Frequently Asked Questions About the CFP® Certification Education Program
What our students say...
"When I started the CFP Certification Education Program you think you're
just going to gain some book knowledge needed to pass the CFP exam.
What you get, however, is so much more! Not only do you learn the
information, but you're taught how to apply it in your everyday situations.
Another huge benefit of this program is the relationships you develop with
your colleagues. This network is so important in today's business
world. Neil really cares about your success (not just on the exam, but
in your life in general!) He goes the extra mile for each and every
one of his students. If financial planning is something you're
interested in, then this program is a must! It will truly change your
life! Joshua R. Salley, CFP
2007-09 CFP certification
brochure & application (PDF Format)
This CFP® Certification Education Program contains the career knowledge needed by financial planners, as described by CFP® Board. This program is offered over an 18-month period at Midlands Technical College Airport Campus and various other locations via interactive conferencing. Classes at all locations meet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays.
Primary Program Location:
Midlands Technical College Airport Campus - West Columbia, SC
Interactive Conferencing Sites:
Aiken Technical College
Central Carolina Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Greenville Technical College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Piedmont Technical College
Technical College of the Lowcountry
Tri-County Technical College
Trident Technical College
York Technical College
What is CFP® certification?
CFP® certification is a nationally and internationally recognized professional certification. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. awards the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and CFP® (with flame design) marks to individuals that fulfill initial and ongoing certification requirements: satisfy the educational requirements, three to five years of work experience in a financial planning field, pass the CFP® Certification Examination, compliance with CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, continuing education and recertification.
What is Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards?
CFP Board is a nonprofit professional regulatory organization. CFP Board was founded in 1985 and exists to benefit the public by establishing and enforcing requirements for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificants. It is funded by the fees it collects for examination and certification. CFP Board also registers educational programs in financial planning. Registered educational programs, such as the CFP® Certification Education Program at Midlands Technical College, satisfy CFP Board's educational requirement. For more information, see www.cfp.net.
How long does it take to complete the program?
Classes for this session of the program begin September 13, 2007. The curriculum is 7 courses over 18 months. Students will complete the program in March 2009 and be eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination in July 2009.
What are the tuition and total costs to program participation?
Tuition for the courses is $3,500. You should expect to pay approximately $750 for the required text books. The costs for the optional review courses and associated texts, CFP® Certification Examination fee and CFP Board Certification fee are not included in the tuition and are separate from the costs of the program. You may expect to pay approximately $650 - $1,000 for the optional review course, $595 for the CFP® Certification Examination fee and $100 for the CFP Board Certification fee.
Call our VA Coordinator at (803) 738-7802 to begin the VA application process. To register or for information about payment plans available for this program, call (803) 732-0432. For other questions, call Patsy Tower, Director, Center for Special Programs and Community Education, at (803) 732-5256.
What are the program's entrance requirements?
As of 2007, the CFP Board requires that applicants hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, successful financial planning students who sit for the exam need three or more years of experience in the financial services industry. Applicants who do not meet these degree and work experience requirements are asked to interview with the program's director.
What is the general time commitment expected of students?
Our instructors estimate that they spend 3 hours of preparation time for each hour of actual classroom instruction each week. Students should be prepared to commit the same amount of time to their studies. Dalton Publications, a leading educator, estimates that students should spend 200 - 250 hours studying for the comprehensive exam. A student enrolling in the Fall 2007 CFP® Certification Education Program at Midlands Technical College who passes the July 2009 comprehensive exam and meets CFP Board's other standards may be eligible to use the marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® in late 2009.
What is the format of the CFP® Certification Exam?
The CFP® Certification Exam is a rigorous professional exam given over a two-day period for a total of 10 hours. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and three major case problems. The exam tests comprehension, synthesis and evaluation as well as knowledge of facts and terms.
CFP® CERTIFICATION
EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Midlands Technical College (MTC) CFP® Certification Education Program will expand your skills and career options. Specifically designed for professionals in the financial services industry, this program will help you extend your knowledge, establish your credibility and broaden your network of contacts. Among the program benefits are the following:
- Up-to-Date Knowledge
Our combination of experience, information and methodology will give you the knowledge you seek to more effectively serve your clients. - Expanded New Career Options
Your fellow students will typically offer a valuable network of contacts. Participants in the CFP® Certification Education Program include accountants, bankers, stockbrokers, investment advisors, insurance advisors, financial planners and other professionals. - Valuable Credentials
Certification as a financial planner indicates a commitment to delivering professional and comprehensive services that will impress and reassure your clients. The combination of certification as a financial planner and a certificate from Midlands Technical College will provide you with the credibility that today's sophisticated clients demand.
About CFP® Certification
In today's competitive financial planning environment, the CFP Certification is the mark of a true professional. Begin your personal quest for the certification that proves you are a leader in your profession. The CFP Certification Education Program will help you expand your knowledge and credibility, broaden your contact network and deliver expertise to your clients.
Midlands Technical College's CFP® Certification Education Program is registered with Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board). Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and federally registered CFP® (with flame design), which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements. Midlands Technical College does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and federally registered CFP® (with flame design) certification marks. CFP® certification is granted only by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience and examination requirements.
The Program Curriculum
The program consist of the following seven sequential courses, taught by practicing local professionals and CFP® certificants:
- Fundamentals of Financial Planning CEPFP 610
A foundation providing the student with a comprehensive overview of the financial planning process, emphasizing goal and priority setting, data gathering and implementing a financial plan. Also covered is time value of money concepts, financial calculator protocol, legal environment, financial analysis and ethical and professional considerations in financial planning.
September 13 - November 1, 2007.
- Insurance Planning CEPFP 650
This course covers the various aspects of life, disability and medical insurance. Students also learn about property& casualty insurance (including homeowners, liability and auto insurance), employee benefits and social security& insurance regulations.
November 15, November 29-December 13, 2007; January 3 - February 7, 2008.
- Investment Planning CEPFP 630
An analysis of investment alternatives in a risk-return framework, with an emphasis on selection, timing and diversification techniques. This course teaches students how to construct and manage various investment vehicles appropriate for clients' needs. Proficiency on the financial calculator is required for this course.
February 21 - May 1, 2008.
- Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits Planning CEPFP 640
This course instructs students on how to effectively plan, implement and monitor personal and business-sponsored retirement plans.
May 15 - June 26; July 10 - July 31, 2008.
- Estate Planning CEPFP 660
This course allows students to learn the techniques which minimize the impact of state and federal taxes on transfers of wealth, gifts and bequests, trusts, charitable transfers and intra-family business and property transfers. This course will stress the need for balancing tax and non-tax considerations in creating successful estate plans.
August 7 - October 16, 2008.
- Income Tax Planning CEPFP 620
A module emphasizing the concepts and methods of determining tax liability for individuals and ways to efficiently manage a client's taxes.
October 30 - November 20, 2008; December 4 - December 18, 2008; January 8 - January 29, 2009.
- Comprehensive Examination Review CEPFP 680
A course emphasizing the various areas of personal financial planning and concepts in an integrated planning environment.
February 12 - March 26, 2009.
Click Here for Course Descriptions & Class Schedules
To register for any of the above courses, call 803-732-0432.
Midlands Technical College does not discriminate in admissions or employment on the basis of race, sex, national origin or ethnic group, color, age, religion, disability or military service. The compliance officer for Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Action can be reached at (803) 822-3261.
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