{"id":597,"date":"2014-07-15T15:17:11","date_gmt":"2014-07-15T15:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/agrilife.org\/financialplanning\/?page_id=597"},"modified":"2016-04-01T20:10:48","modified_gmt":"2016-04-01T20:10:48","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/college.agrilife.org\/financial-planning\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

What exactly does a Financial Planner do?<\/strong><\/span>
\nFinancial planners are trained to assess the budgets, cash flow, and risks of individuals and families, and to advise regarding the management of their investment portfolios. Evaluations are made regarding retirement, investments, business planning, estate planning, and tax planning. A written analysis and recommendations are typically provided.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here a financial planner’s point of view, here<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

What is the CFP\u00ae<\/sup> designation and why is it important?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM<\/sup> certification is the best-known certification in the financial planning community. It recognizes that the holder has met rigorous requirements and communicates expertise and credibility. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here a financial planner’s point of view, here<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

How can becoming a CFP\u00ae<\/sup> practitioner help my career?<\/strong><\/span>
\nIn order to be qualified as a CFP\u00ae<\/sup> professional and eligible to use the trademark after your name, you must meet stringent criteria established by CFP\u00ae<\/sup> Board of Standards Inc. The standards of ethics, education and experience place this as a unique certification. Financial institutions are eager to employ people bearing this mark. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here a financial planner’s point of view, here<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

How do I become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER?<\/strong><\/span>
\nTo become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM<\/sup>, you are required to meet the four E\u2019s: Education, Examination, Experience, Ethics. Completing the education component by enrolling in a board registered program is one step in the CFP\u00ae<\/sup> certification process.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is required that anyone planning to sit for the CFP Certification Examination complete a registered program, request a transcript review, or be eligible to challenge the examination by virtue of academic or professional credentials. For more information regarding these categories, visit the CFP Board’s website at http:\/\/cfp.net<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will this program qualify me to sit for the CFP\u00ae<\/sup> Certification Examination?<\/strong><\/span>
\nYes. Texas A&M University\u2019s Financial Planning Program is registered with CFP Board of Standards as an approved educational program to qualify students to sit for the CFP\u00ae<\/sup> Certification Examination. To learn more about the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER\u2122<\/sup> certification, visit the CFP Board website at http:\/\/cfp.net<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What courses are offered in the Financial Planning curriculum?<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe six courses in the program include: Financial Planning for Professionals, Investment Planning, Insurance and Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Financial Planning Capstone.<\/span><\/p>\n

We recommend taking the Financial Planning for Professionals course first and then the Financial Planning Capstone course last. The Financial Planning Capstone course incorporates materials from the other five courses and prepares you to develop real-life financial plans.<\/span><\/p>\n

What enrollment options are available?<\/strong><\/span>
\nOur program has two tracks: 1) Academic credit and 2) Extended Learning credit. Courses in both tracks are offered fully online. If you are interested in taking courses for academic credit, you will need to be officially admitted and enrolled as a student at Texas A&M University. If you are an official student at Texas A&M University, you have the option of taking the courses for academic credit or for extended learning credit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are the courses eligible for Texas A&M University academic credit toward degrees?<\/strong><\/span>
\nIt depends on how you enroll in the courses. If you sign up for academic credit and pay full tuition and fees, you will receive academic credit that may count toward completion of a degree, depending on the degree requirements. If you sign up for extended learning credit and pay only the extending learning course fee, you will receive extended learning credits. Courses taken for extended learning credit are not transferable to Texas A&M University as credit toward a degree program.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will courses taken for Extended Learning credit meet the CFP Board of Standards education requirement?<\/strong><\/span>
\nYes. Texas A&M University\u2019s Financial Planning Program is registered with CFP Board of Standards as an approved educational program to qualify students to sit for the CFP\u00ae<\/sup> Certification Examination. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is strongly recommended that students have a four-year degree, or be in the process of completing a four-year degree, before enrolling in the program for Extended Learning credit. The CFP Board requires individuals to have earned a bachelor’s degree (or higher) prior to being allowed to use the CFP credentials. Please visit http:\/\/cfp.net<\/a> to learn more about the education requirements that are part of the CFP\u00ae<\/sup> certification process.<\/span><\/p>\n

How much do the courses cost?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n