The University of Kentucky's Certificate in Financial Planning is a CFP Board-Registered program housed in the Gatton College of Business and Economics. The program prepares students to build comprehensive financial plans covering investments, retirement, tax, estate, and insurance topics. Students can complete the certificate through one of three enrollment pathways depending on their goals.
The certificate is open to students of any major and non-degree seeking students.
Students who begin the certificate as undergraduates but graduate before completing all six courses may finish remaining coursework through Executive Education.
Best for current UK students who want to add the certificate alongside a degree program.
Best for students who want university credit and an official UK transcript without enrolling in a full degree program.
Best for professionals focused on meeting the CFP education requirement at lowest cost (without needing transcript credit).
This program combines the strengths of the Gatton College of Business and Economics, the Von Allmen School of Accountancy, and the John Maze Stewart Department of Finance and Quantitative Methods. Students learn from faculty and practitioners with direct experience in financial planning, wealth management, tax, and estate planning.
The certificate consists of six courses covering all CFP Board Principal Knowledge Topics. Most students complete the program in two to four semesters.
Recommended additional elective: the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam prep course, currently offered as a special-topics section of FIN 490 (check the schedule of classes for the current listing). It is not a required part of the certificate.
For each category, one course completes the requirement. In-person sections are optional.
* ACC 356 satisfies the Fundamentals requirement for students who completed it in a prior semester.
** Summer options may be available for this course, check the course catalog or contact the program director for more information.
Finance and accounting majors may use FIN 410 or ACC 407 to satisfy both major requirements and the certificate. If you've already completed one of these courses, it will apply toward the certificate automatically once you add the certificate in myGPS. Talk with your advisor to confirm how this fits your degree plan.
The offering pattern shapes every path: ACC 357 and FIN 358 are fall only, FIN 357 is spring only, and FIN 359 (the capstone) requires the other five courses.
Fall 1
FIN 350
ACC 357 or ACC 407
Spring 1
FIN 357 or FIN 410
ACC 457 (or take ACC 457 in Fall 2)
Fall 2
FIN 358
Spring 2
FIN 359 (Capstone)
ACC 457
With the program director's approval, students with financial services experience may take the capstone alongside their final courses.
FIN 359 (Capstone, by approval).
Fall 3
Spring 3
Our courses are taught by Gatton faculty and experienced practitioners who bring real-world financial planning expertise to the classroom.
His research focuses on financial advisors, financial misconduct, and governance. He has published his research in leading finance journals such as: Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis and Review of Finance. He is an associate editor of the Journal of Corporate Finance. His research has won best paper awards at leading international conferences. His research has also been featured in the international media such as the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and NPR and cited by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Jonathan Pliszka has been a faculty member at the University of Kentucky since 2024, teaching Investment Analysis and leading the MSF Student Managed Investment Fund, where he oversees students managing several million dollars on behalf of the University of Kentucky endowment. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the Finance Society and the UK Stock Pitch Competition. Prior to joining UK, Jonathan spent over 15 years in the finance industry, holding roles including Senior Vice President at Morningstar and Associate at Goldman Sachs. His experience spans asset allocation, investment research, and portfolio construction, with a focus on advising institutional investors and financial advisors. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. In addition to his role at the University of Kentucky, Jonathan operates High Knoll Wealth Advisors, a fee-only fiduciary wealth management practice.
Andrew Hart cofounded Wallace Hart Capital Management in 2017 and heads financial planning for the firm's clients. Before founding the firm, he held analyst and portfolio management roles at UBS Financial Services, Headley Investment Analysis, and the World Bank Credit Union. He earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Wittenberg University and a certificate in financial planning from Georgetown University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. He teaches FIN 358 (Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning) in the Certificate in Financial Planning program.
Tom is a Senior Lecturer who currently teaches undergraduate classes in Federal income taxation and financial accounting, as well as business law in the Masters of Accounting program. Tom enjoys traveling with his family and coaching youth sports.
His research primarily focuses on taxation, and how tax policy influences decision making. Michael is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Prior to pursuing his doctoral studies, he worked as a tax associate in RSM’s Cleveland, Ohio office and a tax accountant at Valvoline, Inc. He earned a master's degree in accounting from Ohio University and a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Ohio University.
The certificate prepares students for careers in financial planning, wealth management, and advisory roles.
The University of Kentucky’s Cost of Attendance (COA) estimates annual student expenses, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, and personal costs. It varies by residency, enrollment, and housing, and helps determine financial aid eligibility.
Students can use the Net Price Calculator to create a personalized financial plan.
Learn More
The University of Kentucky's Tuition and Fees page provides detailed information on the costs associated with enrollment for the academic year.
Additional fees may apply for certain courses, such as lab or material fees. For a comprehensive breakdown of tuition rates, mandatory fees, and other associated costs, please refer to the official Tuition and Fees page.
Current UK students should add the undergraduate certificate through myGPS at no additional cost. Professionals who need official transcript credit, including those using GI Bill or UK Employee Education Program (EEP) benefits, should apply as non-degree students. Professionals focused on meeting the CFP education requirement at lowest cost (who do not need transcript credit) should enroll through Executive Education.
Yes. The Certificate in Financial Planning is registered with CFP Board of Standards, Inc. Completing all six courses satisfies the education requirement to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
You can begin coursework with 60 undergraduate credit hours. However, CFP Board requires a bachelor's degree to sit for the CFP® exam.
Most students complete the program in two to four semesters.
Yes. All courses are delivered online in a paced asynchronous format with weekly deadlines. Select courses (ACC 407, FIN 410) also have in-person options.
ACC 357 and FIN 358 are fall only. FIN 357 is spring only. FIN 350, ACC 457, and FIN 359 are offered both semesters.
Yes. We admit students for both fall and spring semesters.
Yes. Full-time, on-campus degree-seeking students can add the certificate at no additional cost; the courses count toward free elective requirements.
Yes. Contact the program director and we'll set you up to finish the remaining courses through Executive Education at $895 per course.
Coursework from other CFP Board-registered programs may transfer on a case-by-case basis. Contact the program director with documentation of your completed coursework (transcripts, CFP Board education verification) and we'll evaluate what can transfer.
Yes. If you've already completed one of these courses, it will apply toward the certificate automatically once you add the certificate in myGPS.
Every certificate course is a 300- or 400-level elective, so for most majors the six courses fit inside elective slots you already have to fill, typically with no extra semesters. A few examples from the 2026-27 catalog. How the courses count depends on the catalog year under which you enrolled, so please verify your individual situation with your advisor.
Not sure about your major?
Email your advisor and have them reach out to the program director with your major and year and we'll map it out.
UK employees using Employee Education Program (EEP) benefits should enroll as non-degree students, not Executive Education, because EEP requires credit-bearing courses. Confirm your eligibility with UK Human Resources before enrolling.
Employee Education Program
Retiring soon? EEP requires active employment as of the last day to add classes each semester; after that, Executive Education is the simplest path. Kentucky residents 65 and older may qualify for UK's Donovan Scholarship for credit courses (limited availability for online sections). contact the Donovan office.
Donovan Scholarship for Adults 65+
Veterans using GI Bill benefits should enroll as non-degree students, not Executive Education, because GI Bill requires credit-bearing courses.
Non-degree students earn official university credit that appears on a UK transcript, required for EEP, GI Bill, and employers that need transcript documentation for tuition reimbursement. Executive education does not earn credit but costs significantly less ($5,370 vs. about $12,006).
Contact Will Gerken, PhD at will.gerken@uky.edu.
Yes. ACC 356 satisfies the Fundamentals requirement for students who completed it.
