How Creighton helps financial professionals become CFP® certified
The Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation is widely regarded as a gold standard in the financial planning profession. Thus, a strong CFP® education matters. And who delivers it matters even more.
Creighton University is a recognized leader in financial planning education, offering undergraduate, graduate and now professional certification pathways. For aspiring CFP® professionals, Creighton’s new CFP® certification program combines flexibility with the academic rigor of a nationally respected institution.
At the heart of the CFP® pathway are the “4 E’s”—Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics—which prepare practitioners for the realities of knowledgeably advising clients. Together, they form a rigorous, integrated standard.
CFP® Education requirement: building a strong financial planning foundation
The education requirement encompasses a bachelor’s degree and completion of the CFP® Board-approved coursework. It ensures that CFP® candidates possess a comprehensive, standardized body of knowledge across the 72 domains of financial planning, including investments, tax planning, retirement, insurance, estate planning and professional conduct. This coursework is not merely academic; it is designed to mirror real-world decision-making and client scenarios.
According to Kenneth M. Washer, DBA, CFA, CFP®, professor of finance at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business and director of financial planning for Creighton’s new CFP® certification program, completing the education requirement is the first major milestone on the path to certification.
“Students must successfully complete all four E’s to achieve the CFP® designation,” he notes. “Our program allows them to complete the education requirement.”
Creighton’s approach stands out in a crowded marketplace. Delivered through a collaboration between the Heider College of Business and the College of Professional and Continuing Education, the program is fully online and self-paced yet firmly grounded in academic rigor. Courses are built and taught by CFP®-credentialed faculty who are active leaders in the field, with the estate planning course taught by a practicing attorney. This blend of theory and applied expertise helps learners connect concepts directly to practice.
CFP® Examination requirement: Demonstrating mastery of financial planning concepts
The CFP® exam is widely known for its depth and difficulty. It extends beyond testing candidates’ ability to recall information, requiring them to synthesize knowledge across multiple disciplines and applying it to complex client situations. While Creighton does not administer the exam itself, it offers a strong educational foundation that is critical for test preparation.
Programs with well-structured curricula, experienced faculty and a clear alignment to CFP® Board learning objectives, like Creighton’s program, give candidates a measurable advantage when it comes time to sit for the exam.
CFP® Experience requirement: translating education into real-world practice
The experience requirement ensures that CFP® professionals have hands-on exposure to financial planning before earning the designation. Candidates may qualify through either 6,000 hours of relevant professional experience or 4,000 hours through a structured apprenticeship pathway.
While this requirement is governed entirely by the CFP® Board, Professor Washer encourages prospective candidates to view education and experience as complementary. Classroom learning builds the framework; professional experience brings it to life.
CFP® Ethics requirement: upholding fiduciary standards and client trust
Finally, the ethics requirement underscores the profession’s fiduciary responsibility. CFP® professionals must commit to the CFP® Board’s strict Code of Ethics designed to protect clients and maintain public trust, an essential component of long-term credibility in the field.
Prepare for CFP® certification with confidence. Learn more about Creighton’s CFP® education program, built by credentialed faculty and designed for working professionals.