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UNO Now Offers CFP Board Registered Program in Financial Planning

  • published: 2026/05/14
  • contact: Brian Payne - UNO College of Business Administration
  • email: brianpayne@unomaha.edu
The entrance to Mammel Hall, home of the UNO College of Business Administration.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) College of Business Administration (CBA) has been approved by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) to provide a new financial planning undergraduate concentration program.

This UNO financial planning education program—the first approved at a Nebraska system college of business—prepares students for careers in financial planning, one of the fastest-growing areas of finance. The development of an undergraduate minor and a certificate in Financial Planning are also planned. This education program was carefully designed to align with the educational requirements for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

UNO’s financial planning curriculum delivers comprehensive training across essential areas of the financial planning profession, including financial planning fundamentals, retirement planning, employee benefits, estate planning, income tax, insurance, and investing. Students gain the skills to assess client needs, develop personalized financial planning strategies, and provide informed guidance across a wide range of financial planning scenarios. Students completing the financial planning program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha will meet the coursework requirement for CFP® certification® and be eligible to sit for the CFP® certification exam administered by CFP Board.

Graduates of the program will be well-positioned for careers as financial planners, wealth management advisors, retirement specialists, and financial consultants—roles experiencing strong growth nationwide. They will be prepared to enter a career field known for strong earning potential, professional growth, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in clients’ lives. As demand for professionals who can help individuals navigate complex financial decisions increases, CFP® certification remains one of the most respected and career-advancing credentials in the industry.

CFP Board is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that consists of two affiliated nonprofit organizations, both focused on achieving their Strategic Priorities. The mission of CFP Board of Standards, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, is to credential competent and ethical financial planners, uphold CFP® certification as the recognized standard and advance the financial planning profession. The mission of CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is to advance competent and ethical financial planning and expand CFP® professional diversity for the benefit of the public.

CFP Board currently oversees more than 360 programs at more than 200 institutions. CFP Board Registered Programs are financial planning education programs at the college or university level that meet specific criteria for educating individuals who wish to fulfill the education component for obtaining CFP® certification.

Those who earn CFP® certification distinguish themselves among their financial planner peers by meeting CFP Board’s education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements.

“Financial planning is a fast-growing and impactful field in business today,” said Brian Payne, Ph.D., CFP®, Professor of Finance and current Director of UNO’s program. “This program equips UNO students with both the technical knowledge and preparation based on realistic scenarios needed to succeed in a profession that directly improves people’s financial well-being.”

UNO’s program emphasizes applied learning and strong industry connections. Students will learn from both UNO faculty and those with professional experience and gain access to Omaha’s robust financial services sector. Firms in the local area routinely advertise internship opportunities that provide valuable hands-on experience and potential career pathways in financial planning.

“UNO connects classroom learning with real-world experience,” said Patty Bick, Ph.D., associate professor of Finance and department chair. “Through this program, we are preparing the next generation of financial planning professionals to make a meaningful impact in their communities and the global economy.”

Persons interested in the program should send inquiries to Payne at brianpayne@unomaha.edu.

ABOUT the CFP BOARD

The CFP Board is the professional body for personal financial planners in the U.S. CFP Board consists of two affiliated organizations focused on advancing the financial planning profession for the public’s benefit. CFP Board of Standards sets and upholds standards for financial planning and administers the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification — widely recognized by the public, advisors and firms as the standard for financial planners — so that the public has access to the benefits of competent and ethical financial planning. CFP® certification is held by more than 95,000 people in the U.S. CFP Board Center for Financial Planning addresses diversity and workforce development challenges and conducts and publishes research that adds to the financial planning profession’s body of knowledge.