The American College of Financial Services
Introduction


**The American College of Financial Services** (**The American College**) is a [private](/wiki/Private_university "Private university") [online university](/wiki/Distance_education "Distance education") focused on professional training for financial practitioners and located in [King of Prussia, Pennsylvania](/wiki/King_of_Prussia%2C_Pennsylvania "King of Prussia, Pennsylvania"). It offers several professional certifications and [master's degrees](/wiki/Master%27s_degree "Master's degree").The American College. 2012\. ["Academics"](http://www.theamericancollege.edu/academics). Annually, The American College educates approximately 40,000 students, mainly through [distance education](/wiki/Distance_education "Distance education").
[thumb\|Members can use the CLU designation after their names, as seen in this circa 1950s postcard.](/wiki/File:Homer_E._Turner_%28Chartered_Life_Underwriter%29_Life_Insurance%2C_105_West_Bel_Air_Avenue%2C_Aberdeen%2C_MD_%2887059%29.jpg "Homer E. Turner (Chartered Life Underwriter) Life Insurance, 105 West Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen, MD (87059).jpg")
The institution was founded as **The American College of Life Underwriters** in 1927 by [Solomon S. Huebner](/wiki/Solomon_S._Huebner "Solomon S. Huebner") of the [Wharton School](/wiki/Wharton_School_of_the_University_of_Pennsylvania "Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania") at the [University of Pennsylvania](/wiki/University_of_Pennsylvania "University of Pennsylvania"). Huebner was a professional involved in the development of [economic theory](/wiki/Economics "Economics"). His theory of human life value is used in the field of [insurance](/wiki/Insurance "Insurance"). It was his vision for a college\-level professional education program for [insurance agents](/wiki/Insurance_agent "Insurance agent") that led to the creation of The American College.Stone, Mildred F. 1960\. *The Teacher Who Changed an Industry*. Homewood, IL: Richard D. Irwin, Inc. p. 8\.

Today the college offers professional training to all types of financial practitioners. When the institution began, programs focused exclusively on providing education to [life insurance](/wiki/Life_insurance "Life insurance") professionals. The Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation was the first [credential](/wiki/Credential "Credential") offered by The College.Baird, John. 1997\. *The Power of One*. Bryn Mawr, PA: The American College Press. p. ix. Today The College provides training for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam, The Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation, and the Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) master's degree.

Twenty full\-time faculty members and financial experts work at the campus.The American College. 2012\. ["Industry Recognized Faculty"](http://www.theamericancollege.edu/why-us/industry-recognized-faculty).

The American College campus was bought by the [Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy](/wiki/Jack_M._Barrack_Hebrew_Academy "Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy") in 2007\.Richard Ilgenfritz, "Akiba to head to American College Site" The Main Line Times, (Volume 77, No. 28, July 12, 2007 \- July 18, 2007\) p. 1\-2\.

In May 2019, The American College moved its operational headquarters to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.[The American College of Financial Services Plans Major Move. 2017](https://www.theamericancollege.edu/american-college-financial-services-plans-major-move)


Why might The American College's use of a private university model be beneficial?