Diploma in Public Administration
The Diploma in Public Administration is a KUCCPS-listed programme, offered at institutions including Moi University and Maseno University, that trains graduates to support the management and administration of government and public-sector organisations.
Students study public management, development administration, public policy, financial accounting and management, human resource management, and project planning, building competence across the core functions of public administration. Skills RequiredPublic ManagementDevelopment AdministrationPublic Policy BasicsFinancial Accounting and ManagementProject Planning and ManagementKey SubjectsIntroduction to Management and AdministrationPublic ManagementDevelopment AdministrationPublic Policy and ManagementFinancial Accounting and ManagementProject Planning and ManagementCertificationsKenya Institute of Management (KIM) MembershipSpecializationsCounty Government AdministrationFocus on devolved government structures and county-level service delivery. NGO and Development AdministrationFocus on administering development programmes and NGO operations.
Kenya's devolved county governments and national ministries need trained administrators to support policy implementation, service delivery, and public financial management, sustaining consistent demand.
Training combines classroom public administration theory with case studies of government and NGO operations, culminating in a project component.
Graduates work as county/national government administrative officers, NGO programme administrators, and public sector support staff, with progression into a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or Policy.
The programme suits students interested in government, policy, and public-sector service delivery who want a broad administrative qualification applicable across ministries, counties, and NGOs.
- Duration
- 2-3 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Private, up to
- Ksh 69,000
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time, Part-time, Weekend
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 35 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
6 subjects- Introduction to Management and Administration
- Public Management
- Development Administration
- Public Policy and Management
- Financial Accounting and Management
- Project Planning and Management
Modules
10 in the programmePublic Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Core concepts and practice of managing public sector organisations for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Administrative Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Legal framework for public administration for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Public Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Policy formulation and analysis as applied to public administration principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Introduction to Management and Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational principles of organisational management and administration for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Development Administration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Administrative approaches to national and local development for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Human Resource Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
HR management in public sector including planning, organising, staffing, and controlling operational activities and resources.
Public Policy and Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Financial Accounting and Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Financial management principles for public sector organisations for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Public Finance
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Government budgeting and finance including bookkeeping, financial statements, and cost analysis for business decision-making.
Project Planning and Management
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Designing and managing public sector or development projects for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
County Government Administration
Focus on devolved government structures and county-level service delivery, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
NGO and Development Administration
Focus on administering development programmes and NGO operations, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Human Resource Management
Focus on public sector HR management, recruitment, performance management, and staff administration within Kenyan civil service and public sector frameworks.
Policy Analysis and Implementation
Focus on public policy analysis, policy implementation, government programme management, and policy evaluation within Kenyan governance and public administration systems.
A day as a student
Days combine public administration theory with case studies of government and NGO operations, group projects on public policy issues, and financial management exercises.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Broadly applicable across government, county administration, and NGO sectors.
- Clear progression into Bachelor's degrees in Public Administration or Policy.
Against it
- Public sector hiring can be competitive and subject to government recruitment cycles.
- Broad generalist focus means differentiation for career growth often requires further specialisation.
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
TVET 67K/yr. Kabarak TVET 69K, Highlands 56K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke, studyinkenya.co.ke)
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; some county governments sponsor in-service staff pursuing this diploma part-time.
Funding options
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C-
- Alternative entry
- KCE Division II, a business-related certificate from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualifications.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across public administration theory units.
Project
Coursework20% of the mark
Final project applying public administration concepts to a real scenario.
Final Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations.
Accreditation
KUCCPS-listed diploma; examined by KNEC or the offering university's TVET/diploma directorate.
Accredited by
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's diploma qualifications framework.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesPublic Administration Officer (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Supports administrative functions at a county or national government office.
NGO Programme Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 48,000
Supports programme administration and reporting for a development organisation.
County Government Support Officer
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 44,000
Supports service delivery functions within a county government department.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Analyses public policy, supports policy implementation, and evaluates government programmes within Kenyan public administration and governance systems.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as county/national government administrative officers, NGO programme administrators, and public sector support staff.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Career Guidance & Labour Market Information CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- School Guidance CounselorEducation17Low exposure
- Geographer (Human & Physical)Social Sciences18Low exposure
- Climatologist / MeteorologistSocial Sciences19Low exposure
- Motor Vehicle MechanicEducation21Low exposure
- Restorative Justice PractitionerSocial Sciences21Low exposure
- School Counsellor / Guidance TeacherEducation23Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for documentation, reports, and presentations.
Microsoft Excel
Productivity
Data analysis, calculations, and project planning.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Public administration only leads to civil service jobs.
Graduates also work for NGOs, international organisations, and private companies that interact heavily with government.
The field is only about paperwork and bureaucracy.
It includes public policy, financial management, and project planning, all directly shaping service delivery outcomes.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Public Administration are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.