Online Personal Finance Institute

for Agricultural Educators

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In partnership with

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Teachers Learn

Personal finance content via a curated collection
of 450+ resources

Real-world

Instructional context for integration into other subjects

Classroom-Ready
Resources

Create a standalone course in personal finance

Zoom
breakout groups

For statewide networking, collaboration, resource sharing, and lesson planning.

National Networking and Collaboration

Live Zoom Classes

7:00-8:30pm ET | Aug 24, Oct 12, Nov 30

Class recordings are also available

Program Description

Part A

Aug. 24 – Oct. 16, 2026

25 Hours of Professional Development (8 Weeks)

Part A Topics:

Economic Decision-Making Skills

Money Values

Financial Goal Setting

Earning Income

Human Capital

Taxes

Budgeting

Reducing Expenses

Spending Decisions

Saving

Banking

Part B

Oct. 26 – Dec. 11, 2026

20 Hours of Professional Development (7 Weeks)

Part B Topics:

Credit

Borrowing & Debt

Bankruptcy

Scams

Identity Theft

Payday Lending

Insurance

Investing

Retirement

Paying for College

Consumer Rights & Responsibilities

Empower students to become better money managers for a more prosperous future!

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The overarching goal of this online Institute is to streamline teachers’ learning of personal finance content by reviewing classroom-ready curricula and resources, including lessons, videos, infographics, PPT slides, simulations, games, etc. That is, personal finance content and instructional strategies are learned simultaneously to reduce instructional preparation time. Vetted by 25 years of experience, this professionally curated, multimedia collection of 450+ resources features the greatest hits in personal finance education. Basic economic concepts and reasoning skills are used as a lens for making more informed and empowered financial decisions. Resources geared toward students in Title I schools included.

This experiential learning Institute is extremely flexible and accessible to teachers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and easily customizable for different learning formats, ranging from cross-curricular integration across subjects to standalone semester courses to meet graduation requirements. Based on the National Standards for Personal Finance Education and state personal finance standards, online modules are self-paced with practical, applied, and reflective assignments that can be reused with students. Live Zoom classes feature breakout groups for nationwide networking, collaboration, and planning. The culminating assignment is a shareable collection of co-created lesson plans for teaching personal finance.

Flexible completion

Flexible completion options include a national cohort on a set schedule or independent study at one’s own pace. Part A and Part B may be completed in any order to earn NAAE Certification, or either Part may be completed individually for professional development hours. NAAE Personal Finance Educator Certification, Certificate of Completion, and Digital Badge included.

Note

This Institute is aligned with the U.S. Personal Finance Certification Examination, equipping teachers with the content knowledge, instructional strategies, curriculum, and resources that they need to teach personal finance and prepare students to pass the exam. Details and the free Exam Manual linked here (PDF).

Registration & Payment

Questions?

Please email Dr. Cheryl Ayers (cheryl42@vt.edu)

$450

for both Parts A & B

$225 for Part A or Part B

45 hours of professional development

Or optional 3 hours of undergraduate or graduate university credit available

Complete the Registration Form