The College for Financial Planning—a Kaplan Company, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, has launched an ETFs & Portfolio Construction Certificate Program for financial advisors, in collaboration with iShares® by BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset managers. ETFs (or exchange traded funds) provide access to a wide range of markets, allowing investors to diversify their portfolios more efficiently than ever before. Like a stock, they trade on exchange, but offer the ability to track broad market performance, pinpoint precise exposures, or generate alpha. ETFs can be utilized to implement both longer-term, strategic allocations as well as more short-term, tactical exposures within investment portfolios.

In 2024, the U.S. ETF industry experienced unprecedented growth, with more than 650 new ETFs launched as of December 2024, surpassing the previous year's record by more than 150. Additionally, in 2024, net inflows reached approximately $1.1 trillion, breaking the previous record of $901 billion set in 2021.

The new certificate program is designed to equip financial advisors with comprehensive resources and tools to have more informed conversations around the opportunity that ETFs might bring to their clients' portfolios. It covers an understanding of ETF fundamentals, highlights the global trends transforming the industry, and how ETFs can be used to develop a broad range of diversified investment portfolios that pursue client needs. The on-demand course is available through the College’s state-of-the art learning platform that students have up to 120 days to complete.

“ETFs have revolutionized how investors build portfolios and have increasingly become the preferred vehicle for many,” said Daniel Prince, U.S. head of iShares product consulting at BlackRock. “Product innovation and investor education is at the core of how we empower investors with choice and easy access to help them achieve financial well-being. We are excited to partner with Kaplan to help financial advisors deepen their knowledge of different investment strategies and how they can be implemented in portfolios.”

“Kaplan and BlackRock worked together to make this program available because of a shared commitment to education and investor advocacy,” said Dirk Pantone, president of the College. “The program aims to provide financial advisors with the right tools, education, and resources to have better conversations about ETFs with their clients. Financial advisors who complete this course will be better positioned to unlock opportunities for investors by guiding them through what exchange traded product best fits their risk/return preferences.”

Learn more about the course and enroll by visiting Kaplan's ETF Education Certificate page.

Reporters interested in writing about this new certificate program can contact russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.

About the College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company

Founded in 1972, the College for Financial Planning^®—A Kaplan Company provides accessible and flexible degree, non-degree, and continuing professional education programs to students nationwide. Shortly after its founding, the College introduced the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, which is now the world's most recognized and respected financial planning credential with more than 100,000 certified professionals. The College for Financial Planning is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. More than 200,000 students have graduated from the College’s programs. For more information, visit www.cffp.edu.

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and $4.2 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | X: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

Important Information

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

Diversification and asset allocation may not protect against market risk or loss of principal.

Buying and selling shares of ETFs may result in brokerage commissions.

There can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares of an ETF will develop or be maintained.

The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and are not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective.

BLACKROCK and iSHARES are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners. BlackRock is not affiliated with The College for Financial Planning, a Kaplan Company.

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)

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The College for Financial Planning—a Kaplan Company has launched an ETFs & Portfolio Construction Certificate Program for financial advisors, in collaboration with iShares® by BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset managers.