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Social Sciences

Diploma in Governance and Ethics

The Diploma in Governance and Ethics is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in public governance, ethical leadership, county governance, accountability and integrity management. Offered at The East African University, the programme prepares students for careers supporting ethical governance in Kenya's public sector, county governments and civil society organisations.

Duration
1 year
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 67,189
Ksh 67,189 total
Job market
Low
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 67,189 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 1 year, full-time, blended learning, 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 principles of governance, public administration, county governance and devolution, ethics and morality in public service, leadership ethics, anti-corruption frameworks, accountability and transparency, public policy, civic education, human rights, conflict management, research methods, communication skills and industrial attachment. Students develop both analytical and practical governance skills.

Kenya's devolved governance system has created demand for professionals trained in governance, ethics and accountability at both national and county levels. The programme responds to the need for qualified personnel who can promote ethical conduct, support governance systems and implement accountability frameworks in public institutions and civil society.

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, case studies, field visits, research projects, group discussions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in governance support, civic education and accountability monitoring through attachment at county governments, NGOs or governance institutions.

Graduates pursue careers as governance assistants, ethics officers, civic education officers, county governance assistants and administrative officers in county governments, national government ministries, NGOs and civil society organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Governance or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have an interest in governance, public service and ethics. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in governance, public administration and civil society.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Principles of Governance and Public Administration
  • County Governance, Devolution and Public Policy
  • Ethics, Morality and Leadership in Public Service
  • Anti-Corruption, Accountability and Transparency
  • Civic Education, Human Rights and Conflict Management
  • Research Methods and Communication Skills
  • Governance Institutions and Frameworks
  • Industrial Attachment and Governance Project

Modules

4 in the programme

  • Principles of Governance and Public Administration

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers governance principles, public administration, democratic governance, government structures, public sector management and governance theories.

  • County Governance and Devolution

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers Kenya's devolved government system, county government structures, county assemblies, intergovernmental relations, county planning and public participation.

  • Ethics, Leadership and Anti-Corruption

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers ethics in public service, moral philosophy, leadership ethics, anti-corruption frameworks, integrity systems, transparency and accountability mechanisms.

  • Civic Education, Human Rights and Industrial Attachment

    Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore

    Covers civic education, human rights, conflict management, communication skills, research methods, plus industrial attachment at a county government, NGO or governance institution.

Specialisations

  • County Governance

    Focuses on county government operations and devolution for careers as county governance assistants.

  • Ethics and Integrity

    Specialises in ethics, integrity and anti-corruption for careers as ethics officers.

  • Civic Education

    Focuses on civic education and public participation for careers as civic education officers.

  • Public Policy

    Specialises in public policy and governance for careers in policy support roles.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on governance principles or county governance, followed by a seminar on ethics or anti-corruption frameworks. Afternoon sessions may include a case study on accountability, a group discussion on civic education, or a workshop on conflict management. Students also work on governance projects and prepare for industrial attachment.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's devolved governance system has created demand for governance professionals at county level.The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
The programme is short (1 year) and affordable, providing quick entry into governance-related roles.Job opportunities specifically titled 'governance assistant' are limited, with many roles combined with administration or compliance functions.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Governance or related degree programmes.—

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
Public60k to 67k
60k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (TVET)67k at Eldoret National Polytechnic

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

MMUST TVET 60K/yr, TVET std 67,189/yr (mmust.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. TEAU may offer sponsorships and scholarships from time to time.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

  • HELB Loan

    LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Scholarships you could apply for

7 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C-minimum entry
Alternative entry

Certificate in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including The East African University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Technical University of Mombasa.

May 20273 institutions

Including The East African University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Technical University of Mombasa.

September 20273 institutions

Including The East African University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Technical University of Mombasa.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Written examination30% of the mark

    Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering governance, ethics, county governance and anti-corruption.

  • Coursework Assignments

    Assignment30% of the mark

    Assessment of essays, case studies, presentations and group projects on governance and ethics topics.

  • Governance Research Project

    Project40% of the mark

    A research project on a governance, ethics or accountability topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.

  • Industrial Attachment Report

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a county government, NGO or governance institution.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at The East African University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Governance Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Supports governance programmes in county governments and NGOs, assists with policy implementation, public participation and accountability monitoring.

  • Ethics Officer

    Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 140,000

    Promotes ethical conduct in organisations, develops ethics policies, conducts ethics training and supports integrity systems.

  • Civic Education Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Delivers civic education programmes, promotes public participation in governance and supports community awareness on rights and governance.

  • County Governance Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Supports county government operations, assists with governance processes, public participation and accountability at the county level.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as governance assistants, ethics officers and civic education officers in county governments, NGOs and civil society organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Governance and ethics is just about morality.

    The programme covers public administration, county governance, devolution, accountability systems, anti-corruption frameworks, civic education and public policy, providing practical governance skills.

  • There are no jobs in governance and ethics.

    Kenya's devolved government system has created opportunities in county governments, NGOs, civil society organisations and governance institutions for trained governance personnel.

  • This is the same as a public administration diploma.

    While related, this programme has a stronger focus on ethics, integrity, anti-corruption and accountability, complementing the governance and public administration content.

  • Governance and ethics is only for government workers.

    Graduates work in county governments, NGOs, civil society, private sector compliance roles and international development organisations.

Further reading

Read next