Staying financially healthy is important regardless of economic climate. To provide financial health counseling, one must have a strong knowledge of core financial and credit concepts. This course will prepare you for a career in financial counseling as an independent counselor or a consultant to other businesses supporting individuals.
You will learn skills that can applied to counseling disciplines such as housing counselor, student loan counselor, or financial coach. Upon successful completion of this course, you will earn a Certified Financial Health Counselor designation from the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors. Earning this designation establishes that you have achieved a standard of excellence in training for the credit counseling, coaching, or personal finance industry.
I. The Defining Role of Financial Counselor
- The Components of Financial Well-Being
- Establishing the Client/Counselor Relationship
- Rapport Building
- Poverty, Culture and Socioeconomic Variables
- Active Listening
- Asking the Right Questions
II. Taking Control of Finances
- The Problem-Solving Process
- Where the Client is Now
- Where the Client Wants to Go
- How the Client will Get There
III. Demystifying Consumer Credit
- Banking Basics
- Credit Basics
- Choosing Credit Wisely
- Using Credit Wisely
- Understanding Credit Reports
- Credit Scoring
IV. Understanding and Dealing with Debt
- Getting Into Debt
- Debt Collection
- The Consequences of Unpaid Debt
- Getting Out of Debt
- Bankruptcy
V. Financial Counselor Today
- Ethics
- Consumer Resources
- Consumer Protection Legislation
- Housing I
- Housing Part II
- Housing Part III
- Student Financial Aid
- Retirement Planning
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac device.
- Computer must have stable Internet access.
- Speakers and video capabilities are required for viewing lecture videos.
- Access to webcam for final exam proctoring.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows XP or later.
- Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
Bonnie Canty is an attorney licensed in five states: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York. She obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from Hofstra School of Law and practices general law through her firm ABC Law, PLLC. She has been hired by several businesses and organizations to train, coach, and consult. Canty currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Society of Financial and Career Counseling Professionals and has been a Certified Financial Counselor for almost two decades.
1. Can I register for courses if I am an international student?
Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country’s regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.
2. Does this course prepare for a certification?
Yes, by passing the final exam of the course you will be a certified financial health counselor.
3. When can I start this course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
4. How long does it take to complete this course?
After you register, you will receive (6) months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.
5. What if I don't have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?
If you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee will be charged. If you are funded through a third-party organization, approval may also be required.
6. What kind of support will I receive?
The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also be assigned a Student Advisor for academic support.
7. What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.
8. Am I guaranteed a job?
ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.
9. Can I get financial assistance?
ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. To learn more about financial assistance, click here.
10. How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us.”