Undergraduate Programs
CURRICULUM AND COURSE SPECIFICATION
FOR
NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN MICROFINANCE AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
PLOT B, BIDA ROAD, P M B 2239, KADUNA, NIGERIA.
NOVEMBER, 2017.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.0 TITLE OF THE PROGRAMME
The programme is National Diploma in Microfinance and Enterprise Development.
2.0 GOAL OF THE PROGRAMME
The goal of the National Diploma (ND) in Microfinance and Enterprise Development programme is to produce diplomates with sound theoretical, practical and operational knowledge and skills to effectively manage the microfinance industry, with a view to contributing meaningfully to global efforts at alleviating poverty through the provision of financial services to the active poor and to small and medium scale enterprises.
3.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The objectives of the ND Microfinance and Enterprise Development programme are to:
- develop the capacity of microfinance institutions (MFIs) to enhance access to innovative products, markets and services.
- integrate the different approaches to microfinance and enterprise development issues into a common framework for understanding the origin, effects and solutions to microfinance problems.
- produce competent manpower who are capable of handling microfinance and enterprise development issues in Africa and globally.
- educate the students on the dynamic nature of microfinance to enable them gain significant, valid and challenging research experience.
- help students in understanding the problems and available methods of developing and implementing microfinance policies that are geared towards fast tracking the pace of the country’s economic development.
- provide foundation for direct employment in microfinance institutions, local and international development agencies, public and private sectors and consultancies.
4.0 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS INTO THE PROGRAMME
NATIONAL DIPLOMA (ND)
The academic requirements for admission into the ND Microfinance and Enterprise Development programme are:
Five (5) credit passes in Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), W.A.S.C, NECO, GCE (O’ level) or its equivalent in English Language, Mathematics and any of Economics, Business Methods, Principles of Accounts, Commerce, and any other two subjects obtained at not more than two sittings.
- Candidates must have obtained five (5) credits in SSCE, WASC, NECO, GCE (O’ Level) including English Language and Mathematics and any two of Economics, Business Methods, Principles of Accounts, Commerce, Geography, Government and any other one subject obtained at not more than two sittings.
- A Pass in the JAMB/UTME examination which is conducted annually
5.0 PROGRAMME DURATION:
The ND programme runs for two academic sessions of two semesters each (four semesters).
6.0 CURRICULUM
6.1 The curriculum is structured into four semesters of classroom, studio and other field activities. Each semester of institutional based activities shall be for a duration of 17 weeks distributed as follows:
(i.) 15 contact weeks of teaching, i.e. theory, practical exercises, quizzes, tests, etc.; and
(ii.) 2 weeks for examination and registration
6.2 The curriculum of the programme consists of three main components viz:
i) General Studies Courses
ii) Foundation Courses
iii) Professional Courses
The General Studies component includes courses in General Sciences, English Language/Communication, Entrepreneurship Development and Computer Studies.
The General Education Courses shall account for not more than 10-15% of the total contact hours for the programme.
Foundation Courses: Research Methods, Law courses etc. The number of hours for the foundation courses shall be between 10-15% of the total contact hours for the programme.
Professional Courses are specialised core courses, which give the student the theory and practical skills he/she needs to practice in his/her field of specialisation at the technical level.
Those specialised core courses account for between 60-70% of the total contact hours of the programme.
7.0 PROJECT
Every ND student is required to successfully complete a project in the field of Microfinance and Enterprise Development during his/her final year on the programme. Adequate project supervision/assessment should be done by qualified lecturers.
8.0 EVALUATION
For the purpose of awarding the National Diploma (ND) in Microfinance and Enterprise Development Certificate, evaluation of the student's work shall include: examinations, project and course work (tests, quizzes, practical etc.). The weighting of each of the components of the evaluation system shall be prescribed by the National Board for Technical Education and the institutions running the programme.
9.0 CONDITIONS FOR THE AWARD OF THE NATIONAL DIPLOMA
9.1 The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) shall accredit the ND programme in Microfinance and Enterprise Development before the award of the diploma certificate. Details about the process of accrediting programmes for the award of National Diploma shall be in line with guidelines from the Executive Secretary, (NBTE), Plot B, Bida Road, P.M.B 2239, Kaduna Nigeria or www.nbte.gov.ng.
9.2 The institution will award the National Diploma to candidates who successfully completed the programme after passing the prescribed coursework, examination, and diploma project. Such candidates should have completed between 72-80 semester credit units as prescribed in the programme.
9.3 The National Diploma (ND) Microfinance and Enterprise Development shall be awarded to only persons who have satisfied all conditions for the award of the certificate as laid down by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the institution in which the programme is offered.
10.0 CLASSIFICATION/GRADING SYSTEM OF DIPLOMAS:
National Diploma (ND) shall be based on a total scale of 4 points classified into the following categories:
Distinction - CGPA of 3.50 and above
Upper Credit - CGPA of 3.00 – 3.49
Lower Credit - CGPA of 2.50 – 2.99
Pass - CGPA of 2.00 – 2.49
11.0 ACCREDITATION OF PROGRAMMES
This programme shall be accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
12.0 GUIDANCE NOTES FOR TEACHERS OF THE PROGRAMME
12.1 The curriculum is drawn in course units. This is in keeping with the provision of the National Policy on Education, which stresses the need to introduce semester credit unit to enable a student who wishes to transfer the units already completed in an institution of similar standard from which he is transferring.
12.2 In designing the units, the principles of the modular system by product has been adopted, thus making each of the professional modules, when completed, provide the student with technical operative skills, which can be used for employment purposes.
12.3 As the success of the credit unit system depends on the articulation of programmes in the institutions and industry, the curriculum content has been written in behavioural objectives, so that it is clear to all, the expected performance of the student who successfully complete the programme.
12.4 The teaching of the theory and practical work should, as much as possible, be integrated. Practical exercises especially those in professional courses and laboratory work should, as much as possible, be integrated to a ratio of 70:30.