University of Northwestern – St. Paul’s Finance Major Recognized as a CFP Board Registered Program

ST. PAUL, Minn., October 10, 2025 – The University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW) is excited to share significant updates to its Finance major with a concentration in Financial Planning, offering students expanded opportunities to prepare for distinguished professional certifications and careers in the financial services industry.

UNW has been officially recognized by the CFP® Board as a Registered Program, making it one of only four universities in Minnesota to earn this distinction. This recognition is significant: students who complete the program will fulfill the educational requirements needed to sit for the prestigious Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) exam immediately upon graduation. By offering this direct pathway, UNW helps students bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry credentials.

In addition, UNW is offering another unique point of distinction. As part of their Capstone experience, students will complete the coursework necessary to sit for the Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®) credential. UNW is one of only nine universities nationwide to offer this opportunity. The CKA® credential equips graduates to integrate biblical wisdom and ethical financial principles into their practice which is an increasingly important differentiator in today’s financial services industry.

Students will gain hands-on experience across all areas of the profession including comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, estate planning, investment management, and tax planning, while being shaped by Northwestern’s Christ-centered mission. In a marketplace where trust and integrity are paramount, this dual preparation uniquely trains graduates to serve clients with both excellence and conviction.

For students seeking a career in financial planning, the University of Northwestern – St. Paul now offers a pathway that is both academically strong and spiritually rooted. With the chance to pursue the CFP® and CKA® designations, graduates are well prepared to build meaningful careers serving families and communities.

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University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW) is a nondenominational, Christian university in St. Paul, Minn. With a Biblical worldview integrated into all programs, UNW provides a unique educational experience for students who want to combine faith and education. Northwestern offers more than 50 areas of study, including five master’s degrees, and online and early college programs. Northwestern Media, a ministry of the university, owns and operates 105 radio signals throughout the Midwest across 13 states with a total listenership of more than 2 million listeners. Visit unwsp.edu for more information.