Why ODU for Financial Planning?

Our Executive Certificate in Financial Planning provides a flexible, high‑quality pathway to begin or advance your career in financial planning. This CFP® Board Registered Program delivers the knowledge and practical skills needed to meet the educational requirement for the CFP® Certification Examination and take the next step toward certification.

Designed for working professionals, this seven‑course program combines academic rigor with real‑world application. You’ll learn from experienced instructors in a structured, supportive environment while building a strong foundation across all major CFP® Board Principal Knowledge Topics, including:

  • 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 successful completion, you will earn an ODU Certificate of Completion and be prepared to pursue CFP® certification and career opportunities across the financial services industry.

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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.

Program Information

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

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

Access all course materials online and study from anywhere. The program features live, synchronous Zoom sessions that allow you to engage with expert instructors and classmates in real time. For added flexibility, all sessions are recorded and available for review throughout the program.

This certificate is ideal for:

  • Financial professionals—including CPAs, CFAs, attorneys, brokers, trust officers, and insurance agents
  • Individuals working in or entering the financial services industry
  • Career changers seeking a structured pathway into financial planning

A bachelor's degree is not required to enroll in the program. However, a bachelor's degree (in any discipline) is required by the CFP Board to obtain CFP® certification.

Tuition includes Money Education e-books—providing a complete, integrated learning experience with no additional textbook costs.

Money Education materials are widely used in CFP® Board Registered Programs and are designed to support exam preparation and professional practice. Features include:

  • CFP® Board‑aligned, exam-focused content
  • Interactive digital format with searchable text and note‑taking tools
  • 24/7 online access across devices
  • Built‑in practice questions and quizzes to reinforce learning
  • Continuous updates reflecting current tax law, regulatory changes, and planning strategies

These materials complement instructor-led instruction and help you study more efficiently and effectively.

Save $50 per course when you enroll in two or more courses at the same time (discount automatically applied during checkout). Bundle the complete program and receive the best value while completing the full CFP® education sequence.

Take advantage of a flexible payment plan when you register for three or more courses at the same time. Spread tuition costs over the duration of the program with manageable payments that align with the course schedule, making it easier to work toward your CFP certification and career goals.

How the Payment Plan Works:

  1. Register for 3 or more courses at one time.
  2. Make an initial down payment.
  3. Pay the remaining balance in installments throughout the program.
  4. Payment due dates coincide with the start of upcoming courses, making it easier to budget as you progress through the curriculum.

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

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

Access all course materials online and study from anywhere. The program features live, synchronous Zoom sessions that allow you to engage with expert instructors and classmates in real time. For added flexibility, all sessions are recorded and available for review throughout the program.

This certificate is ideal for:

  • Financial professionals—including CPAs, CFAs, attorneys, brokers, trust officers, and insurance agents
  • Individuals working in or entering the financial services industry
  • Career changers seeking a structured pathway into financial planning

A bachelor's degree is not required to enroll in the program. However, a bachelor's degree (in any discipline) is required by the CFP Board to obtain CFP® certification.

Tuition includes Money Education e-books—providing a complete, integrated learning experience with no additional textbook costs.

Money Education materials are widely used in CFP® Board Registered Programs and are designed to support exam preparation and professional practice. Features include:

  • CFP® Board‑aligned, exam-focused content
  • Interactive digital format with searchable text and note‑taking tools
  • 24/7 online access across devices
  • Built‑in practice questions and quizzes to reinforce learning
  • Continuous updates reflecting current tax law, regulatory changes, and planning strategies

These materials complement instructor-led instruction and help you study more efficiently and effectively.

Save $50 per course when you enroll in two or more courses at the same time (discount automatically applied during checkout). Bundle the complete program and receive the best value while completing the full CFP® education sequence.

Take advantage of a flexible payment plan when you register for three or more courses at the same time. Spread tuition costs over the duration of the program with manageable payments that align with the course schedule, making it easier to work toward your CFP certification and career goals.

How the Payment Plan Works:

  1. Register for 3 or more courses at one time.
  2. Make an initial down payment.
  3. Pay the remaining balance in installments throughout the program.
  4. Payment due dates coincide with the start of upcoming courses, making it easier to budget as you progress through the curriculum.

Course Schedule

Download full 2027–2028 course schedule (PDF)

2027–2028 Cohort Schedule
 

Course DetailsCourse Dates

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

This course introduces the fundamentals of financial planning, covering key areas such professional ethics, regulatory standards, behavioral finance, communication, counseling techniques for effective client interaction, and essential concepts like time value of money, insurance, and employee benefits.

Continuing Education Units: 3.12
Instructor: Mike Milligan, CFP
Tuition: $899.00

January 27 – March 3, 2027
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Register for General Financial Principles, Professional Conduct, and Regulation

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 17 – May 5, 2027
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Register for Retirement Savings and Income Planning

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 19 – July 7, 2027
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Register for Tax Planning

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 21 – September 8, 2027
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Register for Estate Planning

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: Dennis Harvey, MBA, MSHRM, ARM, CPCU, CIC, CLTC, CRPC
Tuition: $999.00

September 22 – November 17, 2027*
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Register for Risk Management, Insurance, and Employee Benefits Planning

*No class 10/30/2027 Fall Break)

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 12 – March 1, 2028
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Register for Investment Planning

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

March 15 – May 17, 2028
Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Register for Capstone: Financial Plan Development

Eligible for ODU Undergraduate Credit

Students who are admitted and enrolled in an ODU undergraduate degree program are eligible for five (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 seven (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