Why ODU for Financial Planning?

Our Executive Certificate in Financial Planning provides the knowledge and expertise needed for a successful career in financial planning. It is aligned with the CFP Board Registered Program content, ensuring you meet the educational requirements for the CFP® Board Certification Exam. 

Our seven-course program includes live, online discussions for interactive learning, designed for working professionals and covers the CFP Board Principal Knowledge Topics such as:

  • Professional Conduct and Regulation
  • General Principles of Financial Planning
  • Risk Management and Insurance Planning
  • Investment Planning
  • Tax Planning
  • Retirement Savings and Income Planning
  • Estate Planning
  • Psychology of Financial Planning

Upon completing the program, you will earn a certificate of completion from ODU and be ready to take the next step toward CFP® certification and a rewarding career in financial planning.

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Earning Your CFP

Lazetta Rainey Braxton, MBA, CFP®, Founder & CEO, Financial Fountains is interviewed about why she became a CFP® professional and the benefits of CFP® certification -- the highest standard of personal financial planning.

Play Lazetta Braxton, CFP® on CFP® Certification

Program Information

Advance your career in financial planning with ODU’s Executive Certificate in Financial Planning. Enroll in upcoming classes from the current course schedule and take the next step toward CFP® certification.

All courses are open enrollment except the Capstone course, which has a prerequisite of successful completion of courses 1 through 6 prior to registration.

Now accepting registrations for the 2025–2026 program! New students can observe the course schedule below or access a downloadable version.

Access all course materials 100% online and study from any location. This program features live, synchronous sessions via Zoom, requiring you to log in at the scheduled class times to engage in real-time with our expert instructors. Additionally, you can enjoy the flexibility of watching recordings of your class sessions at your convenience until the course concludes.

Students include CFA’s CPA's, CPU's, CLU's, CFSA's, lawyers, stockbrokers, trust officers, and realtors as well as other representatives of the financial services industry, or anyone wishing to make a career change. Candidates for this program are NOT required to hold a baccalaureate degree nor is one needed to take the CFP® Certification Examination. However, the bachelor’s degree requirement must be completed within 5 years from successfully completing the CFP exam.

It is required that anyone planning to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination complete a CFP Board registered education program, request a transcript review, or be eligible to challenge the examination by virtue of academic or professional credentials.

Advance your career in financial planning with ODU’s Executive Certificate in Financial Planning. Enroll in upcoming classes from the current course schedule and take the next step toward CFP® certification.

All courses are open enrollment except the Capstone course, which has a prerequisite of successful completion of courses 1 through 6 prior to registration.

Now accepting registrations for the 2025–2026 program! New students can observe the course schedule below or access a downloadable version.

Access all course materials 100% online and study from any location. This program features live, synchronous sessions via Zoom, requiring you to log in at the scheduled class times to engage in real-time with our expert instructors. Additionally, you can enjoy the flexibility of watching recordings of your class sessions at your convenience until the course concludes.

Students include CFA’s CPA's, CPU's, CLU's, CFSA's, lawyers, stockbrokers, trust officers, and realtors as well as other representatives of the financial services industry, or anyone wishing to make a career change. Candidates for this program are NOT required to hold a baccalaureate degree nor is one needed to take the CFP® Certification Examination. However, the bachelor’s degree requirement must be completed within 5 years from successfully completing the CFP exam.

It is required that anyone planning to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination complete a CFP Board registered education program, request a transcript review, or be eligible to challenge the examination by virtue of academic or professional credentials.

2025-2026 Cohort Course Schedule

CourseUpcoming Dates

XEDC-1511: Financial Planning Principles, Professional Conduct, and Regulation

This course covers client relationships, financial analysis, and creating recommendations within CFP Board standards. Students explore debt management, education funding, behavioral finance, ethics, and regulatory compliance.

Continuing Education Units: 3.12
Instructor: Mike Milligan, CFP
Tuition: $999.00

August 12 - September 23, 2025
Day(s): Tuesdays, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Register for Financial Planning Principles, Professional Conduct, and Regulation

XEDC-1512: Risk Management, Insurance, and Employee Benefits Planning

This course examines insurance, annuities, and employee benefits, including risk analysis, personal and business coverage, and social insurance. Students also explore equity-based and non-qualified compensation within financial planning.

Continuing Education Units: 4.16
Instructor: Walter McDaniel, EA, CFP
Tuition: $999.00

October 7 – December 9, 2025
Day(s): Tuesdays, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Register for Risk Management, Insurance, and Employee Benefits Planning

XEDC-1513: Investment Planning

This course explores the characteristics, uses, and taxation of various investment vehicles while introducing key investment concepts, risk types, valuation methods, portfolio strategies, and asset pricing models. Students will gain a foundational understanding of investment theory and quantitative analysis.

Continuing Education Units: 4.16
Instructor:  Bruce Rubin, Ph.D.
Tuition: $999.00

January 14 – March 4, 2026
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Registration for Investment Planning for this cohort opens on July 1, 2025.

XEDC-1515: Retirement Savings and Income Planning

This course covers retirement needs analysis, plan types, and tax-advantaged options, along with ERISA provisions and Social Security impacts. Students will also explore distribution rules, plan selection factors, and investment considerations for retirement planning.

Continuing Education Units: 4.16
Instructor: Grant Chapman, CFP
Tuition: $999.00

March 18 – May 6, 2026
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Registration for Retirement Savings and Income Planning for this cohort opens on July 1, 2025.

XEDC-1514: Tax Planning

This course covers income tax fundamentals, business entity taxation, depreciation, and tax implications for financial planning, including AMT, charitable contributions, property disposition, and changes after death or divorce.

Continuing Education Units: 4.16
Instructor: Walter McDaniel, CFP, CPA
Tuition: $999.00

May 20 - July 15, 2025
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Registration for Tax Planning for this cohort opens on July 1, 2025.

XEDC-1516: Estate Planning

This course explores estate planning strategies, including property titling, transfers, gifting, and estate liquidity. Students examine wills, probate, and the types, uses, and taxation of trusts.

Continuing Education Units: 4.16
Instructor: Samuel Johnson, CPA
Tuition: $999.00

July 29 - September 23, 2026
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Registration for Estate Planning for this cohort opens on August 1, 2025.

XEDC-1517: Capstone: Financial Plan Development Course

Students complete a case analysis integrating key financial planning areas, including principles and ethics, risk management, investments, tax, retirement, and estate planning.

Continuing Education Units: 5.2
Instructor: Mike Milligan, CFP
Tuition: $1,099.00

October 7 – December 16, 2026
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Registration for Capstone: Financial Plan Development Course for this cohort opens on October 10, 2025.

Students in the 2024-2025 cohort can email Deborah Avans, Program Manager for course registration.

Eligible for ODU Undergraduate Credit

Students who are admitted and enrolled in an ODU undergraduate degree program are eligible for (5) 300-level CPD elective credits upon completion of this program.

Explore CPD Elective Credits Program

Cost & Aid

Calculating Cost
Varies

Continuing Education can accept payments for courses in several different forms. ODU's helpful staff can assist you in determining if you might qualify for any number of various funding options that could assist you with non-credit continuing educational opportunities to improve your marketability and advance your career.

Explore Continuing Education Financial Information

Refer to the Course Schedule

Student sits in a coffee shop on laptop while listening in to a lecture
Refund Policy

To withdraw from a course you must send a request in writing to davans@odu.edu (7) days prior the start date of the course. Failure to attend a course does not constitute withdrawal. Course registration fees, less a $100 processing fee will be refunded via the original form of payment. There are no refunds once the class has begun. Late withdrawals of six (6) days or less before the class begins, will result in the student being charged the $100 processing fee, as well as charges for books and/or other course material fees.

Careers in Financial Planning

Our graduates pursue roles as certified financial planners, wealth advisors, investment analysts, and estate planning specialists, helping clients achieve their financial goals.

Financial Risk Specialists
Growth
8.4%
Median Salary
$106,090
Personal Financial Advisors
Growth
17.1%
Median Salary
$99,580
Financial and Investment Analysts
Growth
9.5%
Median Salary
$99,010
Budget Analysts
Growth
3.9%
Median Salary
$84,940
Tax Preparers
Growth
4.2%
Median Salary
$49,010
Contact Continuing Education
Phone: 757-683-5650
Email: cepd@odu.edu
Address: 1105 Student Success Center, Norfolk, VA 23529