If you want to help people achieve financial success and become a success yourself, consider becoming a family financial planner.  As a financial planner you can make a real difference in people's lives and that can be a rewarding feeling.  So, don't delay, consider a career as a family financial planner.

1890 Family Financial Planning Fact Sheet

Permission to use granted April 2005.  Copyright 2005, North Carolina A & T State University on behalf of the 1890 FCS-DIA.  All rights reserved.  For permission to use this document, contact gnamwamba@umes.edu 

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the trademarks CFP^®, Certified Financial Planner™ and   certification marks in the U.S., which it awards to individual who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Who and what is the 1890 FCS-DIA?

• The Alliance is composed of eight 1890 Family and Consumer Sciences units, including: Alabama A&M University, Fort Valley State University, North Carolina A&T State University, South Carolina State University, Southern University and A&M College, Tennessee State University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  By joining together into an academic alliance, these universities are able to share resources, which in turn, enable them to add new programs that meet the professional skills required in today's rapidly changing world.  The first project of the Alliance is to create an online certificate program (or minor/concentration) in Family Financial Planning that will prepare students for the Certified Financial Planning (CFP) exam. 

 How is this program different from what one might find in business departments?

• Family financial planners focus on the family as the client, unlike other types of financial planners that seek banks and insurance companies as their clients.  Family financial planning involves a holistic approach incorporating all family members. This program will assist families with making overall budgeting, saving, and investment decisions.

• Enhanced career opportunities
• Personal satisfaction in knowing you have earned the profession's highest standard
• Satisfied clients who appreciate the comprehensive approach financial planning

Click here for more information!

Program Eligibility

• Completion of a bachelor degree from an accredited institution
  • Strongly recommended- prior course work in Economics, Statistics

Enrolling in the UMES Certificate Program:

• Complete UMES application ( click here to download) (UMES application $25)
  • Question #10 (Course of Study/Major)- Write: Certificate- Family Financial Planning
  • Question #11 (Off-Campus Site/Location)- Write: Online- 1890 FCS-DIA
• Complete FFP Program Application ( click here to download) and send to institutional coordinator (Nina Lyon Bennett)
• Complete FFP Program Student Acknowledgement form ( click here to download) and send to institutional coordinator (Nina Lyon Bennett)
• Upon acceptance to the University, go to the HawkWeb ( www.umes.edu ) and request creation of user (email account and password that will permit you to register for classes), upon receipt of this information ( click here for instructions)
• Enroll in the class(es) of your choice

Basic Overview

• (see "Introduction" tab)

Certification

• The program recently received CFP Board certification.  

Dissemination

• Courses are offered online only. The courses are actually taught by individuals from eight different universities through an Alliance (consortia of sorts).  However, you can enroll through UMES and your transcript will reflect all UMES courses, regardless of which of our eight universities teaches the course. Ideally 2 courses are offered each semester, except summers- when only one course is offered.  Summer courses are for 10 weeks and Fall and Spring courses are for 15 weeks.

Requirements

• Once you complete the six courses if you desire to sit for the CFP^® certification, you will need to complete an internship (which you will be responsible for locating and verifying hours worked).We are establishing an advisory board that will help us identify potential sites for students in the future; however, given that this is online and students can enroll from anywhere in the US, it is more expedient that one locate his/her own internship.
• http://www.cfp.net/become/work.asp (CFP Board work experience requirements)

Course Descriptions

• Click here for course descriptions

Costs

• The cost is $200 per credit ($600 for a 3 credit course)

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the trademarks CFP^®, Certified Financial Planner™ and     certification marks in the U.S., which it awards to individual who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

What are CFP Board-Registered Programs?

CFP Board-Registered Programs are financial planning education programs at the college or university level that meet specific criteria for educating individuals who wish to fulfill the education component for obtaining CFP® certification.

Requirements for CFP® Certification:

Students who successfully complete the UMES Family Financial Planning Certificate Registered Program will have met the prerequisite education requirement that allows them to apply for the CFP® certification exam. In addition to this requirement, passing the CFP® Certification Examination plus fulfilling experience, undergraduate degree, and ethics requirements can lead to certification by CFP Board, granting the individual the right to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame design)® certification marks. It's important that students understand the detailed requirements for CFP® certification which are described in the Guide to CFP® Certification. We strongly recommend that you visit  www.CFP.net/become for the most current information.  For more information regarding CFP Board policies and procedures, students should contact CFP Board.

Steps to Achieving CFP® Certification

• Complete an educational curriculum covering the financial planning topics
• Pass the CFP^® Certification Examination
• Hold at least a bachelor's degree
• Meet the experience requirement
• Agree to adhere to CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards and pass background check
• Pay certification fees
• Receive authorization to use the CFP^® certification marks

Click here for print-friendly flyer from CFP®.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the trademarks CFP^®, Certified Financial Planner™ and  certification marks in the U.S., which it awards to individual who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1.  What is the tuition for Alliance program courses?

• $200 per credit or $600 per 3 credit course plus applicable university fees.

2.  Where and who are the faculty teaching the Alliance courses?

• Faculty members who provide instruction in this program must carry faculty status at their home institution

3.  Will I have to apply to the other Alliance institution in order to complete the courses being offered?

• No. Students admitted to an 1890 FCS-DIA program will be accepted automatically by all other members of the Alliance for enrollment in courses that are part of the curricula of the 1890 FCS-DIA program. 

4.  When I am admitted to the program, whom do I contact for services or assistance and do I have to have my grades transferred from the other institutions?

• A student will apply and be admitted to one Alliance institution that will become that student's home institution.  All student services will be provided by the student's home institution.  Students will enroll in all Alliance courses through their home institution.
• Each institution will facilitate the exchange of information relative to courses completed and grades earned consistent with Federal regulations for the release of information.
• A common database of student and course information (ExpanSis) facilitates the transfer of student and course information between the home institution and the teaching institution.

Dr. Grace Namwamba, Chair
2101 Richard A. Henson Center
Department of Human Ecology
Princess Anne, Maryland 21853
410-651-6055 (tel) 410-651-6285 (fax)
gnamwamda@umes.edu