Certificate in Financial Planning

On average, students complete the certificate in two years. However, students are able to enroll in courses at their own pace and have up to three years to complete the certificate.

Yes, our program is approved by the Certified Financial Planning Board. The CFP Board reviews the curriculum annually ensuring compliance with the CFP Board curriculum requirements.

Once students complete the Certificate in Financial Planning, they will meet the education requirement needed to sit for the CFP exam.

There is no formal application for the Certificate in Financial Planning. We ask that you complete the Declaration of Candidacy form and you can enroll in available courses either online or by calling the Student Services Department at 212-998-7150.

Students are encouraged to enroll as soon as course registration opens on the website but must register no later than two weeks before the course start date.

No. The certificate in Financial Planning does not require any prerequisites. Please note that although not a prerequisite,  FP 1: Fundamentals of Financial Planning must be completed first in the sequence, and FP 7: Capstone must be completed last in the sequence.  All other courses required in the Financial Planning Certificate can be taken in any sequence.

No, students pay for each course at the time of registration. Each course is paid individually as you enroll in each course.

Financial planning involves helping people manage their finances, make smart decisions, and achieve their long-term goals. Professionals in this field, often called financial planners or financial advisors, work closely with clients to understand their unique situations and develop tailored strategies. In this role, you might:

• Assess a client’s financial situation, including income, expenses, assets, and debts.

• Create plans for saving, investing, and preparing for retirement.

• Provide guidance on taxes, insurance, and estate considerations.

• Help clients navigate major life decisions, like buying a home or planning for college.

• Build long-term relationships and adjust plans as clients’ needs evolve.

  Financial planning is both analytical and people-focused. It requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. Just as important, it’s a relationship-driven career built on trust, where you support clients through important financial milestones and life changes.

Many professionals pursue credentials like the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) certification to deepen their expertise and advance in the field.

According to the CFP Board, the median total compensation for established CFP® professionals is $185,000. For those building their careers, the median income starts at $149,000 with 5-10 years of experience, increasing to $239,000 with 10-20 years of experience, and reaching over $359,000 with more than 20 years of experience.

If you have additional questions regarding this certificate, contact sps.finance@nyu.edu.

It’s preferable if you do, but you can still declare candidacy even after taking a course. Declaring candidacy does not commit you to completing it, but you will receive a 10% discount on future NYU SPS continuing education courses.

Assuming the course is part of the certificate, yes, but only if the course was taken within an acceptable time frame. The academic department gives students a specific amount of time to complete a certificate. The start date would be adjusted to the first class to which we applied the discount.  

Yes, if a student declares candidacy for a certificate and achieves an average overall grade of B or higher in courses counting toward the certificate, they will be awarded a certificate badge upon completion, which will be shareable on their resume and LinkedIn profile.

No, continuing education courses and certificates do not qualify for financial aid. 

Most continuing education programs do not count as credit toward a degree.

Please contact sps.info@nyu.edu.

A financial planner creates a comprehensive, long-term plan for your entire financial life while a financial advisor focuses on managing specific investments.

While "financial advisor" is a broad umbrella term for professionals who help clients manage their money, a "financial planner" specifically takes a holistic, comprehensive approach to a client’s long-term financial health, often backed by the CFP® designation.

A financial planning certificate is a structured educational program that provides foundational knowledge in personal financial planning, including investing, retirement, taxes, insurance, and estate planning. The NYU SPS Certificate in Financial Planning is CFP® Board-registered, meaning it meets the education requirements to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) exam.