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Professional Designations

LUTC and FSS Programs

Interested in working toward any of these designations?

Contact:
The American College
800-992-4352
TheAmericanCollege.edu

Professional designations signal a commitment to your career while representing accomplishment and expertise within the insurance and financial services community. Through a longstanding partnership with The American College, NAIFA offers classroom training for the LUTC Fellow (LUTCF) designation and the Financial Services Specialist (FSS) designation. In addition, the Horizons program allows you to complete the CFP® Certification Curriculum, while earning six courses toward the ChFC® and CLU® designations.Invest in your future by earning a professional designation through NAIFA and The American College.

The American CollegeAre you interested in signing up for an LUTCF or FSS Course but have some questions about the program? Take a look at our LUTC and FSS Programs FAQ to understand the program and your options.

You may also download the NAIFA and The American College Partnership FAQ document that will help answer questions about the new partnership. 

LUTC Programs

LUTC Fellow (LUTCF)

Successful insurance and financial services careers are deeply rooted in product knowledge and effective sales skills. The LUTCF curriculum combines product-focused education with hands-on sales training to help newer advisors thrive in a competitive industry. Courses are taught by trained moderators in a classroom setting and focus on role-playing exercises, sales planning activities and action projects. Students benefit from other’s input and the opportunity for networking. They are able to apply their knowledge, see an immediate improvement in their practice and increase sales immediately. To earn the LUTCF designation, one must successfully complete 300 designation credits (or 5 courses) and one Ethics course – and be a NAIFA member in good standing during conferment year. Courses in the LUTCF Program are either in an 8-week or 12-week format.

New: Financial Services Specialist (FSS)

Modeled after the LUTCF curriculum, each course is delivered at the local level in a live classroom instructional format with a qualified moderator. The FSS curriculum consists of six courses - three required and three are electives. Topics in the new designation program include understanding the financial services market and client life-cycle, introductory financial planning concepts (Estate, Financial, Investment and Retirement Planning), introductory financial product knowledge (Investments, Annuities, Insurance) and communications skills. Once an individual has earned the FSS, they will be required to complete an American College approved ethics seminar every two years offered through their local NAIFA Association Chapter.

New: NAIFA-sponsored FSS Classes — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

CFP, ChFC, and CLU Programs

Certified Financial Planner (CFP™)

The CFP™ designation is a widely recognized financial advising credential among consumers and is awarded to those who have met its rigorous educational standards and agreed to the CFP Board Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Through Horizons, a program offered by The American College, NAIFA members can complete the CFP certification curriculum which will allow them to sit for the CFP certification examination administered by the CFP Board of Standards. Horizons is presented in a live study-group environment with lectures on DVD by the same faculty who write the textbooks.

Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

The ChFC is a professional in the field of life insurance and financial advising. To receive the designation, an individual must successfully complete a broad program covering several financial services-related subjects. The eight program courses teach planning in the tax, insurance, business, retirement and investment fields. In order to receive the ChFC, individuals must meet specified experience requirements and ethical standards, and agree to comply with The American College Code of Ethics and Procedures. Students completing The American College's CFP™ courses also earn credits toward their ChFC.

Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)

A CLU is a professional advisor in all of the areas of business and family financial security that are encompassed by life insurance. In the United States, The American College is the accredited institution that awards this designation, as well as the ChFC. To become a CLU, an individual must successfully complete a comprehensive course of study and demonstrate competence by passing a series of eight, college-level examinations in several subject areas including: life insurance, pensions, taxation, finance, economics and business, and estate planning. Rigid ethical and experience requirements also must be met.

LUTC and FSS Programs FAQ

How do I register for an LUTCF/FSS course?

Contact The American College Association Marketing department:

Phone: 800-992-4352 (Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm eastern time)
Email: assocation.marketing@theamericancollege.edu
Website: www.theamericancollege.edu

Which program should I pursue – LUTCF or FSS?

The LUTCF and FSS programs share many common courses. The key difference is that the FSS program includes two required financial planning courses (FA 262 and FS 263) which are not available in the LUTCF program.

How many courses are required in the programs?

You must complete a total of six courses to earn the LUTCF or FSS designation. More information on the specific courses and course requirements is available on our Programs of Study page.

How are courses delivered?

LUTCF and FSS courses are taught in classrooms or online by experienced moderators. Our moderators bring years of industry knowledge to their classes, which feature a variety of role-planning exercises, sales planning projects, action projects, readings, and class discussion. The College works with local NAIFA associations as well as agency managers to organize classes at anytime throughout the year.

How long does it take to complete a class?

All LUTCF and FSS classes last eight weeks followed by an examination.

What is the tuition cost for LUTCF/FSS courses and what does it include?
The tuition cost for a LUTCF/FSS course is $399 plus $15.00 per course for shipping and handling of materials. This cost includes your classroom instruction, textbooks, audio reviews and course syllabus.

Are there additional fees that I am required to pay as a new student?
If you are taking your first course with The American College, you will be charged a one-time, non-refundable New Student Fee of $125.00. This fee covers the cost of setting up student records which enables the College to track your progress.

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