Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Development Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Development Studies is a four-year interdisciplinary degree programme that prepares students for development administration and practice. The programme combines socio-economic development with good governance principles, equipping graduates to play leading roles in the development process of society.

The curriculum covers development theory, development policy, project management, governance, strategic management, resource mobilisation, humanitarian operations, community development, and research methods. Students explore both theoretical frameworks and practical approaches to development.

Students develop competencies in strategic planning, project management, policy analysis, resource management, community engagement, and ethical leadership. The programme combines lectures, seminars, fieldwork, and project assignments. Students analyse development challenges, design intervention strategies, and engage with communities and development organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as development officers, project coordinators, programme managers, policy analysts, and humanitarian workers. They find employment in government departments, NGOs, international development agencies, faith-based organisations, and community-based organisations across Kenya and the wider East African region.

The programme is offered at Marist International University College (private, approximately KSH 151,000 per year) in Karen, Nairobi. MIUC is a Catholic institution affiliated with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and accredited by the Commission for University Education. The programme is rooted in Christian values and emphasises ethical development practice.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ or a KNEC diploma in strategic development or a related field from a recognised institution.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 175,950
Private, up to: Ksh 151,000
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Development Theory
Development Policy
Project Management
Governance
Strategic Management
Resource Mobilisation
Humanitarian Operations
Community Development
Research Methods
Ethical Leadership

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Development Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Development Studies: Foundational concepts, theories, and paradigms of development. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Development Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Development Policy: Analysis of national and international development policies and frameworks. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Governance and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Governance and Development: Principles of good governance, accountability, and their role in development. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Strategic Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic Management: Strategic planning and management approaches for development organisations. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Project Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Project Management: Design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Resource Mobilisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Resource Mobilisation: Fundraising, grant writing, and financial resource management for development. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Humanitarian Operations
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Humanitarian Operations: Emergency response, disaster management, and humanitarian programme delivery. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Research Methods
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methodology for development studies, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
Community Development
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Community Development: Community-level development interventions and participatory approaches. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Ethical Leadership in Development
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical Leadership in Development: Ethical principles and Christian values in development practice and leadership. Covers leadership theories, organisational behaviour, and strategic decision-making.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a development studies topic, including dissertation.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised attachment with a development organisation, applying theory to practice.

Specialisations

Development Administration
Focus on public sector development management, policy implementation, and 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.
Project Management
Focus on designing, implementing, and evaluating development projects. 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.
Humanitarian Operations
Focus on emergency response, disaster management, and humanitarian programme delivery. 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
Focus on grassroots development, community mobilisation, and participatory approaches. 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.
Policy Analysis
Focus on development policy formulation, analysis, and advocacy. 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.
Resource Management
Focus on financial management, resource mobilisation, and budgeting for development. 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 project work. Morning sessions cover development theory, governance, and strategic management, while afternoons focus on project planning, policy analysis, and community engagement. Students analyse case studies, design development interventions, and participate in group projects. Fieldwork and industrial attachment provide practical experience with development organisations and communities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Interdisciplinary programme combining development theory with practical management skills.
Programme emphasises ethical development practice rooted in Christian values.
Graduates can pursue diverse careers in government, NGOs, and international agencies.
Small class sizes enable personalised attention and interactive learning.

Against it

Only offered at one private institution, limiting institutional choice.
Programme is not listed in KUCCPS, limiting government sponsorship opportunities.
Fee data is based on 2016 structure and may have increased significantly.
Salaries in the development sector are generally moderate compared to corporate roles.

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 176k

153k at Maseno University176k at JKUAT

Private151k to 151k

151k at Marist International University College151k at Marist International University College

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

Marist ~151,000/yr (2018 fee). Public: Development Studies 153K-175.9K/yr at JKUAT, Kisii, Maseno (KUCCPS)

MIUC offers internal scholarships and bursaries for needy students, consistent with its Catholic values mission. HELB loans are available for eligible students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
MIUC Scholarships
Catholic Church Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
MIUC Internal Scholarships
University scholarshipKenyan
Registered students demonstrating academic excellence or financial need at MIUC.
Church and Denominational Scholarships
Religious bursaryKenyan
Students affiliated with the Catholic Church demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
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+ or equivalent; OR KNEC diploma in strategic development or a related field from a recognised institution; OR advanced diploma in strategic development or its equivalent; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by MIUC Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, project proposals, and seminar presentations.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering development theory, policy, and practice.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on a development studies topic, including dissertation.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of supervised attachment performance and 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. MIUC is affiliated with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

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. MIUC is affiliated with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Implements and manages development programmes in NGOs and government.
Project Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Coordinates development projects, managing implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Programme Manager
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages development programmes in NGOs, overseeing planning and delivery.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Analyses development policies for government, think tanks, or international agencies.
Humanitarian Worker
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Delivers humanitarian and emergency response programmes in crisis-affected areas.
Community Development Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages community development programmes at county or constituency level.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as development officers, project coordinators, and programme managers in NGOs and government. Demand is moderate with opportunities in the development sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for project proposals, reports, and presentations.
Logical Framework Approach
PlanningPrimary
Planning framework for designing, implementing, and evaluating development projects.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for document sharing and team coordination.
SPSS
Data analysis
Statistical analysis software for research and project evaluation.
Asana
Project management
Project management tool for tracking development project tasks and milestones.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Development studies is just about charity and volunteering.
Development studies is a professional discipline involving strategic planning, project management, and policy analysis.
Graduates can only work in NGOs.
Graduates work in government, international agencies, private sector, and faith-based organisations.
The programme is only for people interested in community work.
The programme covers development administration, governance, humanitarian operations, and policy analysis.
Development studies has limited career prospects.
Kenya's development sector is growing with opportunities in government, NGOs, and international organisations.