Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Governance

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Governance is a four-year degree programme that combines public administration with governance studies. The programme equips graduates with knowledge of administrative theory, governance frameworks, public policy, and public management, preparing them for careers in government, governance institutions, and public service.

The curriculum covers public administration theory, governance, public policy, public finance, human resource management, development administration, research methods, project management, and political economy. Students study both administrative foundations and governance frameworks.

Students develop competencies in public management, policy analysis, governance, financial management, research, and communication. The programme combines lectures, seminars, case studies, and research projects. Students analyse governance systems, study policy processes, and conduct research on public administration topics.

Graduates pursue careers as public administration officers, governance officers, policy analysts, human resource officers, and project officers. They find employment in government, NGOs, international organisations, and governance institutions. Kenya's governance reforms and devolution create demand for professionals skilled in administration and governance.

The programme is offered at Mount Kenya University (KSH 105,000/year, KUCCPS code 1279671) and Kenya Highlands Evangelical University (KSH 114,450/year, KUCCPS code 1169671), both private universities.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 114,450
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Public Administration Theory
Governance
Public Policy
Public Finance
Human Resource Management
Development Administration
Research Methods
Project Management
Political Economy
Democracy and Human Rights

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Public Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of public administration, including bureaucracy, public management, and administrative theory.
Principles of Governance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Governance concepts, frameworks, and principles including transparency, accountability, and participation.
Kenyan Government and Politics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Structure and functioning of Kenya's government, including executive, legislature, judiciary, and devolution.
Public Finance Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Public Finance Management: Government budgeting, revenue mobilisation, and public expenditure management. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Public Policy Process
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Policy formulation, implementation, analysis, and evaluation in the public sector.
Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
HR management practices in government, including recruitment, training, and performance management.
Democracy and Human Rights
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Democratic governance, human rights frameworks, and their application in public administration.
Political Economy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Relationship between politics and economics, including economic policy and governance.
Research Methods
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methodology for public administration, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
Project Management in the Public Sector
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in government settings.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final-year research project on public administration and governance, including field research and dissertation.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised attachment with a government or governance organisation, providing practical experience.

Specialisations

Public Policy and Administration
Focus on policy formulation, implementation, analysis, and evaluation in the public sector. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Governance and Ethics
Focus on governance frameworks, ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability in public service.
Devolved Government Administration
Focus on county government administration, intergovernmental relations, and devolved governance. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Public Finance Management
Focus on government budgeting, financial planning, and public expenditure management. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Community Development and NGO Management
Focus on managing development programmes and NGO operations in governance contexts. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, seminars, and case study analysis. Morning sessions cover public administration theory, governance, or public policy, while afternoons focus on policy analysis, research methods, and group discussions. Students analyse governance case studies, debate ethical issues in public service, and conduct research on governance topics. Group projects involve policy brief preparation, governance analysis, and public administration case studies.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines public administration with governance, providing broader career options.
Governance reforms and devolution create demand for governance professionals.
Offered at two universities, providing some institutional choice.
Graduates develop transferable management, analytical, and governance skills valued across sectors.

Against it

Both offering institutions are private, with no public university option.
Programme may overlap significantly with general Public Administration degrees.
Career advancement may require postgraduate qualifications or professional certifications.
Governance roles may be politically influenced or subject to administrative changes.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 114k

105k at Mount Kenya University114k at Kenya Highlands Evangelical University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 153K, UoN 189K/yr; KHU 114.5K, MKU 105K/yr (educationnewshub/KHU)

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available. Both universities offer internal bursaries for needy students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at Mount Kenya University or Kenya Highlands University.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with appropriate cluster subjects; OR two principal passes and one subsidiary pass at A-Level; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, case study analyses, and seminar presentations during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering public administration, governance, and policy topics.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on public administration and governance, including field research and dissertation.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of supervised attachment performance, including supervisor evaluation and attachment report.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Public Administration Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages public sector programmes and services in government offices.
Governance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Supports governance programmes, ensuring compliance with governance frameworks and ethics standards.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Analyses and develops public policies for government, NGOs, and research institutions.
Human Resource Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages human resources in public sector and NGO organisations.
Project Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Plans and manages projects in government and development organisations.
NGO Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages governance and development programmes in NGOs.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in government, NGOs, and governance institutions. Demand is moderate, driven by governance reforms and devolution.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Spreadsheet software for budget analysis and data management.
SPSS
Data analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software for public administration research.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for document sharing and team coordination.
Microsoft Project
Project management
Project management software for planning and tracking public sector projects.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme is the same as general Public Administration.
This programme has a specific focus on governance frameworks, ethics, and accountability alongside public administration.
Governance graduates can only work in government.
Graduates work in NGOs, international organisations, private sector compliance, and governance consulting.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application.
The programme includes case studies, industrial attachment, and research projects with real-world applications.
There are no jobs in governance.
Governance reforms, devolution, and anti-corruption efforts have created demand for governance professionals.