Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Leadership
The Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Leadership is a degree programme that prepares graduates for leadership and management roles in the public sector, non-governmental organisations and corporate governance. The programme is offered at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, preparing graduates for careers in public service, policy analysis and organisational leadership.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 168,967 a year at a public institution, Ksh 675,868 for the whole course.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, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cloud Security Engineer, 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, public policy analysis, leadership theory, governance, organisational behaviour, human resource management, public finance, project management, research methods, strategic planning, ethics and accountability, decentralised governance and public sector reform. Students develop competencies in policy formulation, public sector management and leadership practices.
Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, case studies, policy analysis exercises, internships in government departments and research projects. The practical approach ensures graduates can analyse public policy, manage public programmes, lead teams and apply governance principles in real-world administrative settings.
The programme emphasises the development of leadership skills and ethical governance practices, preparing students to address the complex challenges of public administration in Kenya's devolved governance system. Students learn about county government management, public participation, service delivery, accountability frameworks and the integration of technology in public sector operations.
Graduates are equipped to work in county governments, national government ministries, state corporations, non-governmental organisations, international development agencies and private sector governance roles. They play a critical role in ensuring efficient public service delivery, transparent governance and effective leadership in public institutions.
Career opportunities exist in county and national government, state corporations, NGOs, international organisations, political offices and private sector governance departments. Graduates work as administrative officers, policy analysts, governance officers, leadership coordinators and public sector consultants across government and development sectors.
What you study
10 subjects- Public Administration
- Public Policy Analysis
- Leadership Theory
- Governance
- Organisational Behaviour
- Human Resource Management
- Public Finance
- Strategic Planning
- Research Methods
- Ethics and Accountability
Modules
8 in the programmePublic Administration Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of public administration, administrative systems and theories of public management.
Leadership Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Leadership theories, styles, approaches and their application in public sector contexts.
Public Policy Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Public Policy Analysis: Policy formulation, analysis, implementation and evaluation in government. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Public Finance and Budgeting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Public Finance and Budgeting: Public revenue, expenditure management, budgeting processes and fiscal policy. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Governance and Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of good governance, ethics, accountability and transparency in public service.
Organisational Behaviour and HRM
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Organisational dynamics, human resource management and personnel administration in the public sector.
Strategic Planning and Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic Planning and Management: Strategic planning processes, performance management and public sector reform. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Research Methods and Decentralised Governance
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Methods and Decentralised Governance: Research design, devolved governance systems and county government management. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analys...
Specialisations
County Government Management
Focus on devolved governance, county administration and service delivery at the sub-national level. 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 Policy Analysis
Specialisation in policy formulation, analysis, implementation and evaluation. 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.
Leadership and Governance
Focus on leadership theory, ethical governance, accountability and organisational leadership. 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 Financial Management
Specialisation in public budgeting, fiscal policy and financial accountability in government. 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 involves attending public administration lectures, analysing policy case studies, participating in leadership simulations, researching governance frameworks, and discussing current public sector reform initiatives in Kenya.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). | Limited programme specialisation options may be available. |
| Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding. | Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking. |
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
JKUAT 168,967/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). KU Public Policy 153K/yr. Private unverified.
Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. DAAD offers scholarships for governance and public administration students.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarship
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
Undergraduate students in governance and public administration fields
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
Scholarships you could apply for
10 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- 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
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE C+ (Plus) OR A Level with two principal passes; OR a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
How you are assessed
2 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
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.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at JKUAT and aligns with Kenya School of Government standards for public service training.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesGraduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as administrative officers, policy analysts, governance officers and leadership coordinators in county governments, national ministries, NGOs and international organisations.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Embedded Firmware EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Embedded Linux DeveloperTechnology15Low exposure
- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
- Neuromorphic Computing ResearcherScience15Low exposure
- Site Reliability EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Applied Cryptography EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for public finance analysis, budget tracking and administrative data management.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for public administration research and policy data analysis.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Software
Presentation software for policy briefings, governance reports and leadership communication.
R
Software
Programming language for statistical analysis and public policy research.
Google Workspace
Software
Collaboration tools for government communication, document sharing and team coordination.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Public administration is only for government jobs.
Graduates work in government, NGOs, international organisations, private sector governance roles and political offices.
The programme is just about office management.
The programme covers policy analysis, leadership theory, governance, public finance, strategic planning and ethics, providing comprehensive public sector leadership skills.
There are no career opportunities in public administration.
Kenya's devolved governance system has created significant demand for public administration professionals at county and national levels.
Public administration is not a leadership programme.
The programme explicitly includes leadership theory, strategic planning and organisational behaviour as core components, preparing graduates for leadership roles.