Top 7 Accelerated CFP Programs in 2025

Certified financial planners (CFPs) provide expert advice on investments, income taxes, estate planning, and insurance to help clients manage their personal finances. Accelerated CFP programs offer fast-track pathways to learning these essential financial planning topics and being eligible to take the CFP exam.

This article explores various fast-track education programs and answers questions related to costs, courses, and CFP certification. Continue reading to discover how CFP accelerated paths can support your career in financial services.

What Is a CFP Program?

A CFP program is a series of courses offered by a college, university, or other qualified educational institution. The CFP program should be CFP Board-registered, which ensures that the courses cover the topics tested on the national CFP exam; some schools may also have regional accreditation.

A CFP program curriculum includes courses such as tax planning, retirement planning, risk management, and investment strategies. Once coursework is complete, you are eligible to sit for the exam and earn your CFP certification.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Fast-Track CFP Program?

Fast-track CFP programs can range from two weeks to twelve months or more. The exact time it takes to complete your CFP program depends on your previous education and professional experience. Fast-track programs allow students to bypass certain courses and advance directly to the capstone course, which is the final course required before sitting for the CFP exam.

Accelerated CFP programs are available in person and online. Many online programs are self-paced, enabling students to work according to their own timeline and schedule needs.

10 Best Accelerated CFP Programs

The following schools provide CFP Board-registered programs that can be taken at an accelerated pace.

1. Boston Institute of Finance

The Boston Institute of Finance (BIF) offers an online CFP accelerated path. The program is conducted 100% online and is self-paced.

Students who have a professional background in finance, such as chartered life underwriters (CLUs) and chartered financial consultants (CHFCs), can skip the curriculum's core courses and move directly to the capstone course. This fast-track pathway takes about two weeks. Students who are looking for more in-depth studies can choose BIF's capstone course and core review package.

• Estimated tuition cost: $695 for capstone course
• Program length: Two weeks or more
• Accreditation: CFB Board

2. Creighton University

Creighton University is a mid-sized private school in Omaha, NE, with an accelerated CFP program. This fast-track program is designed for those with a professional background in finance, such as certified public accountants (CPAs), financial advisors, and licensed attorneys.

Students who hold their master's degree in a related field may also move directly to the capstone course. The capstone course is entirely online and self-paced.

• Estimated tuition cost: $900 for capstone course
• Program length: Six to eight weeks
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Liberty University

Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University (LU) is a large private school with an extensive online learning platform. LU offers an online CFP program through its School of Business. The certificate program consists of 21 credit hours and is delivered 100% online. Courses include estate planning, investments, and insurance and risk management.

Students may apply up to 75% of eligible transfer credits toward their certificate, thus completing their program at an accelerated pace.

• Estimated tuition cost: $390 per credit hour
• Program length: Six months or fewer
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. California State University, Chico

Located in its namesake city, California State University, Chico (Cal State Chico) is a mid-sized public school with an online CFP program. Students can choose to take all seven courses before sitting for the CFP exam; those with professional experience can advance directly to the capstone course.

You can enroll in Cal State Chico's program anytime, and courses are self-paced. Courses include an introduction to financial planning, investment planning, and applications of insurance planning.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,300 program total
• Program length: Six months
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

5. University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers an online CFP program through its UCLA Extension learning platform. The CFP program consists of seven four-week courses, with two-week breaks in between sessions.

Students can complete UCLA Extension's online program in nine months. Required courses include investment planning, retirement planning, and financial plan development.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,700 program total
• Program length: Nine months
• Accreditation: WSCUC

6. Florida State University

Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University (FSU) has an online CFP program that can be completed in twelve months or fewer. Students enrolled in FSU's online program can choose from the traditional track (which includes seven courses) or its accelerated track (which includes the capstone course).

FSU's accelerated track is designed for those with qualifying credentials, like professional certifications. Both tracks can be completed within one year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $495 per core course; $995 for capstone course
• Program length: 12 months or fewer
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. The American College of Financial Services

The American College of Financial Services is a distance-learning institution based in Pennsylvania. The American College of Financial Services offers a flexible, online CFP Board-registered program that students can complete in about twelve months.

After completing the seven-course curriculum, students are eligible to sit for the CFP exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,395 program total
• Program length: Twelve months
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

How We Rank Schools

We consider several key criteria when determining which schools to feature, including average program length and costs.

• Accreditation: All of the listed programs have CFP Board-registered curricula. Some schools feature additional accreditation status from independent, regional organizations.
• Program length: The programs can be completed in 18 months or fewer. We showcase the most accelerated programs at the top of our list.
• Affordability: We strive to feature programs with lower costs. Many colleges and universities offer financial aid options to students.

What Are the CFP Requirements?

If you are interested in how to become a CFP, you may be curious about which requirements are necessary for certification. To receive your CFP certification, you must successfully complete a CFP Board-registered program, pass the CFP exam, hold a bachelor's degree, and gain professional experience hours.

For the experience requirement, you can either earn 6,000 hours of financial planning following the standard path, or you can earn 4,000 hours of CFP-supervised experience following the accelerated path.

FAQs About Accelerated CFP Programs

We answer questions related to accelerated CFP programs, from curricula to delivery methods to program costs.

Can I Do a CFP Fast Track Program Online?

Yes, you can do a CFP fast-track program online. Many schools offer online certificate programs that can be completed at an accelerated pace. Online programs often feature asynchronous courses and 24/7 technical support. Both lectures and coursework are conducted remotely.

What Courses Will I Take in an Accelerated CFP Program?

Traditional or standard CFP programs typically include seven courses, the last of which is a capstone course. Accelerated CFP programs can be tailored to suit your educational needs. Some students with applicable educational and professional backgrounds can bypass all courses and move directly to the capstone course.

CFP program curricula cover topics such as professional conduct, tax planning, risk management, estate planning, and other subjects important to the financial planning process.

Do I Need a Degree To Become a CFP?

Yes, you need to hold at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution to become a certified financial planner. However, you do not necessarily need to hold a bachelor's degree to enroll in a CFP program. You can complete a CFP program before earning your undergraduate degree. Some certificate programs, like Liberty University's online program, can be credited toward your degree.

Is CFP Certification Worth It?

CFP professionals are held in high esteem in the financial planning industry, and earning your CFP certification can afford you a higher salary and more opportunities in the job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), personal financial advisors earned a median salary of $102,140 in 2024.

Ultimately, choosing whether to pursue your CFP certification is a highly personal decision. You must carefully consider your personal commitments alongside your professional goals.

How Much Does an Accelerated CFP Program Cost?

Accelerated CFP program costs range greatly according to prior professional experience and/or educational background. The cost for a capstone course alone starts around $700; additional core courses can cost $500 each or more. You must also consider additional costs like textbooks or exam prep expenses.

Explore CFP Certification Programs Online

If you would like to learn more about online certification programs, connect with Learn.org's partner schools. Discover which pathway best serves your career plans.