Accredited Financial Education Program
With its ongoing mission to deliver the top tier of educational rigor and quality, the National Financial Educators Council has carved a niche in the financial education space. Now the NFEC has taken the next step to demonstrate its high quality – becoming an accredited financial education program. The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has awarded the NFEC status as an Accredited Provider, the highest accreditation designation for financial education program development. The NFEC achieved this globally-recognized accreditation by earning top marks across nine program developmental standards.
What Being an Accredited Financial Education Program Means
As an accredited financial education program, the NFEC now has authority to offer IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for its personal finance programming. These CEUs adhere to the Continuing Education and Training Standard posed by the ANSI/IACET.
The nine IACET criteria that define the NFEC as an accredited financial education program are as follows: 1) Organization, Responsibility, & Control; 2) Learning Environment & Support Systems; 3) Planning & Instructional Personnel; 4) Needs Analysis; 5) Learning Outcomes; 6) Content & Instructional Requirements; 7) Assessment of Learning Outcomes; 8) Awarding IACET CEUs & Maintaining Learner Records; and 9) Evaluation of Learning Events. These nine standards are recognized around the world.
NFEC Now Awards CEUs for Financial Education
Becoming recognized as an accredited financial education program means the National Financial Educators Council now may offer CEUs for its learning programs that meet the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET accreditation is well-known across the international community as the top standard for educational programs. Individuals who complete accredited NFEC programming earn CEUs that are recognized by organizations, corporations, and regulatory bodies across the US and around the globe.
“In 1998, the ‘IACET CEU’ designation was born as part of our Accredited Provider Program (which was established in 1991)…the term CEU is commonly used (like Kleenex for tissue). Our IACET CEU ensures that a Standard of learning is in place. Only Accredited Providers, or APs, who have been approved by the IACET Commission are allowed to award IACET CEUs.” https://www.iacet.org/standards/ansi-iacet-2018-1-standard-for-continuing-education-and-training/continuing-education-unit-ceu/about-the-ceu
Background and Process to Achieve Accreditation
The NFEC made a commitment to its objective of earning status as an accredited financial education program almost from day one. We began by creating the first financial education standards to define best practices for both educational development and learner outcomes. From there, all our coursework and materials were designed around those guidelines.
Across the next 10 years, we revamped, upgraded, and incorporated feedback from thousands of learners and educators to refine our materials so they would offer the best possible help for people to work toward financial health. Trevor Stoll, COO of the NFEC, spearheaded the formal application process for attaining the IACET Accredited Financial Education Program designation. The procedure began in late 2020 and Accreditation was awarded in early 2022.
“We went through a rigorous evaluation to qualify for the ANSI/IACET accreditation,” Stoll remarks, “but it was worth the effort. By showing that we meet this gold standard for educational quality, we know that our programming will have maximum benefits for people who want to gain greater financial wellness.”
Looking Forward
As the NFEC moves forward as an accredited financial education program, its mission has intensified and become even more compelling. IACET Accreditation positions the organization to improve more people’s lives with increased financial health. In collaboration with a worldwide team of professionals and advocates, the NFEC offers the top-recognized quality of education, resources, and support to strengthen whole communities with financial wellness.
“Being recognized as an accredited financial education program shows our dedication to top-quality financial wellness education. We feel honored to receive this recognition from an organization as prestigious as the IACET. We look forward to continuing our mission: to help people make qualified financial decisions and confidently take effective financial action that best helps them meet their basic human needs while moving toward fulfilling their personal, family, and global community goals.” ~Vince Shorb, NFEC CEO
The NFEC & IACET Relationship
Current status as an Accredited Financial Education Program enables the NFEC to offer IACET CEUs for its accredited programming, demonstrating its compliance with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
Accreditation establishes a relationship between the NFEC and the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) that allows the NFEC to offer IACET CEUs for its learning events. IACET receives international recognition for its reputation as an educational standards development organization and accrediting body that provides continuing education and training quality assurance.