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 at least two hours outside of the classroom for every 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 $4,500. Tuition does not include books and materials. No out-of-state tuition applied.
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 UTC’s College of Business and Kaplan Financial. Kaplan Financial 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 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 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 Es: Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics.
- Education
The education requirement can be fulfilled by successfully completing the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Certificate in Financial Planning program. Certain professionals such as a Ph.D., D.B.A., JD, CFA, CPA, ChFC or CLU may challenge the exam. Once you become a CFP® certificant, you will be required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years.
- Examination
The CFP® Certification Examination is given three times per year in March, July and November. The national pass rate on the examination is approximately 50%. Based on a 2004 Job Topic Study, CFP Board issued a topic list covering 89 areas that a candidate should be prepared to answer.
- Experience
In order to receive CFP® certification, the candidate must meet certain experience requirements. If a candidate has a bachelor’s degree, then three years of related work experience are necessary. Without a bachelor’s degree, the candidate must have five years of related work experience. In addition, this experience must be completed in the 10 years preceding the exam or five years after the exam.
- Ethics
CFP® certificants are required to abide by CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards. In addition, CFP® certificants are required to disclose to CFP Board if involved in a criminal or civil proceeding.
