provided me with an opportunity to get an amazing education and designation, while I still could produce at my current employment.
~ Adam Shaw, SDSU Financial Planning student