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Undergraduate Certificate inFinancial Planning

Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Develop a range of critical financial planning strategies and successfully satisfy the entire educational course work requirement to sit for the CFP exam with this online undergraduate certificate program.

100% Online

Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.

Apply by December 22 to start January 13

18 Credits$632/$678 per credit

Gain a Strong Foundation in the Financial and Investment Planning Market

  • Develop financial planning, including cash budgets, credit purchases, investments, and insurance. 

  • Help people maximize their savings and strengthen their financial security.

  • Use tax and investment data to advise clients and develop financial plans.

  • Analyze personal financial situations and evaluate clients’ objectives, needs, and values to develop an appropriate strategy within the financial plan.

Designed to prepare you for career success in the quickly growing field of financial planning, the courses in this program can teach you a broad range of personal financial planning concepts in insurance and income tax planning, retirement and estate planning, and investment strategies.

You may be able to apply some of the credits you earn in this program toward the requirements for a bachelor's degree from World Campus.

Prescribed Courses (18 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Study of income determination concepts for individuals and corporations, impact of taxation on decisions, elementary research techniques, and ethical standards.

    • Prerequisite

      ACCTG 211 or FIN 301

    • FIN 301 Prerequisites

      (ENGL 15 or ENGL 30 or ESL 15 or ENGL 137H or CAS 137H) and ACCTG 211 and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (SCM 200 or STAT 200)

  • 3
    credits

    Developing financial plans including cash budgets, credit purchases, investments, and insurance.

    • Note

      Third-semester standing or permission of instructor.

  • 3
    credits

    Investment and risk, types of security investments, sources of investment information, the broker, the stock market, portfolio management.

    • Prerequisite

      FIN 301

    • FIN 301 Prerequisites

      (ENGL 15 or ENGL 30 or ESL 15 or ENGL 137H or CAS 137H) and ACCTG 211 and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (SCM 200 or STAT 200)

  • 3
    credits

    Liquidity planning, titling and transfer of property, trusts, federal unified tax system, gifting, incapacity planning, legal documents.

    • Prerequisite

      FIN 330 and ACCTG 310 or ACCTG 405

  • 3
    credits

    Retirement planning: qualified and non-qualified plans, characteristics, provisions, regulations administration, application approach with case studies.

  • 3
    credits

    Critical thinking and decision-making about personal financial planning topics in the context of the financial planning process.

    • Prerequisite

      completion of first 15 credits of the certificate curriculum

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Job Titles Related to This Degree

This certificate covers a variety of both personal and professional financial situations. As a financial planning professional, you can expect to apply your knowledge to a range of fields, including:

  • investment brokerage
  • insurance
  • banking
  • accounting
  • law

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State undergraduate certificate?

Apply by December 22 to start January 13. How to Apply 

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.

Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?If you have 59 or fewer creditsIf you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer$632 per credit$678 per credit
12–19$7,678 per semester$8,288 per semester

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?If you have 59 or fewer creditsIf you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer$638 per credit$685 per credit
12–19$7,755 per semester$8,371 per semester

Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19. 

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

Military Benefits

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

Who Should Apply?

The financial planning certificate is ideal if you: 

  • are seeking to obtain the CFP® certification to communicate your expertise and credibility
  • want to hone your existing skills to support your professional responsibilities
  • would like to learn how to create a solid financial future for yourself

Successful completion of the World Campus online certificate satisfies the entire education course work requirement for Certified Financial Planner (CFP®*) Certification and prepares you to take the CFP® Certification Examination.

The certificate in financial planning is a Board-Registered Program with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP® Board). The education and examination components are two of the core prerequisites to obtain full CFP® certification.

*Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the mark CFP®, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Certificate in One to Two Years

  • Take 2 courses each semester 

To Finish Your Certificate Two or More Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

Timelines may vary based on course availability.

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

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Apply by December 22 to start January 13

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by December 22 to start January 13

  • Summer Deadline

    Apply by May 5 to start May 11

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by August 17, 2025, to start August 25, 2025

Steps to Apply

  1. To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate, or have completed your GED. Additionally, several of the required courses have prerequisites that need to be completed prior to admission. The six courses in the financial planning certificate program must be taken through World Campus.

    Unofficial transcript(s) and course descriptions from previous institution(s) are required for evaluation.

  2. 2. Complete the application.

    Undergraduate Certificate Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, email [email protected] or call 814-865-1146.

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Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

For questions about admissions and applications, please contact World Campus Central:

World Campus Central
Phone: 814-865-1146
[email protected]

Taught by experienced Penn State faculty who hold professional designations such as CFP®, CFA, CPA, or attorney, along with other professional licenses in insurance and securities, this program will provide the most up-to-date instruction in the full range of financial planning topics.

Faculty

  • Jeff Coy

    • Ph.D., Finance, Florida Atlantic University
    • MBA, University of North Florida
    • B.S., University of North Florida

    Dr. Jeff Coy is an assistant professor of finance in the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Behrend. He brings more than 10 years of teaching experience in the areas of corporate finance, international finance, investments, and portfolio analysis. Dr. Coy's published research is focused on the areas of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate exchange rate sensitivity, and leveraged buyouts. His current research focuses on corporate diversification, short interest in acquisition targets, and the risk and leverage dynamics of the firm around the exercise of real options.

  • Hongrui (Harry) Feng

    • Ph.D., Finance, Oklahoma State University
    • M.S., Quantitative and Computational Finance, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
    • B.S., Finance, Zhejiang University

    Dr. Harry Feng, an assistant professor of finance, worked in financial service companies for several years. He teaches financial management, financial modeling, corporate finance, and energy finance courses. His research interests are agency problems and empirical asset pricing.

  • Greg Filbeck, CFA, FRM, CAIA, CIPM, PRM

    • DBA, Finance, University of Kentucky
    • M.S., Applied Statistics, Penn State
    • B.S., Engineering Physics, Murray State University

    Dr. Greg Filbeck holds the Samuel P. Black III Professor of Finance and Risk Management at Penn State Behrend and serves as director of the Black School of Business. Dr. Filbeck has authored or edited nine books and published more than 90 refereed academic journal articles. He has taught courses in corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, and derivatives.

  • Tim Krause

    • Ph. D., Financial Economics, University of Texas at San Antonio
    • MBA, Finance, Georgetown University
    • A.B., Government, Georgetown University

    Prior to his career in academia, Dr. Tim Krause spent twenty years in the financial services industry as an investment professional and held senior management positions. He is the director of the Intrieri Family Student Managed Fund at the Black School of Business, a student-run investment fund. He teaches Portfolio Management and Analysis, Advanced Energy Finance, Derivative Securities, and Fixed Income Securities. Dr. Krause's research and teaching interests include investments, derivatives, risk management, and financial institutions and markets.

  • Bob Patterson

    • MBA, Penn State
    • B.S., Accounting, Penn State

    Bob Patterson is a lecturer in accounting and has also taught courses in statistics, finance, and operations. He is a CPA who maintains an active practice in individual income taxes. He also serves as an adviser for the Mu Pi chapter of the international fraternity Delta Sigma Pi and has received the Silver Helmet Award for 25 years of service to the chapter. He is currently the longest-serving Delta Sigma Pi chapter adviser in the country.

  • Eric Robbins

    • MBA, Gannon University
    • B.S., Accounting, Asbury University

    Eric Robbins has spent his entire career working with the stock market and managing the invested assets and the retirement income needs of retirees. In 2010, he began teaching corporate finance at Penn State Behrend while still working full-time in wealth management, accepting a full-time teaching position in 2013. He is also a Certified Financial Planner and a CFA charterholder, and he continues to consult periodically with clients about their financial needs.

  • Xin (Jessica) Zhao

    • Ph.D., Finance, State University of New York at Buffalo
    • M.A., International Trade, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
    • B.A., English, Tianjin University for Science and Technology

    Dr. Xin (Jessica) Zhao received her Ph.D. in finance at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Zhao teaches international finance and corporate finance for both undergraduate and graduate students as a professor at Penn State Behrend. Dr. Zhao's research interests include market microstructure, event studies, financial markets, and asset pricing. Her research in these areas has been published in both academic and practitioner journals. Dr. Zhao has working experience in Da Hua CPA and China Petrochemical Corporation prior to joining Penn State Behrend.

Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State undergraduate certificate?

Apply by December 22 to start January 13. How to Apply 

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