FAQ
How long is the program?
This is a two-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program. Students take a number of introductory courses in their first term to build a solid foundation. In their second and third semesters students focus mainly on technical and financial planning courses. The fourth term will include experiential and technical learning to expand the students knowledge in related topics and to better prepare the students for the job market.
Are classes online or in person?
Courses are currently offered face-to-face. Some courses include a hybrid or online component in addition to face-to-face classes. The courses are sometimes offered in bimodal format. With Bimodal format, the classes are held on campus and broadcast on Zoom simultaneously. Bimodal classes are typically offered for a limited time at the beginning of the first term. This will help the international students who are in transition to Canada to be able to attend classes on Zoom before arriving on campus.
What would I learn?
You will learn the skills to pursue a career in the financial planning, personal banking, wealth management, or insurance advising industries. You can also continue your career development through advanced professional education, on the job training and experience. The program prepares graduates to meet the high proficiency standards needed to complete the professional designations, such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and licensing courses in the financial services industry.
Are there any certifications that I can earn?
The program provides a pathway to the following designations upon completion of their additional requirements and exams:
- Canadian Securities Course (CSC credential)
- Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP) designation (see FP Canada website for additional requirements)
- Certified Financial Planner(CFP) designation. (See FP Canada website for university degree and additional requirements)
The CSC, QAFP and CFP are not awarded by Algonquin College. For more information on these credentials, refer to the websites: https://fpcanada.ca/become-a-financial-planner, https://www.fpcanada.ca/certifications/cfp-certification and https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/courses/csi/csc.xhtml.
What Accreditation and Certification fees are mandatory?
Students are required to purchase the course materials for the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) courses and one attempt at the CSI exams for a cost of $1,100.00. This fee is mandatory and in addition to the student’s tuition.
Do I need specialized software or computer?
Students are required to have a mobile computing device that meets program specifications. Please note that it is mandatory to have a Windows based system. Some software applications that you could be using will not run effectively on other platforms (even when running via Parallels on Mac).