Financial Planning

The Executive Certificate in Financial Planning is a graduate-level program that fulfills the education requirement for the CFP® Certification Examination.* Whether you're a seasoned professional or forging a new path in the financial services industry, this program is designed for you.

It's the only in-person, postgraduate program in the region that will equip you with the essential skills, training, and knowledge needed to prepare for the CFP® Exam. Complete your studies in approximately nine months while balancing a full-time job or other courses.

*Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ does not certify individuals. The CFP® mark is granted solely by to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience, and examination requirements.

The Executive Certificate in Financial Planning program is approved by the following: GI Bill or VA education benefits. Please contact us for more information about this opportunity. 

The program starts in September and ends in May.

Applications for September 2025 are open! Deadline to apply is August 8, 2025. 

View the Schedule

Degree

Certificate

Program Contact

Jen Milcarek

Program Director, Investment Strategy Institute & CFP® Certification Education Programs

Photo of Jen Milcarek.

Admission Requirements

Individuals who have completed an undergraduate program of study and who demonstrate the ability to succeed in a rigorous, accelerated program of are considered for acceptance. This program adheres to all Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ guidelines for non-discrimination.

Application Process

  1. Set up your Duquesne applicant account
  2. Submit a current resume via your applicant account or send it directly to milcarekjFREEDUQUESNE.
  3. Submit an official transcript from your undergraduate institution via your applicant account or send it directly to milcarekjFREEDUQUESNE. Most universities have a digital delivery system for official transcripts. Visit your university's registrar page for details.
  4. Applications will be reviewed after all required documents are received. If accepted, your place in the next cohort is secure when a deposit is received.

Apply Now

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition for our program is $5,495 plus books and materials. (Books are not included in the tuition and are purchased by the student directly from Kaplan Financial. Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ does not sell the books.)

  • Payment must be paid in full before the first class and by established deadlines unless you enroll in the University-approved payment plan. This payment plan option carries a sign-up fee and an interest charge for the subsequent two monthly payments.
  • There is no University or Federal Financial Aid available for this program.
  • This program is considered non-credit and part-time, and it will not qualify for loan deferrals while you are enrolled.
  • There is no third-party or corporate billing. If an employer is willing to cost-share or cover part or all of the tuition, the student will need to make arrangements to pay in full by the deadline with their employer. Tuition invoices will be made directly to the student only.
  • Before applying, students should assess their financial ability to pay. 
  • Related expenses not covered in tuition may include: campus or nearby parking costs, food and beverages, transportation, a financial calculator, and a device with internet access for required online assessments.
  • This program is a registered and approved program by the , which owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, and CFP (with flame logo)®, which it awards to individuals who complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.
  • GI Bill or VA education benefits: Veterans need to provide DD-214 to the University’s VA Certifying Officer. Please email Jennifer Milcarek at milcarekj@duq.edu for more information.

Please refer to the following resources:

Estimates and anecdotal evidence suggest approximately 7-10 hours per week, in addition to class time. Another suggestion is that for each hour spent in class, you should spend two hours studying.

2025-2026 Schedule & Curriculum

  • Friday, September 5, 2025 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, September 19, 2025 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)

Assessments, Quizzes, Case Study, and Final Exam due: 9/27/2025

  • Friday, October 3, 2025 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, October 17, 2025 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)

Assessments, Quizzes, Case Study, and Final Exam due: 10/25/2025

  • Friday, October 24, 2025 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, November 7, 2025 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, November 21, 2025 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, November 22, 2025 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)

Assessments, Quizzes, Case study, and Final Exam due: 11/29/2025
  • Friday, December 5, 2025 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, January 9, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, January 23, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)

Assessments, Quizzes, Case Study, and Final Exam due: 1/31/2026

  • Friday, February 6, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, February 20, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, March 6, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)

Assessments, Quizzes, Case Study, and Final Exam due: 3/14/2026

  • Friday, March 20, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, April 17, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)

Assessments, Quizzes, Case Study, and Final Exam due: 4/25/2026

  • Friday, May 1, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, May 8, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)
  • Friday, May 15, 2026 | 5–9:00 pm (4 hours)
  • Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9am–5pm (8 hours)

Assessments, Quizzes, Case Study, and Final Exam due: TDB

The Capstone Case course is 45 hours in total, consisting of 36 hours of class time and 9 hours for case projects, including outside meetings with the Instructor and student teams.
Each section has mandatory, online assessments which consist of: 
  • (8) Quizzes
  • (1) Case Study
  • (1) Practice Exam
  • (1) Final Exam

Assessments are due one week after the end of the material at 11:59 p.m. 

(e.g. If class ends on September 30, all assessments are due October 7)