ETFs & Portfolio Construction Certificate Program

ETFs & Portfolio Construction Package
$395.00

We designed the ETFs & Portfolio Construction certificate program to provide financial advisors with the right tools, education, and resources to have better conversations about exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with their clients. ETF assets continue to grow exponentially around the globe, with total assets under management for ETFs and other exchange-traded products (ETPs) growing from $140 billion in 2010 to $11.5 trillion in 2023.*  

This online program provides an understanding of ETFs and how they can be used to develop a broad range of diversified investment portfolios that help meet client needs. You will learn about the different types of ETFs available, what helps make ETFs tax efficient, how new shares of ETFs are created, how ETFs can be used in the context of an overall portfolio, and how to construct a portfolio using ETFs that could meet client needs. The program includes hypothetical case studies providing examples of how ETFs can be incorporated in a client portfolio.

The ETFs & Portfolio Construction certificate program was developed in collaboration with iShares® by BlackRock, one of the largest global asset managers and a leading provider of ETFs.

Delivered 100% online, the self-study program covers the following topics:

  • Overview of the ETF market
  • Introduction to ETFs
  • ETF liquidity and trading
  • ETFs: New ways of investing
  • Choosing the right ETF
  • Portfolio construction and management

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast ETFs to other pooled investment vehicles such as mutual funds
  • Evaluate the use of ETFs in active and passive investment strategies
  • Consider ETF investments across a broad range of asset classes
  • Construct a portfolio using ETFs to pursue client needs

Completion of the ETFs & Portfolio Construction certificate program can also help you fulfill continuing education (CE) requirements:

  • If you are a CFP® professional, the program qualifies for 5 CE hours for CFP® certification renewal
  • If you currently hold a professional designation from the College, the program fulfills 6 CE credits as part of the renewal of your current designation.

Complete your self-study program when it fits into your schedule

The program is delivered on demand. Your online learning platform will guide you through all your course-related activities, including reading assignments, recorded video lectures and final exam. Each module takes approximately 1 hour to complete for an overall estimated completion time of about 6 hours. 

Have Questions? Make an Appointment

Our enrollment team is here to help you choose the program that's right for you. We'll explain your options and support you through the enrollment process.

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Frequently Asked Questions About ETFs & Portfolio Construction Program

The program is designed for financial advisors who seek to enhance their understanding of exchange-traded funds in the context of a whole portfolio and be able to confidently address investor interest in ETFs and integrate them into investment strategies to pursue client needs.  
The ETFs program is an open enrollment certificate program and does not have any academic prerequisites required for admission. 
No. The ETFs & Portfolio Construction program is a certificate program, whereby a certificate of completion is issued upon successful program completion. The program does not award a professional certification (i.e., a credential that demonstrates the holder’s specialized knowledge, skills, and experience). Completion of this course does not award academic credits. The certificate cannot be applied for graduate credit to other academic programs.  
Students have 120 days from the date they are provided online access to complete the course. Students will receive online access immediately after they enroll.

Interested in Other Certificate Programs?

The College offers other certificate programs to help financial professionals like you upskill and increase your knowledge to better serve clients.

Accredited Investment Fiduciary

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Financial Advising Accelerator

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The ETFs & Portfolio Construction program is a certificate program, whereby a certificate of completion is issued upon successful program completion. The program does not award a professional certification (i.e., a credential that demonstrates the holder’s specialized knowledge, skills, and experience). 

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. Similarly, the material does not constitute, and should not be relied on as, legal, regulatory, accounting, tax, investment, trading or other advice. Any financial, tax, or legal information contained herein is included for informational purposes only.

iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. BlackRock is not affiliated with Kaplan or The College for Financial Planning

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification mark CFP® in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

*iShares Global Business Intelligence (GBI) as of 12/31/2023