June 2010
New! Program Pathways Chart
Click here to view all available CPFP program pathways in an easy-to-understand format.
Note from the Program Director
As the spring months turn into a rather warm summer, SMU CPFP students continue to blossom and grow in their understanding of financial planning.
With the addition of an intensive CPFP program at SMU-in-Plano, students now have the choice of three paths to obtain a Certificate in Financial Planning from SMU and qualify to take the CFP Certification Examination. The main campus offers the “traditional path” where students take our seven-course program in successive quarters. Also on the main campus, “pacesetter path” offers two courses over three semesters, hosting Tax as a single semester course offering, allowing students to finish the program in just under a year. The new, intensive program at SMU-in-Plano holds class on Tuesday night and every other Saturday, allowing students to obtain their certificate in less than nine months; it's now the fastest path in the DFW Metroplex to obtain a Certificate in Financial Planning and sit for the certification exam.
I recently attended a Financial Planning Association meeting and was overwhelmed by the number of SMU students who I saw in attendance. Many were graduates and CFP certificants, but I also was greeted by a great number of current students who have joined the FPA. Our program and the FPA work closely together to help our students learn more about the profession. We encourage our students to participate in the FPA pro bono efforts in the community to gain practical financial planning experience. Participation also offers our students the opportunity to meet CFP certificants and become acquainted with the many different practice models. The FPA also offers mentoring programs and job fairs.
At this writing, our graduates are receiving the results of the March CFP Exam. I am confident the tradition of our graduates greatly exceeding the national pass rate will continue. When I began teaching in the SMU program five years ago, the “family” was growing rapidly. With this round of test takers, our family is becoming a community as we exceed 100 graduates who have become CFP certficants. Cheers to our growth!—Tom Ricks, CFP®
SMU Discount for Kaplan
Schweser Live and Online Review
• Lowest rate guaranteed for SMU students.
• Use existing Kaplan texts.
• Free exchange of outdated texts.
• Choose from online- or classroom-based review.
• Learn more.
Corporate Partnership
SMU has developed a corporate partnership program that provides
significant tuition discounts for employers who are committed to excellence.
For more information, and to learn about corporate partner benefits,
click here.
Save Your Seat (and $) with an Early Registration Discount
Be sure to enroll at least two weeks in advance and get an early
registration discount – a savings of $100! Enroll as
soon as registration opens (approximately 8-10 weeks before each term
begins) and at least two weeks in advance to save your seat and to save
on course fees.
Pacesetter Path: Less Time, Less Tuition
Complete the seven-course SMU program on the main campus in Dallas
in fewer than 12 months and save over $395 each quarter!
For more information, click
here.
Textbook Reminder
The SMU Certificate Program in Financial Planning utilizes two publishers for
course texts: National Underwriters (NU) and Kaplan Financial (formerly
Bisys/Dalton). Each SMU course requires two books – a textbook from NU
and a corresponding supplement from the multivolume Kaplan Financial
review series.* All SMU CPFP course texts are available directly from
the publisher. To guarantee delivery before classes start, order your textbooks
at least a week in advance. Read
for more information on CPFP textbooks.
*The final course in the SMU Program, Financial Planning Strategies & Case Studies (Capstone), also requires two books, but both are from Kaplan Financial.
Only
3% of Financial Planners are Certified
"Now, hands down, the Certified Financial Planner™ certification
is the preferred designation. Only 3 percent of financial planners are
Certified Financial Planner™ professionals. It's no guarantee, but
they've crossed a threshold 97 percent haven't."
—John Austin, Boston Herald, October 21, 2008
Cross the Threshold. Start the SMU Program Now.
Fall cohort forming now. For more information, click here.
Calendar
Summer Quarter Begins
July 5
Entering Fall Cohort
Information Session
August 24, September 14, October 12 (Plano)
Registration Deadline for the November CFP® Certification
Examination
October 5
Kaplan Schweser Review
Dallas Live Review begins
October 14. Special discounts for SMU students!
What
Our Students Are Saying …
“My recommendation to people wanting to get the CFP® designation
is to choose a quality program such as SMU’s CPFP program…”
—M.
Adam Alligood
Contact Us
cpfp@smu.edu or 214-SMU-CPFP
(214-768-2737)
SMU will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status. SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. 10043.610
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