CFEI® – Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ Professional Development Course

The Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) course equips aspiring educators with the knowledge, skills, and professional standards needed to teach personal finance with confidence and impact. Beginning with foundational concepts in financial literacy and behavioral finance, the program explores how emotions, habits, life experiences, and social influences shape financial decision-making. Learners gain a deep understanding of core personal finance topics—including budgeting, banking, credit, debt, loans, and income—while developing the instructional techniques necessary to make these concepts meaningful and accessible for diverse audiences.

Throughout the training, participants learn how to design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality financial education programs using research-backed frameworks such as the Discovery → Define → Design model. The course emphasizes real-world application, measurable outcomes, and learner-centered instruction, guiding educators through program planning, classroom delivery, assessments, and post-program follow-up. Professionalism, ethics, and effective communication form a critical part of the curriculum, preparing educators to earn trust and work responsibly with sensitive financial information.

By the end of the course, participants complete assessments, a capstone project, and a professional portfolio that demonstrate their readiness to teach. Graduates leave prepared not only to provide accurate financial guidance, but also to create positive learning environments, support long-term behavior change, and contribute meaningfully to the financial well-being of individuals and communities.

Please scroll down to Course Content and click on Introduction & Course Overview to begin the course.

Course Content

Welcome, Support, & Course Overview
Introduction & Course Overview
3 Segments
Welcome Message from CEO
We Want to Get to Know You
Optional – Accreditation Pilot Program
Support & Learning Community
3 Segments
Platform Orientation & Support
Course Downloads
Learning Community
3 Segments
Course Preview & Learning Objectives
Graduation Requirements & Resources Upon Completion
Self Assessment – KWR
About Us: Past, Present, Future
CFEI Course Pre-Test
1 Test
CFEI Pre-Test
Chapter 1 Test – Welcome, Support, & Course Overview
Needs, Opportunities, & Role of a Financial Educator
Introduction to Needs, Opportunities, & Role of a Financial Educator
2 Segments
Warm up Activity
Defining Financial Education and Its Benefits
3 Segments
Need for Financial Education: Addressing a Widespread Crisis
What is Financial Education
Benefits of Financial Education for Learners
Financial Education Instructors: Role & Opportunities
3 Segments
Understanding the Role of Financial Educators
Impact of Qualified Educators & Risk of Unqualified Educators
Teaching Personal Finance: A Distinct Educational Practice
Financial Education Industry & Graduates Competitive Advantage
3 Segments
Problems in Financial Education Industry: How You Fill the Gap
How CFEI® Graduates Elevate the Industry: Proving Program Impact
Opportunities in the Financial Education Industry
The Psychology of Money: How Emotions, Behaviors, and Biases Shape Financial Decisions
Introduction to The Psychology of Money
2 Segments
Chapter Overview Video – The Psychology of Money
Warm Up Activities
Foundations of Behaviours & Emotions
2 Segments
Needs, Emotions, Money, & the Connection
How Financial Behaviors & Attitudes Form
Behavioral Finance
3 Segments
Behavioral Finance Aspects of Personal Finance
Social Factors in Behavioral Finance
Biases Involved in Personal Finance
Strategies for Financial Educators
3 Segments
Molding Positive Financial Behaviors
Strategies for Financial Educators
Upcoming Strategies for Addressing Behaviors
Chapter 3 Test – The Psychology of Money
Educator Preparation: Education Strategies & Methods
Introduction to Education Strategies & Methods
7 Segments
Chapter Overview Video – Education Strategies & Methods
Warm-Up Activities for Exploring Educational Philosophies
Why Teaching Strategies Matter: Benefits for Educators and Learners
Warm-up: Exploring Your Teaching Philosophy
Warm-up: Exploring Teaching Strategies
Introduction to Diverse Teaching Philosophies and Methods
Important – The CFEI Test is Practical
Teaching Philosophies
9 Segments
Cognitive Learning: Build Mental Agility and Application
Constructivist: Build Personal Meaning and Empowered Action
Experiential Learning: Learning by Doing and Reflecting
Montessori-inspired Learning: Hands-on, Learner-driven Development
NFEC Learning Model: Consultative Sales Approach
Teaching Philosophies Summary Chart
Key Learning Methods & Techniques of Education Philosophies
10 Segments
Project-based Learning: Solve Real Problems with Purpose
Repetition & Practice: Build Fluency, Memory, and Mastery Over Time
Hands-on, Experiential Tasks: Engage, Experiment, and Reflect
Real-world Relevance: Connect Learning to Life, Work, and Community
Scaffolded Learning: Build Understanding Step-by-step toward Mastery
Digital Literacy: Navigate, Evaluate, and Learn in a Connected World
Learner-driven Growth: Empower with Purpose, Choice, and Motivation
Structured Support: Reinforce Positive Behaviors and Build Consistency
Instructional Strategy Summary Chart
Chapter 4 Test – Education Strategies & Methods
Educator Preparation: Content Knowledge
Introduction to Content Knowledge
2 Segments
Chapter Overview Video – Content Knowledge
Important Notices & CFEI Requirements
Savings, Expenses, & Budgeting: Introduction & Warm-up
1 Segment
Warm-up – Visual Overview
Budgeting Fundamentals
6 Segments
Budgeting Overview
Setting Savings Goals & Creating a Savings Plan
Prioritizing Expenses & Opportunity Cost
Identifying & Reducing Your Expenses
Create Your Budget & Automate
Analyzing Your Budget & Addressing Gaps
Budgeting for Major Expenses
3 Segments
Major Expenses – Automobile
Major Expenses – Renting a Home
Homeownership Budgeting
Account Management: Introduction & Warm-up
2 Segments
Warm-up – Visual Overview
Warm-up – Pre-education Case Study
Banking Fundamentals & Team
4 Segments
Choosing Where to Bank
Banking Essentials & Management
Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards
Building a Trusted Team
Loans & Debt
1 Segment
Warm-up – Visual Overview
Understanding Debt
4 Segments
Types of Debt
Credit Cards
Risk of Debt
How to Pay Off Debt
Loan Qualification & Major Purchases
4 Segments
Loan Fundamentals
Loan Qualification
Automobile Financing
Qualifying for a Home Loan
Credit Profile
2 Segments
Warm-up – Visual Overview
Pre-education Case Studies
Credit Profile Fundamentals
4 Segments
Credit Profile Basics
Benefits & Consequences of Credit
Understanding Your Credit Profile
Access Your Credit Report
Credit Problems and Protection
2 Segments
Addressing Problems with Your Credit
Identity Theft Protection
Income
2 Segments
Warm-up – Visual Education
Pre-education Case Study
Preparing for and Securing Income
3 Segments
Aligning Your Passion with Income Sources
Evaluating Your Income & Skills
Prepare for & Identify Income Opportunities
Strengthening Income Security
2 Segments
Minimizing Income Security Threats
Income Diversification & Multiple Income Streams
Chapter 5 Test – Content Knowledge
Instructional Planning
Introduction to Instructional Planning
4 Segments
Chapter Overview Video – Instructional Planning
Why Instructional Planning Matters
Ideal Instructional Planning Process
Warm-up Activities: Case Study
Foundational Factors Shape Instructional Planning
8 Segments
Age of Learners
Life Stages & Life Events
Unique Learning Styles
Socioeconomic Impact of Learning & Design
Literacy & Numeracy Levels
Cognitive Abilities
Emotional and Physiological Factors that Affect Learning
Foundational Learner Survey Participation
Discovery: Specific Learner Understanding
3 Segments
Information That Helps Us Understand Learners
Discovery Approaches to Understanding the Learner
Organizations & Stakeholder Needs
Define
10 Segments
Video Overview – Defining Outcomes
Defining Outcomes Foundation for Program Design
Tools to Gather Data
Learning Metrics: Content Knowledge
Learning Metrics: Change Readiness
Learning Metrics: Interest, Sentiment
Learning Metrics: Actions & Behavioral Integration
Learning Metrics: Outcomes
General Program Measures: Kirkpatrick Model
Putting it All Together
Design
8 Segments
Backwards Design Process
Consider Program Constraints in Backwards Design
Just-in-time Learning
Standards to Gauge Learning Levels
Delivery Methods
Authenticity & Creativity
Materials Considerations
Lesson Planning Final Step
Chapter 6 Test – Instructional Planning
Program Execution & Learner Experience
Introduction to Program Execution & Learner Experience
4 Segments
Chapter Overview Video – Program Execution & Learner Experience
Warm-up: Learning Experience Case Study
Professional Programming Across All Stages Matters
Important Reminders Through All Phases
Pre-programming
4 Segments
Learner Feedback Loop
Marketing & Registration
Training & Coordination with Stakeholders
Dress Rehearsal Practice Sessions
Program Implementation
9 Segments
Learning Environment: In-person & Virtual
Opening Remarks & Introduction
Learning Culture of Respect, Rigor, & Active Participation
Warm-up Activities
Interactions, Tone, & Authentic Voice
Ongoing Feedback & Modifications, Big Picture Outcome Check-ins
Time Management & Outcome Focus
Addressing Distractions
Closing & Takeaways
Post-programming
4 Segments
Participant Recognition
Additional Training, Accountability, & Support
Ongoing Education
Long-term Outcome Measurements
Recap of the Learner Experience Process
Chapter 7 Test – Program Execution & Learner Experience
Professional Responsibilities & Educator Accountability
2 Segments
Warm-up: Research
Professionalism & Educator Excellence
3 Segments
Developing Skills & Expertise
Building a Professional Image
Compliance: Ethics, Practice, and Professionalism
Financial Educator Standards
5 Segments
Framework for Teaching
Planning & Preparation
Classroom Environment
Instruction
Professional Responsibilities
Documenting Your Results
3 Segments
Maintaining Accurate Records
Case Study Training
Case Study Template
Recap & Test Preparation
Chapter Overview
1 Segment
Systematic Review with Selective Attention
Steps to Complete Your Certification
6 Segments
Testing & Certification Details
Test Preparation Video
Testing Final Preparation & Exam Readiness
Course Feedback Survey & Comments
Final Exam
Optional – Accreditation Pilot Program Submission
Final Test
CFEI Final Exam