Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Program Overview

The Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Program consists of six required courses, each delivered in a 7.5-week format. Completion of all courses fulfills the education component of the CFP® certification pathway and prepares participants for the CFP® examination.

Designed with working professionals in mind, the program combines a structured curriculum with practical, real-world application within a synchronous online environment to balance life’s commitments while progressing toward your financial planning career goals.

Oakland University's Certificate Program in Financial Planning is registered with the CFP® Board and is one of the longest standing registered programs in the country.

Course Descriptions

1) Investment Planning

This foundational course introduces students to the principles of personal financial planning and investment management. Participants explore the financial planning process, time value of money concepts, ethical considerations, economic influences on financial decisions and the fundamentals of investment planning.

The course includes study of securities markets, asset classes, portfolio construction, and investment techniques, tools and strategies. This course is a prerequisite to all the other courses in the program. An HP 10BII calculator is required for the program.

2) Tax Planning

Designed to enable the professional providing personal financial planning services to recognize many of the income tax planning opportunities and dilemmas that may arise. The course covers the fundamentals of individual income taxation and tax law overview, terminology and computations. Discussion and analysis will focus on practical problems involving tax planning implications of home ownership; property transactions; tax advantage investments; divorce and remarriage; forms of business ownership; accounting methods and periods; life insurance, annuities, and securities; intra-family and charitable transfers; and forms and methods of employment compensation.

3) Risk Management and Insurance Planning

This course provides a comprehensive overview of risk management within the financial planning process, with a focus on life, health, casualty, and liability insurance. Includes analysis of risk exposure, evaluation techniques for various insurance plans, and contract selection criteria from a cost-benefit standpoint. Income and estate taxation laws as related to insurance premiums and benefits; alternative methods of funding insurance premiums; and the role of insurance in retirement and estate planning will also be discussed.

4) Retirement Savings and Income Planning

Provides working knowledge of retirement planning tools, terminology, and techniques, including the rules, regulations, and taxation of qualified and non-qualified plans: Pension, profit sharing, 401(k), SEP, IRA, and deferred compensation. Includes study of the basic characteristics of specific employee benefits such as group life insurance and group health coverage. The financial planning process will be emphasized in class discussion with illustrations from practical experience and actual case histories.

5) Estate Planning

This course introduces the essential concepts and strategies used in estate planning while emphasizing practical application through case studies and client scenarios.

Students examine property ownership, wealth transfer strategies, wills and trusts, business succession planning, estate valuation, gift and estate taxation, and the income tax implications of estate planning decisions. Through integrated case analysis, participants learn how estate planning fits within a comprehensive financial plan and develop skills for addressing complex client situations.

6) Financial Plan Development (Capstone)

The Financial Plan Development (Capstone) course serves as the culminating experience of the program, bringing together the knowledge and skills acquired throughout each area of financial planning. Students apply concepts from investment planning, tax planning, risk management, retirement planning, and estate planning to develop a comprehensive financial plan for a client.

Through a structured case study approach, students analyze client information, identify financial planning opportunities, develop recommendations, and create a complete written financial plan. Participants also present their recommendations, strengthening their ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly and effectively.

The Capstone emphasizes the integration of all planning disciplines into a cohesive strategy and provides practical, hands-on experience that mirrors the real-world financial planning process. By the end of the course, students will have developed the skills and confidence needed to construct, evaluate, and present comprehensive financial plans in a professional setting.

Flexible Registration Options

We understand that professionals balance busy careers, family commitments, and educational goals. That's why PACE offers flexible registration options that allow you to complete the program at a pace that works for you.

Two-Course Bundle Option

For greater financial flexibility, participants may register for the program in two-course bundles. Courses must be taken in the following sequence:

• Investment Planning + Retirement Savings and Income Planning
• Estate Planning + Tax Planning
• Risk Management and Insurance Planning + Financial Plan Development (Capstone)

Students may complete the bundles at a slower pace, allowing up to two years to complete the full program while maintaining the required course sequence.

Register for Two Course Bundle

Full Program Bundle

For students who are ready to commit to the entire program, PACE offers a discounted full-program registration option. Registering for the complete program up front eliminates the need for future course registrations, allowing you to focus on your learning and progress toward CFP® education completion.

The full bundle is designed to be completed in approximately one year and includes all required courses in the program sequence.

Register for Full Program Bundle

Textbooks and course materials can be purchased through Kaplan Financial Education and are not included in program tuition.

• An Oakland University discounted rate is automatically applied when purchasing eligible materials. No discount code is required.
• Course materials include an eBook, Question Bank (QBank), online study guide, and assessments.
• A printed textbook is available for an additional fee.

For ordering assistance, additional information, or step-by-step purchasing instructions, please contact PACE at [email protected].

Whether you choose the flexibility of the two-course bundle option or the convenience and savings of full-program registration, you'll have a clear pathway toward completing your CFP® education requirements through Oakland University PACE.