CFP Board Approves Business College’s Personal Financial Planning Major as Registered Program

Constant Hall, home of the College of Business and Public Administration

The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards has approved the personal financial planning major in the College of Business and Public Administration at Old Dominion University as a registered program, meeting the educational requirements students require to take the CFP exam.

The CFP certification identifies to the public those individuals who have passed a rigorous set of examinations, met strict professional standards and agreed to adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients.

"This program provides a great opportunity for students to learn the needed skills to participate in a field that is expected to grow by 41 percent by 2016, according to Money magazine and Payscale.com," said Bruce Rubin, associate professor of finance at ODU.

"Our financial lives have changed dramatically. We have transitioned from a world of defined benefit retirement plans, escalating costs of education and medical care and increasing longevity. These create compelling reasons for the need to develop professionals in financial planning who are able to give sound advice. There is demand for individuals with a financial planning background as independent financial planners in the insurance, stock brokerage and human resource professions."

To major in personal financial planning, a student must complete coursework in finance, insurance, employee benefits, taxes, estate planning and investments, and take a capstone course that integrates the various aspects of financial planning. The first graduates are expected in December 2014. Becoming a CFP is an ideal career path for those who like to solve financial problems, help people meet their financial goals and serve as trusted advisers, counselors and coaches.