Need a degree to get the CFP

[rachel83az]

There are so many ways to slice this piece of pie and get you what you want, it seems like you're starting pretty much from scratch if you have no community college credits.  If you're going for one of these "certs" for the knowledge before the exam, then you can PLA up to 18 credits from the 7 courses provided by each and everyone of those authorized certification programs that do not have undergrad/grad credit...  https://www.cfp.net/get-certified/certif...n-program/

So, that means, to take 16 credits for residency at TESU to waive the residency fee, and then take the PLA for your AOS as these count for RA credits, you'll get past the 30 RA requirement.  I would take the bulk of the courses from Sophia.org, Study.com to transfer in as per the links provided above and spreadsheet, you should update it with the following information:

I suggest doing the 3 easy e-Packs plus cornerstone/capstone, and the PLA 100 course for 16 credits.  e-Packs basically, these are expensive TECEP exams compared to online or guided study courses...  List to select from: https://www2.tesu.edu/listallc.php?type=EP

PLA would involve a significant amount of writing. Since the goal here is to avoid essays whenever possible, I don't think that PLA would fit with that intention.

[bjcheung77]

Honestly, like I mentioned earlier, there are so many different options, it all depends how you want to do things, the PLA is one of them with TESU. I think you may want to do the following since "any" degree is good enough for you, do a TESU BSBA Finance with alternative credits, then pay the residency waiver fee.

Complete the program I linked for the Cert, then get the exam done... 3 step process, don't even worry about transferring the credits into the degree with an authorized program, the Cert is just used for exam prep... So, do 8 TECEPS and the cornerstone/capstone from TESU, and the rest would be all Sophia.org/Study.com

Another option is just doing a quick BLS with a minor of choice at UMPI and the cert that I mentioned earlier, your main goal as per your posts are to get this out of the way and quick, don't dwell on "converting/transferring" these certificate credits into your BSBA, you just need a degree, short and simple is easiest...

[alr916]

It sounds like you are well on your way, congrats!! Sorry to hear about the struggles you have had thus far in education. Have you looked into taking any courses for credit at LawShelf? Super user-friendly, and about 50 of their courses have NCCRS credit recommendations. The courses are all free, and each has a $35 proctored exam fee, but that's it! Good luck to you!

[mikehart82]

There are so many ways to slice this piece of pie and get you what you want, it seems like you're starting pretty much from scratch if you have no community college credits.  If you're going for one of these "certs" for the knowledge before the exam, then you can PLA up to 18 credits from the 7 courses provided by each and everyone of those authorized certification programs that do not have undergrad/grad credit...  https://www.cfp.net/get-certified/certif...n-program/

So, that means, to take 16 credits for residency at TESU to waive the residency fee, and then take the PLA for your AOS as these count for RA credits, you'll get past the 30 RA requirement.  I would take the bulk of the courses from Sophia.org, Study.com to transfer in as per the links provided above and spreadsheet, you should update it with the following information:

I suggest doing the 3 easy e-Packs plus cornerstone/capstone, and the PLA 100 course for 16 credits.  e-Packs basically, these are expensive TECEP exams compared to online or guided study courses...  List to select from: https://www2.tesu.edu/listallc.php?type=EP

PLA would involve a significant amount of writing. Since the goal here is to avoid essays whenever possible, I don't think that PLA would fit with that intention.

Ok I'm enrolled at TESU.  Is there anything else I should be doing right now?

[carrythenothing]

Did you enroll with a TECEP exam or a class?

Consider requesting academic accommodations: https://www.tesu.edu/about/ada/accommodations

See if any of your programs/credentials have been reviewed: https://www.tesu.edu/academics/oplr/plr#...on-2-title

[bjcheung77]

Ok I'm enrolled at TESU.  Is there anything else I should be doing right now?

Yes, you sit back on the couch and binge watch Amazon and Netflix videos all day! What else is there to do nowadays?
On a serious note, you should invest in a second monitor to multi-task. Get all the Sophia.org courses completed on these 3 links.
Once you are done with the Sophia.org courses listed here, update this thread and we'll get you started on other providers.

General Ed: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...ts_Roadmap
BSBA Core: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...re_Roadmap
BSBA Finance: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sa...egree_Plan

[CHken92]

Ok I'm enrolled at TESU.  Is there anything else I should be doing right now?

We are in similar situations although I had existing RA credits.
Here are my suggestions: 

1. Take The American College ChFC course. You can get through it relatively quickly and if you are already a Para lots of it will be easy for you. TESU will award you 2 credits for each ChFC course. I literally just got my transfer eval back from TESU today and finished the ChFC in Feb. The ChFC qualifies you to sit the CFP. You can take the CFP Exam without the college credits. They will give you 5 years to finish the degree, you just cant hang the shingle until you have the degree. While you are doing these do some Gen credits at Sophia or do some CLEPS, etc ...

2. Use Brett Danko for CFP prep. Do what he says and trust the process. I just sat my exam in March. Waiting on results. The test is a bear. When you go into prep mode (which I would do as soon as you finish the all ChFC up to HS 333) you will need 6-8 weeks minimum. Plan to study ONLY the CFP material. Dont try to do any other studying, you will need to focus here. 

TESU will also grant you credits for any FINRA designations. With those and the ChFC I have 2 UL Finance courses to complete in the BSBA Finance AOS, the rest are done through ChFC/FINRA.

By utilizing the ChFC program enroute to CFP & Bachelors, you will have the ChFC Designation which is well respected in the industry and will have passed your CFP. Anything after this will appear easy as can be, you'll knock your Undergrad out in no time!!

[mikehart82]

Ok I'm enrolled at TESU.  Is there anything else I should be doing right now?

Hi, I have my series 65 license, my insurance license, and my Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation (FPQP)

So I shouldn't enroll in any classes at TESU yet?  Just start on the ChFC? 

I was thinking about doing this anyway since the ChFC doesn't require a degree and I don't know if this college thing will work out.  

Thanks for your help!  

We are in similar situations although I had existing RA credits.
Here are my suggestions: 

1. Take The American College ChFC course. You can get through it relatively quickly and if you are already a Para lots of it will be easy for you. TESU will award you 2 credits for each ChFC course. I literally just got my transfer eval back from TESU today and finished the ChFC in Feb. The ChFC qualifies you to sit the CFP. You can take the CFP Exam without the college credits. They will give you 5 years to finish the degree, you just cant hang the shingle until you have the degree. While you are doing these do some Gen credits at Sophia or do some CLEPS, etc ...

2. Use Brett Danko for CFP prep. Do what he says and trust the process. I just sat my exam in March. Waiting on results. The test is a bear. When you go into prep mode (which I would do as soon as you finish the all ChFC up to HS 333) you will need 6-8 weeks minimum. Plan to study ONLY the CFP material. Dont try to do any other studying, you will need to focus here. 

TESU will also grant you credits for any FINRA designations. With those and the ChFC I have 2 UL Finance courses to complete in the BSBA Finance AOS, the rest are done through ChFC/FINRA.

By utilizing the ChFC program enroute to CFP & Bachelors, you will have the ChFC Designation which is well respected in the industry and will have passed your CFP. Anything after this will appear easy as can be, you'll knock your Undergrad out in no time!!

[bjcheung77]

There are so many ways of getting to your goal, if you're still iffy in regards to getting a degree you can follow CHken92's recommendations to get as many college credits you can through Sophia.org and other ACE credit providers towards the degree. Then you do the CFP prep and exam only. Lastly, transfer all your credits to TESU and finish the residency requirements of 16 credits or pay the residency waiver fee if your degree requirements already are fulfilled.

[CHken92]

Ok I'm enrolled at TESU.  Is there anything else I should be doing right now?

Hi, I have my series 65 license, my insurance license, and my Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation (FPQP)

So I shouldn't enroll in any classes at TESU yet?  Just start on the ChFC? 

I was thinking about doing this anyway since the ChFC doesn't require a degree and I don't know if this college thing will work out.  

Thanks for your help!  



 
I didn't think when I started the ChFC I would follow through all the way to CFP either because of the degree, but here I am.

Honestly, even if you do the ChFC I would still do the CFP Prep with Danko and sit the CFP. Even if you don't pass (but you WILL) you'll learn SO much! And if you do pass you have 5 years to get your degree plus you will  have earned all the all but 2 UL Finance credits along the way. The UL Finance credits will be easily done through study.com immediately after the CFP Exam.