Programme Design

The Boulder MFT program lasts for three (3) full weeks, and is divided into three 1-week sessions. 

 Each day is divided into three sections: 

1.  morning core course,
2. morning elective course
3. afternoon elective course.

Participants have the opportunity to take up to 11 formal courses and interact with over 40 faculty members.

In addition, the program will feature an assortment of round table discussions, panels, and presentations organized by faculty and fellow participants after class.

The daily schedule is intense and stimulating and designed to keep everyone buzzing and on their feet!

Core or Plenary Course:  New Paradigms in Microfinance

 Each morning participants will join Boulder Institute Director, Robert Peck Christen (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and Dr. Claudio Gónzalez Vega (The Ohio State University) to discuss as a group high-priority and emerging themes in the field of microfinance today. This daily get-together will serve as a backdrop to the pertinent issues at-hand as participants then break to attend their respective courses. All program participants (English and French programs) will attend this daily forum.  

Electives

There are 8 elective courses to choose from during each morning and afternoon elective time slots.  It is recommended that you review the course information and register for courses mid May when the registration opens in order to get the courses of your choice. 

Each participant will sign up for 6 electives (morning and afternoon of each of the 31-week sessions). On Friday of Week 1, Thursday of Week 2, and Friday of Week 3, participants will be able to sign up for an abridged 2.5 hour version of one of the other full courses. This will allow you to gain an understanding of the most important concepts from the course, and will provide you with additional exposure to other course offerings. Participants will sign up for these abridged courses on Wednesday of each week.

Additionally, on Friday of Week 2 we will feature a “special interest topic forum” that will cover those specific areas of interest provided by faculty and participants alike.

Tracks

The elective courses have been divided into recommended tracks to help facilitate your selection process. The track categories are indicated along side of the class descriptions. You are not required to choose courses within a particular track.

Breaks

 There are 2 main scheduled breaks throughout the day. Both breaks include a light snack that is complimentary. Lunch and dinner are being offered on the ITCILO campus and can be purchased with a meal card.

Participants are encouraged to choose their program of electives as they see best fits their own individual interests.

Assistance in selecting courses is available from qualified program staff, by email at selection@itcilo.org