Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) Certification Education Program

General Principles
CPEs: 33.5      CEUs: 2.8
This course provides an overview of the financial planning process and the economic and legal environments it takes place, the time value of money, the analysis of financial statements, and the code of ethics and professional responsibility to which practitioners must adhere.

Objectives: Upon completion, students are able to:

• Perform time value of money calculations by understanding the underlying concepts and utilizing technology
• Demonstrate an understanding of the inter-relatedness of insurance, investments, retirement planning, income tax, and estate planning in the financial planning process and how the changing economic environment affects that process
• Identify and quantify debt management and education planning objectives as well as overall financial objectives of a client through evaluation of financial statements and other data. Assess deficiencies, recommend corrections, and develop and maintain a financial plan
• Articulate the code of ethics and professional responsibility to which practitioners must adhere, plus the Financial Planning Practice Standards employed during each step of the Financial Planning process

Insurance and Risk Management
CPEs: 30     CEUs: 2.8
This course will give an overview of risk assessment and the management of risk through a variety of insurance instruments.

Objectives: Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Communicate the concepts of risk assessment in a manner understandable to clients
• Address the broad range of insurance instruments and how they may be evaluated and employed to manage the risk of loss of income and risks associated with property ownership and legal liabilities
• Incorporate insurance into a client’s overall financial plan
• Understand the ethical aspects of insurance advising

Investment Planning
CPEs: 40.5     CEUs: 3.4
This course will provide an overview of investment terminology and the fundamentals of investing, including the efficient market hypothesis, the role of financial intermediaries, securities trading, risk, and portfolio theory. Special attention will be paid to the analysis and selection of common stocks and fixed income securities.

Objectives: Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Assess a client’s risk tolerance and exposure to determine which investments provide the best approach to reach the objectives of the client’s financial plan
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of common stock and fixed income securities and the variety of ways these instruments may be analyzed
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of riskier vehicles such as options, commodities, and financial futures
• Utilize a wide range of resources to evaluate various investment vehicles and strategies
• Employ the concepts of portfolio planning and management to provide diversification to a client’s portfolio with sensitivity to tax considerations
• Explain the taxation of investment vehicles
• Apply the ethical aspects of investment advising in their practice

Income Taxation Planning
CPEs: 40.5     CEUs: 3.4
This course will give an overview of the federal tax system and its impact on financial planning for individuals and business entities.

Objectives: Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Access and apply the resources that are required to meet the challenge of annual changes to the tax code
• Explain income taxation fundamentals, tax consequences, and tax computations
• Identify the options available to individuals and business owners for reducing their tax burdens while preserving their wealth accumulation strategies.
• Recognize the ethical and legal implications of tax advising

Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning
CPEs: 40.5     CEUs: 3.4
This course will introduce and explore the concepts involved in developing retirement and employee benefit plans from both the employer and employee perspectives. Participants will study the legislation that impacts plan design and the tax advantages and disadvantages of various qualified and non-qualified plans, including IRAs and pension and profit-sharing plans. Also addressed will be Federal Social Security, Medicare, and employer-sponsored health and welfare plans.

Objectives: Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Define and differentiate between the types of plans that can be developed
• Analyze a client’s financial health and develop the most advantageous retirement and employee benefit options to meet the long-term needs expressed in the overall financial plan
• Identify the needs and objectives of businesses to determine the best design for their employee retirement and benefit plans

Estate Planning
CPEs: 40.5     CEUs: 3.4
This course will provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts and constraints of estate and gift tax planning as the primary method of orderly and intentional wealth transfer. They will learn the major strategies employed by practitioners when developing estate plans.

Objectives: Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of wills, trusts, and estates 
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the concepts of risk management, insurance, portfolio management, retirement planning, and taxation and how they are synthesized in the estate and gift tax planning process
• Analyze and evaluate a client’s financial and non-financial status and goals in order to develop, communicate, and implement the most advantageous estate and gift tax plan

Financial Plan Development Course
CPEs: 46.5     CEUs: 3.9
This capstone course will allow students to apply the knowledge they have gained through the curriculum in a synthesized manner. Included in this course is a module on improving communications with clients. One class will be devoted to presenting how to use the financial planning process to set client expectations and answer any questions or concerns clients have before agreeing to a financial planning engagement.  

Objectives: Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the content found within the financial planning curriculum and effectively apply and integrate this information in the formulation of a financial plan  
• Effectively communicate the financial plan, both orally and in writing, including information based on research, peers, colleagues, or simulated client interaction and/or results emanating from material synthesis.
• Collect all necessary and relevant qualitative and quantitative information required to develop a financial plan
• Analyze personal financial situations, evaluating clients’ objectives, needs, and values to develop an appropriate strategy within the financial plan
• Demonstrate logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to a specific problem
• Evaluate the impact of economic, political, and regulatory issues concerning the financial plan
• Evaluate the impact of economic, political, and regulatory issues concerning the financial plan
• Apply the CFP Board Financial Planning Practice Standards to the financial planning process

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

The Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and federally registered CFP (with flame logo). 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.

Rice Certificate of Achievement

Whether you choose the classroom or online format, you will complete seven consecutive courses in approximately nine months in preparation for the exam. Each course offers a series of quizzes, a mid-term exam, and a final exam delivered online outside of regular class hours. Upon successfully completing each course with a grade of at least 70, students will be awarded a Rice University Certificate of Achievement, which fulfills the educational requirements to apply and sit for the CFP examination. The exam is administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Completion of the Rice CFP Graduate Certificate Program does not guarantee success on the CFP Certification Examination. Individuals preparing for the exam should consider an exam preparation course.

Rice University's Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) Certification Education program requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

• Financial Planners
• Accountants
• Investment advisors
• Stockbrokers
• Trust officers
• Attorneys
• Bankers
• Retirement or benefits specialists
• Insurance agents
• Investors

Attention CPAs:
We have registered with the Texas State Board of Accountancy (Registration no. 600) to meet the requirements of the continuing professional education rules covering maintenance of attendance records, retention of program outlines, qualifications of instructors, program content, physical facilities, and length of class hours. This registration agreement does not constitute an endorsement by the Board as to the quality of the program or its contribution to the licensee's professional competence.

Rice University is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority to accept individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website learningmarket.org.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP^® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University does not certify individuals to use the CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and federally registered CFP (with flame logo). 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.

Careers
Search for a job using the CFP Board Career Center.

Course 1: General Principles and Psychology of Financial Planning

Eight Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan 8 - Feb. 5, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

Online final exam: Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 6- 9 p.m. CST

Course 2: Insurance and Risk Management

Seven Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 12 - Mar. 4, 2024, 6 -9 p.m. CST

Skip dates on March 11 & 13, 2024

Online final exam: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

Course 3: Investment Planning

Ten Mondays and Wednesdays, Mar. 18 - Apr. 17, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

Online final exam: Monday, April 22, 2024, 6:00-9:00 p.m. CST

Course 4: Income Taxation Planning

Ten Mondays and Wednesdays, Apr. 24 - May 29, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

Skip Date on May 27, 2024

Online final exam: Monday, June 4, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

Summer Break: June 5 - July 31, 2024

Course 5: Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning

Ten Mondays and Wednesdays, Aug. 5 - Sep. 9, 2024, 6 -9 p.m. CST

Skip Date on September 2, 2024

Online final exam: Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

Course 6: Estate Planning

Ten Mondays and Wednesdays, Sep. 16 - Oct. 21, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

Skip Date on October 14, 2024

Online final exam: Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 6:00-9:00 p.m. CST

Course 7: Case Studies in Financial Planning

Thirteen Mondays and Wednesdays, Oct. 28 - Dec. 11, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

Skip Date on November 27, 2024

Final Presentations: December 9 and December 11, 2024, 6-9 p.m. CST

*Schedule subject to change.

Financial assistance information can be found on Rice Financial Aid's Visiting and Continuing Education Students page.

The Certified Financial Planner Certificate Program's estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is $6,845. This includes the tuition ($5,945) and the estimated cost of books ($900).

Rice University's Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is proud to partner with Guild Education to bring our high-quality, market-attuned, accessible education and training opportunities to Guild's world-class partnering organizations. Learn more about our partnership with Guild.
Complete the Rice-Guild Application.

The Center for Financial Planning administers scholarship programs to enable qualified individuals to start or complete the education requirement for attaining CFP^® certification. These scholarship programs are part of the Center's Workforce Development initiative designed to attract and develop the next generation of financial planners. 

Due to the high demand for courses, registrations are considered final as of 10 working days before class starts. No refunds will be issued after these dates, and credits will not be given for future classes. No refunds will be granted for participants who miss a program portion. Refund requests before the deadline are subject to a 10% processing fee and must be made in writing to gscs@rice.edu. If books have been issued, the books' cost and shipping fees will be deducted. Refunds for credit card payments will be processed as credits to the accounts they were paid and may not appear as a credit until the following statement. Refunds for enrollments paid by check take up to four weeks to be processed and mailed by the Rice University accounting office. There is a $30 charge for any check returned for insufficient funds.

Testimonials

“The Rice CFP Certification Education program exceeded all of my expectations. It was very well organized with top-notch instructors, and provided me with a rigorous review of all of the topics in preparation for the exam. For anyone interested in sitting for the CFP exam, I would highly recommend enrolling in Rice’s program.”
-Matt Caire, CFP, CMT, Vice President-Investments at Houston Trust Company

“The CFP Certification Education program at Rice was very rigorous, but with such interesting topics it was also enjoyable. I appreciated the experience that each instructor was able to share as they were all actively working in the respective fields they presented on and had real world experiences to relate the material to. I certainly recommend this program to anyone wanting to pursue financial planning. It will prepare you with a solid foundation to then study for and sit for the CFP exam.”
- Vivecca A. Hartman, CPA, CFP, Principal & Accounting Manager at Fayez Sarofiim & Co.

“As a career changer, the CFP Certification Education program at Rice University provided practical and rigorous preparation for a career in the financial services industry. The program instructors were both knowledgeable and accessible and did an outstanding job of preparing me for the CFP exam.”
- Frank E. Shields

Online Course Requirements

This class is offered through the Glasscock School’s Zoom-powered classroom, which allows you to attend class in person on the Rice campus or to attend and participate online. Choose the learning environment that best fits your needs from class to class.