Program Design & Schedule

Overview

Program: The Boulder MFT program lasts for three full weeks, and is divided into three 1- week sessions (as reference, you may refer to the 2012 schedule grid to the right). Each day is divided into three blocks as well as optional activities offered after formal class time:

1) Morning Symposium (8:30-10am), followed by coffee break

2) Morning Elective Course (10:30am-1pm, 30 min. coffee break at 11:30am), followed by lunch

3) Afternoon Elective Course (2:30-5:30pm, 30 min. coffee break at 4pm)

4) Optional Special Evening Sessions (5:45pm-7:00pm)

Participants have the opportunity to take up to 7 formal courses out of over 55 courses offered, and to interact with over 60 world-renowned faculty members. In addition, the program features an assortment of after-class round table discussions, panels, and presentations organized by faculty and fellow participants. The daily schedule is intense, stimulating and designed to keep everyone lively and on their feet!

To gain a better understanding of the schedule of courses offered, you can refer to the Boulder MFT course schedule that was offered in the 2012 program (to the right)!

Boulder MFT in French: The Boulder MFT program in French is offered at the same time as the English program. Participants focus on some of the special challenges faced in Francophone countries. There are several opportunities for the English and French speakers to interact and share experiences. The two programs share the core course, several elective courses, and extracurricular sessions and activities. 

Course Formats

1) Morning Annual Boulder Symposium: New Financial Inclusion Paradigms (Mandatory Attendance):

Robert Peck Christen, President of the Boulder Institute, will guide the symposium which is a mandatory activity for all participants of the MFT. Each morning, from 8:30 - 10:00am, Mr. Christen, together with over 25 leading experts in microfinance and financial inclusion, will present a holistic overview of a financial ecosystem that works for the poor. All program participants (English and French programs) will attend this daily symposium. 

2) Morning and Afternoon Elective Courses (Monday to Friday):

Participants take 6 electives during the three week program: 3 one-week Morning Electives (10:30am-1:00pm) and 3 one-week Afternoon Electives (2:30-5:30pm). There are two coffee breaks held during the day: 10am (after the morning symposium and before the morning elective), and at 4:00pm (in the middle of the afternoon elective).

Courses are 5 days, Monday through Friday, with the exception of a few courses that are 10 days.  During each course slot, there are 7 different courses to choose from. Participants who are fluent in French also have the opportunity to take courses offered in the French program.

Note: On the final Friday, there is a special class schedule due to the graduation ceremony. There will be no symposium and both elective courses will be held in the morning.

3) Optional Special Sessions:

Participants have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of stimulating special topic presentations, meetings, and round tables delivered by faculty and participants at lunchtime and during the evenings.  These evening sessions usually run from 5:45pm to 7:00pm, after class and before dinner.  

Boulder MFT Certificate of Completion

At the end of the program, participants will have completed 95 course hours, and receive a certificate recognizing completion of the 2012 Boulder MFT.

Management, Policy, and Development Concentrations

There are three concentrations offered within the program (Management, Policy, or Development) to tailor thee program to the diverse interests and needs of our participants. Participants are required to take at least 4 of the concentration courses (50 course hours). At the end of the program, if these requirements have been fulfilled, participants receive a Boulder MFT Certificate of Completion specifying that they have also completed the Concentration requirements.