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 short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 189,004 a year at a public institution, Ksh 756,016 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 114,450 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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+.
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 programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Programme combines public administration with governance, providing broader career options. | Both offering institutions are private, with no public university option. |
| Governance reforms and devolution create demand for governance professionals. | Programme may overlap significantly with general Public Administration degrees. |
| Offered at two universities, providing some institutional choice. | Career advancement may require postgraduate qualifications or professional certifications. |
| Graduates develop transferable management, analytical, and governance skills valued across sectors. | 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 coursesAnnual 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 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
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.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Mount Kenya University, Lukenya University, Gretsa University.
Including Mount Kenya University, Lukenya University, Gretsa University.
Including Mount Kenya University, Lukenya University, Gretsa University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
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.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesPublic 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- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
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.