University of Kentucky®
Undergraduate Certificate in
Financial Planning
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- UK Online
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- Undergraduate Certificates
- Financial Planning
About this Program
The Certificate in Financial Planning at the University of Kentucky is a CFP Board-Registered Program, meaning graduates are eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Exam. Housed in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, the program has granted over 50 UK certificates and has been featured in Financial Planning magazine as a growing model for financial planning education.
The certificate consists of six courses (18 credit hours) and can be completed in as little as 12 months. All courses are available online, with select courses also offered in person.
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Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Designed For
This program is built for three audiences: current UK students from any major who want to add a marketable credential before graduation, working professionals looking to transition into financial planning or earn their CFP® certification, and career changers who want a structured, rigorous path into the profession. Whether you're a finance major, an accounting professional, an engineer exploring a second career, or a recent graduate considering your next step — the certificate meets you where you are.
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Learn more about the Financial Planning online program.
- ✔ Financial Aid Resources
- ✔ Application Deadline Reminders
- ✔ Application Assistance Resources
- ✔ Connections to Program Representatives
Earn your degree on your schedule. Online makes it possible.
Fill out this form to be sent information on the Undergraduate Certificate in Financial Planning program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
The curriculum covers the full scope of the CFP Board's Principal Knowledge Topics: financial planning fundamentals, tax planning, investment management, risk and insurance, retirement planning, estate planning, and the integration of all of these into a comprehensive financial plan. Courses are taught by faculty and practitioners with direct experience in financial planning practice.
By the end of the program, you will be able to analyze a client's complete financial picture, develop actionable planning recommendations across multiple domains, and present a comprehensive financial plan — the same capstone skill tested on the CFP® exam.
This program is registered with the CFP Board of Standards and fulfills the education requirement for CFP® certification. Please note that a bachelor's degree is required to sit for the CFP® exam.
Career Stats
Course Examples
- FIN 350 Fundamentals of Financial Planning - OR - ACC 356 Principles for the Financial Planner
- ACC 357 Tax Planning for Financial Planning Professionals - OR - ACC 407 Principles of Taxation
- FIN 358 Retirement Planning
- ACC 457 Estate Planning
- FIN 357 Investment Planning
- FIN 359 Financial Plan Development (Capstone)
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
Students do NOT need to be enrolled in a degree-bearing program to take this online certificate program. However, students must have earned 60 college credits to be admitted.
Application Requirements
Three Ways to Enroll
Current UK Undergraduate Students — This certificate carries no additional tuition or fee cost when you are registered as a full-time on-campus undergraduate student. Simply add this certificate in myGPS. You must have 60 credit hours earned or in progress to begin coursework.
Non-Degree Students — If you hold a bachelor's degree or have completed 60 or more credit hours of college coursework and want to earn the certificate for university credit and have an official UK transcript, you can apply using the "Non-degree" application and select "Certificate" as the applicant type. This pathway is ideal for professionals who want a formal academic credential — the courses appear on your University of Kentucky transcript and count as university credit. Note that the CFP Board requires a bachelor's degree to sit for the CFP® exam.
Working Professionals (Executive Education) — If you already hold a bachelor's degree, you can register through Gatton Executive Education. This pathway does not result in university credit or a transcript record — it is designed for professionals who need to fulfill the CFP Board's education requirement and are not seeking an academic credential.
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2026
Spring 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
I'm already an undergrad student at UK. How do I add this undergraduate certificate?
Current students should discuss their interest in adding any program to their plan of study with their advisor to assess impact to graduation timeline and more. In most cases, students can add a certificate through myUK:
1. Go into MyUK
2. Click on “MyUK GPS”
3. Go to “My Program of Study” and on the right hand side of the page you should see a button that says “Request a Major Change.” Click on this button.
4. Once you go into this form, click "Add a Major" and search for the certificate program to add.
Please note, certain programs require students to complete an internal application before you can be enrolled in the program.
What is the admission criteria?
Admission Criteria is located on each Program Page under the section titled "How to Apply".
If I already have an undergraduate degree, can I take this program?
Yes. Since you already earned a degree, you meet the requirement of having 60 credit hours taken.
I don't have any college credit. Can I take this program?
No, this program requires that students have 60 credit hours of college coursework completed. Please apply after you have earned 60 credit hours.
Tuition
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully online programs, state of residence does not affect tuition rate. Tuition is the same no matter where you live.
How much does the program cost?
The cost depends on your enrollment pathway.
Current full-time on-campus UK undergraduate students pay no additional tuition — the certificate courses count as electives within your existing tuition.
Working professionals who are not seeking university course credit or transcripts can enroll through Gatton Executive Education.
Those seeking course credit and a university transcript for completion of this program, and students who are already enrolled in fully online degree programs, pay per credit hour at the undergraduate "UK Online Campus" rate. Please see Student Account Services for the current rates.
Reach out to the contact listed on this page if you have any questions.
I'm currently enrolled as a full-time on-campus undergraduate student. Do I get charged extra for this program?
No. Full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled as UK Campus students can take this program as part of the capped tuition rate. These classes basically become your electives.
I'm currently enrolled as a full-time UK Online undergraduate student. Do I get charged extra for this program?
Yes. Undergraduate UK Online students pay per credit hour, regardless of how many credit hours you take.
Online Learning
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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