Professional Designations and Degrees Frequently Asked Questions 

 

If you’re considering enrolling in one of our professional designations programs or Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning program, here you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions. You can also contact us to get your questions answered. 

If you’re a student who is currently enrolled in one of our programs and have a question not answered in our FAQ, visit our academic policies page.  

Professional Designations Programs

There are no degree or credential prerequisites needed in order to pursue any of our professional designations.

However, some designation programs are designed specifically for more advanced advisors. These more advanced programs include the APMA®, AWMA®, and CSRIC™. While anyone can enroll in these programs, we discourage new or inexperienced advisors from pursuing those credentials.
 
Please refer to this policy for details about refunds related to the College's professional designation programs.
 

 

 

For all designation programs except the Sports & Entertainment (SE) Supplemental Education for the AWMA® program
Students in all professional designation programs except the Sports & Entertainment (SE) Supplemental Education for the AWMA® Program have 120 days from the date they are provided online access to complete a designation program (including testing and passing the Final Exam). 
  • Students who enroll in Live Online classes will receive online access 20 days prior to the first class date.
  • Students who enroll in OnDemand classes will receive online access immediately after they enroll.

If you need to extend your program, extensions of up to 60 days are available at a fee.  Extensions requests must be received on or before the fourteenth day following the course end date. Fees are non-refundable.

Sports & Entertainment (SE) Supplemental Education for the AWMA® program

Students have 30 days from the date they are provided online access to complete the program (including testing and passing the Final Exam). 

If you need to extend your program, extensions of up to 60 days are available at a fee.  Extensions requests must be received on or before the fourteenth day following the course end date. Fees are non-refundable.

 

 

 

A score of 70% or better is required to pass all professional designation final exams.

Students who do not pass the final exam on the first attempt will be granted a second and FINAL attempt to earn a score of 70% or higher. Students who pass the final exam on their first attempt will not be permitted a second final exam attempt. 

Students who do not earn a minimum of 70% after the allotted number of final exam attempts will be required to re-enroll in the professional designation course, pursuant to the Professional Designation Re-Enrollment Policy.

Course extensions may be available for a fee. If available, students must request the extension on or before the fourteenth day following the course end date. Fees are non-refundable. If your course offering is eligible for an extension, the following fee(s) will apply:

● 30-day extension for $50.00 (maximum of 2 extensions per course), OR

● 60-day extension for $100.00 (maximum of 1 extension per course)

Contact Student Services at 800-237-9990, option #2 for more information and eligibility.

You may not use a calculator with alpha-programmable keys during any examination. Refer to our Approved Calculator List.

The College's certification marks may only be used by those individuals specifically authorized by the College. Use of the College's certification marks denote professionals who have successfully completed the requirements of the program and are currently complying with the Standards of Professional Conduct and ongoing renewal requirements.

If you successfully completed the academic requirements of the program and are authorized to use the applicable trademarks or registered service marks for professional designation, please refer to our Professional Designations Marks Usage Guidelines.

Professional designations holders must renew their designations every two years via a fee, an attestation statement, and a CE requirement. A complete list of our renewal policies and procedures can be found here.

As the only financial education provider with stackable credentials across accredited professional designations, CFP® certification and a Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning, College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company helps empower advisors for their current career stages while earning credit toward their next credential.

Graduates of the:

  • AAMS®, FPQP® and WMSSM designation programs receive exemption from course FP511 in the College's CFP® certification education program but no course credit.
  • APMA® , AWMA® and SE-AWMASM designation programs receive credit for course FP513 in the College's CFP® certification education program.
  • CRPC® designation program receive credit for course FP515 in the College's CFP® certification education program.



 

As the only financial education provider with stackable credentials across accredited professional designations, CFP® certification and a Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning, College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company helps empower advisors for their current career stages while earning credit toward their next credential.

Graduates of the following professional designations earn direct credit for one elective course in the College’s Master of Science Degree in Personal Financial Planning:
  • ABFPSM 
  • APMA® 
  • AWMA® 
  • CRPC®
  • CRPS®
  • CSRIC®


Students who have completed coursework outside of their College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company program may be eligible to apply their education to their program with the College. Official documentation is required. The Credit for Prior Learning Policy is applicable to all programs within the College.

Master of Science Degrees

Students who have completed coursework outside of their College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company program may be eligible to apply their education to their program with the College. Official documentation is required. The Credit for Prior Learning Policy is applicable to all programs within the College.

As the only financial education provider with stackable credentials across accredited professional designations, CFP® certification and a Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning, College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company helps empower advisors for their current career stages while earning credit toward their next credential.

Graduates of the following professional designations earn direct credit for one elective course in the College’s Master of Science Degree in Personal Financial Planning:
  • ABFPSM 
  • APMA® 
  • AWMA® 
  • CRPC®
  • CRPS®
  • CSRIC®


The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company offers the following two Master of Science degree programs:
  • Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning (MS-PFP) 
  • Master of Science in Financial Analysis (MSFA)

A master’s degree program must be completed within 5 years of being accepted into the program. 

Please note: Students accepted into a Master of Science degree program must enroll and continue in a course beyond the add/drop period within six months of being accepted into the program. Failure to enroll and continue in a course beyond the add/drop period within six months of acceptance may result in dismissal from the program.
The maximum time limit for degree completion is 5 years from the date of acceptance.
 
Please note: If you have verifiable extenuating circumstances, you may petition for a program extension (not to exceed one year) prior to being dismissed for failure to complete the program within the maximum time frame allowed. The appeal must be made in writing prior to dismissal and include a plan for successful completion of the remaining degree requirements. Program extension petitions must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@cffp.edu.
 
For additional details on program policies, please review the College Catalog.
 
You may not use a calculator with alpha-programmable keys during any examination. Refer to our Approved Calculator List.

Need a Little Guidance?

Connect with our student support teams for further assistance.

 

1.800.237.9990

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