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University of Minnesota Extension
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Financial Educator Certificate Program

Designed for community-based professionals, the Financial Educator Certificate (FEC) is an online course that equips learners with the expertise to assist others in managing financial resources, building assets, and enhancing financial wellbeing. The course delves into essential financial concepts, including wealth building, spending, saving, borrowing, and wealth protection. Gain insight into financial behavior theory and its practical applications, explore effective educational delivery methods, and understand financial education's ethics and program evaluation.

FEC is an online asynchronous course that uses a cohort model. As you progress through the course, you and your peers will learn the same concepts at the same time. The course includes ten modules that are completed over 7-months. The course uses a combination of learning tools to keep you engaged, including videos, case studies, quizzes and discussions. 

Upcoming FEC program

The 2023 cohort of the FEC program will run from Sept. 18, 2023 to April 19, 2024.

Cost

$350/participant

Objectives

Through individual study and online interaction with cohort peers, participants will demonstrate mastery of core financial practices, including the ability to:

  • Analyze financial situations.

  • Set goals.

  • Create spending and saving plans.

  • Build and repair credit.

  • Manage debt.

  • Access tax credits.

  • Build wealth.

Participants will also comprehend core tenets of financial education and evaluation, including the ability to:

  • Apply financial educational theories.

  • Choose appropriate financial education delivery methods for intended outcomes.

  • Comprehend key principles in financial education program evaluation.

  • Demonstrate ethical principles in financial education.

Certificate

The certificate will be granted upon the successful completion of all requirements of the program. This includes:

  • Completion of all assignments.

  • Active participation in online discussions.

  • Achievement of at least 80 percent on each of the Check Your Knowledge quizzes.

  • Completion of Capstone Project.

Instructors

The Financial Educator Certificate Program is taught by the following University of Minnesota staff:

  • Dung Mao, Extension educator in family resiliency
  • Mary Jo Katras, program leader in family resiliency

Registration

Registration is through the University of Minnesota online registration system. This system uses pop-ups. Follow the instructions and provide the required information. This registration system will:

  • Guide you to "create a new guest account" to use for the course. If you have a University of Minnesota x500 internet ID/password, you will skip this step.
  • Collect basic information about you, needed by the course instructor.
  • Collect your registration fee of $350. (Required as a credit card payment.)
  • Give you the link to immediately access the online course. 

Register now

Course modules

The course is divided into ten course modules. Here is more information about what to expect from each modules.

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Development of this program was financially supported by the Greater Twin Cities United Way. The College of Education and Human Development — University of Minnesota provided instructional design and technology production support.

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