Texas Tech University

Continuing Education Credits for Financial Planners at Texas Tech University

Ashley Brister

August 18, 2020

Online Continuing Education Credit Texas Tech

Elder Planning Certificate Designation: Online CEU Credits for Working Professionals

For financial planners who have an interest or career focus in real estate, insurance, or elder planning, Texas Tech offers working professionals continuing education through the Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) Designation curriculum. For those with the desire to make an impact on the 50+ age group, you will gain skills and understanding surrounding to effectively work with elders and design practical solutions for their financial well-being.

The Elder Planning Counselor online curriculum for continuing education will cover aging health issues, social and phycological issues as well as tools for financial communication tactics. After students successfully have completed course content, they will have the opportunity to take the exam. Students who pass the exam will receive a certificate from Texas Tech University in addition to 1.2 Continuing Education Unit credits.

Melissa WhiteHear from a former student, Melissa White, on her experience in the program.

How did you find out about Texas Tech's Elder Planning Counselor Designation?

I was searching the internet for continuing education opportunities related to estate and elder planning.

Why did you choose the Elder Planning Counselor Designation?

Choosing the Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) program was influenced by two factors. The first was the mission of the US Initiative for Elder Planning Studies (USIEPS), the organization that administers the designation in the United States. Their mission is to enrich the knowledge and understanding of professionals, including financial professionals, who work with elders as to the specialized needs of Americans as they age. Whether it is the individual client themselves or a younger client who is facing new challenges as their parents age, every one of us is impacted by the needs of elders. As a CPA and an Accredited Estate Planner®, many of my clients are individuals who are developing their estate plan or have recently lost a loved one. The EPC designation represents an understanding of the total needs of maturing clients, not just their financial needs. The second factor that influenced my decision was that the program was offered in partnership with Texas Tech University's College of Human Services. The EPC international designation is fairly new in the United States but has been in existence in Canada for almost 20 years. As a financial professional, the credibility that the university's affiliation gave to the program was key.

Can you tell us about your experience?

Registration for the course was very easy. I visited with a staff member briefly before registering and once registered, was immediately able to download the course materials. Dennis Robinson of USIEPS kept in contact with me during the exam preparation phase to ensure any questions I had about the program were answered. The learning modules provided insight into aging, health, social, psychological, and financial issues of elders. The preparation phase was self-paced, and the exam was completed online.

Why would you recommend this program to other individuals?

The EPC program is not difficult. If you are a medical professional, the program will not make you an accountant and if you are a financial professional, you will not be an expert at the causes of dementia. Being a trusted advisor to clients means understanding their needs. The EPC program provides resources to compliment your professional strengths with an awareness of the other issues and challenges that our elders are or will be facing.