NAPFA University

NAPFA University: Mission Statement and Value Proposition

The mission of NAPFA University is to provide a continuum of practical learning for
financial planning professionals that is comprehensive and case study-based.

Through converting knowledge into practical application, students will:
• increase competence and confidence;
• better serve the comprehensive needs of clients; and
• build a stronger business.

NAPFA University “Chancellor” & driving force: Robert Maloney

Deans
School of Risk Management: Roseann Bove
School of Taxation: Bernie Kiely
School of Investments: Scott Leonard
School of Estate Planning: David Foster
School of Communication: Jennifer Lazarus and Melissa Hammel
School of Retirement Planning: Rebecca Chacko

NAPFA University Now Offers Full Slate of 100 and 200 Level Courses

NAPFA’s 2008 National Conference marked the introduction of new 200 level courses in Investments, Risk Management and Estate Planning. The presentation of these three courses is a significant milestone for NAPFA University, our unique educational program designed specifically for the needs of new and veteran financial advisors. With these courses, we build on our initial offerings at the basic, 100 level in each of the six core disciplines envisioned for NAPFA University.

Our “School of Core Competency” consists of six sub-schools: tax planning, estate planning, risk management, retirement planning, investments, and the school of communications. Each school is headed by a Dean, who has created a committee and outlined the basic courses. 

This is only part of an ambitious agenda. Those working on NAPFA University envision courses covering more advanced material, as well as an expansion into practice management matters. NAPFA University, if it fulfills its initial promise, can break the mold for educational programming in our industry. By focusing on how financial planning principles are applied in the real world with real clients, NAPFA University goes beyond the more abstract education that most advisors receive.

NAPFA University is designed to pick up where the CFP/CHFC designations leave off. In other words, the schools will provide practical knowledge, with an emphasis on real-life case studies necessary to convert textbook knowledge into the early stages of expertise. The courses also will serve as refreshers for subjects that advisors have perhaps not encountered in their practices for a while, or as a way to get up-to-date on planning areas towards which a practice is evolving.

For each of the six core competencies, the initial task has been to develop two 50-minute presentations of classroom education, to be followed by a comprehensive case study that will be carried through all six schools of learning.