College of the Canyons officials have established a new educational partnership with the American College to begin offering a variety of financial planning certificate programs at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center this fall.

Dedicated to providing innovative training and development services for financial services professionals, The American College has served as a valued business partner to banks brokerage firms, insurance companies and other organizations for more than 83 years.

“We are thrilled to have The American College join the University Center family of partners,” said Barry Gribbons, COC assistant superintendent, vice president institutional development, technology and online services. “They are a nationwide leader in insurance and financial services education and will be a great complement to College of the Canyons’ insurance program.

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“Furthermore, there couldn’t be a better time to offer these programs right here in Santa Clarita, as many people are looking for new training programs that lead to productive careers.”

Programs to be offered by The American College at the University Center this fall include Chartered Financial Consultant®, Financial planning certification curriculum, Chartered Life Underwriter®, and Chartered Advisor for Senior Living®.

Additional program offerings yet to be scheduled will include Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, and Master of Science in Financial Services.

“There has never been a better time to become a personal financial advisor. Millions of boomers are expected to retire during the next 10 years and need expert advice in order to achieve financial security. That’s one of the reasons why the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of personal financial advisors will grow much faster than average during the coming decade,” stated Steve Tarr, senior vice president, The American College.

“Individuals interested in achieving success in this growing career field would be wise prepare themselves through educational programs like those offered at The American College and College of the Canyons,” added Tarr.

Cited as the college’s solution to the lack of upper division, graduate school and continuing education programs in the area, the University Center was established with a goal to increase student access to advance degrees by forging partnerships with surrounding four-year colleges and universities. Those institutions then make their academic programs available to students through courses offered at College of the Canyons.

With the University Center building now entering its second year, college officials expect to be continually adding new courses and programs to the lineup of available educational opportunities.

Community members are invited to attend a Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center open house from 4 to 7 p.m. August 19. The event will provide prospective students with information about the various programs and degree options offered by the college’s partner institutions.

For more information about the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center or to view a lineup of university partners and degree and scertificate programs, click here, or call (661) 362-5474.

For more information about The American College, click here.