May 26, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Derek Rayment
Public + Media Relations Manager
402-960-0697, cell
darayment@mccneb.edu
mccneb.edu
MCC lands major approval, becoming the first AFCPE registered community college
Omaha, Neb. - The Metropolitan Community College Financial Counseling program has been approved by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE)® as a Registered Education Program, joining other prestigious four-year schools across the nation. The announcement makes the MCC program the first community college to offer its students a streamlined pathway to the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) certification.
The MCC Financial Counseling program can be completed entirely online, giving students the opportunity to earn a degree remotely while earning transferrable college credit. The program is the latest addition to the MCC Applied Finance Institute, which also includes a CFP board-registered program, a Real Estate program and an Insurance program.
"Given the financial challenges so many households are facing today, this is an important program addition for MCC students and stakeholders. Earning this valued professional credential will provide our students with a career path where they can positively impact the lives of others," said Lori Lothringer, Ph.D., dean of Business at MCC.
MCC students who complete the required curriculum in the Financial Counseling program will now have a chance to sit for a national exam and become an AFC®. It is anticipated that the demand for these financial professionals will continue to grow given the financial challenges many households are facing today. As indicated on the AFCPE website, the abilities of the AFC® include:
- Educate clients in sound financial principles.
- Assist clients in the process of overcoming their financial indebtedness.
- Help clients identify and modify ineffective money management behaviors.
- Guide clients in developing successful strategies for achieving their financial goals.
- Support clients as they work through their financial challenges and opportunities.
- Help clients develop new perspectives on the dynamics of money in relation to family, friends and individual self-esteem.
"I am excited to bring this educational opportunity to MCC students. This will be a nice addition to our Applied Finance Institute and will complement our already existing CFP Board-Registered program. MCC is the first community college that is approved to provide this curriculum and the only educational institution in the country to provide credit to online students. People who are passionate about helping others now have an affordable program they can access from anywhere," said Ashley Peters, MCC Financial Planning program director.
For more information, contact Ashley Peters at adpeters1@mccneb.edu.
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Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest postsecondary institution in the state. MCC serves more than 40,000 unique credit and noncredit students.