February 2011

Reminder: Spring quarter courses and the next Dallas cohort begin on the main campus the week of April 4.

Program Pathways

Click here to view all available CPFP program pathways in an easy-to-understand format.

Note from the Program Director

One of the benefits of being the Program Director is having the opportunity to talk with many students and watch as they progress through our program and earn a Certificate in Financial Planning from SMU. Prospective students often have questions about which of the various pacing options is best for them and many ask, “What difference will the program will make in my life?”.

As to pacing, the SMU Program offers three tracks. The traditional track of one course a semester allows a student to earn a certificate in approximately 21 months. The pacesetter track is structured for two courses a semester leading to completion of the program in 12 months. The traditional and pacesetter tracks are offered on our main campus with entry dates in the spring and fall semesters. SMU also offers an intensive, 9-month program for those in the industry which begins each January at our Plano campus.

Our students are varied! Many are young and many have great life experience. Some have careers in the financial services industry; others are seeking a change and want to take control of their own financial destiny. Upon completion of our program, students have met the educational requirements of the CFP Board and are eligible to sit for the CFP Certification Examination.

The program offers new and financial services veterans a deeper understanding of their current field of practice and broadens their horizons as to how other financial planning disciplines all tie together. And one of the strengths of this program is that in-person instruction is hosted at an advanced level that gives both depth of understanding in the disciplines and continuity in the financial planning process.

Yes, the program will make a difference in your life. All our students learn that while we talk a lot about money and assets, financial planning is really about people’s lives. Today we are all faced with many challenges and the financial landscape is changing at an ever increasing pace. Complexity is multiplied with each new law and regulation issued, and with each new sunrise, globalization becomes more of a reality. People need advice that is focused on their needs, wishes and dreams.

Come and join a program that will make a difference in your life and the lives of those you help not only now but into the future.

—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.

Spring cohort forming now. For more information, click here.

Calendar

Spring Quarter Begins
April 4 on the main campus

Entering Cohort Information Session
March 1 and March 15

Registration Deadline for the July CFP® Certification Examination
June 7

Kaplan Schweser Review
Dallas Live Review begins June 9. Special discounts for SMU students!

What Our Students Are Saying …
“…I passed!! I felt prepared going into the exam… I feel extremely fortunate to have had you as an instructor.”
—D. O’Connell

Contact Us
cpfp@smu.edu or 214-SMU-CPFP (214-768-2737)

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