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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 134,378 to Ksh 201,567 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 69,000 a year at a private one.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 2-3 years, full-time, part-time, weekend, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 30 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Broadly applicable across government, county administration, and NGO sectors. | Public sector hiring can be competitive and subject to government recruitment cycles. |
| Clear progression into Bachelor's degrees in Public Administration or Policy. | 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.
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
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- 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
- Komaza Scholarship Program
RollingPartialKomaza
KES 50,000 to 150,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCE Division II, a business-related certificate from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualifications.
When it next starts
Taught at 30 institutionsIncluding Tharaka University, Africa Nazarene University, Kenya Highlands Evangelical University.
Including Tharaka University, Africa Nazarene University, Kenya Highlands Evangelical University.
Including Tharaka University, Africa Nazarene University, Kenya Highlands Evangelical University.
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
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's diploma qualifications framework.
KUCCPS-listed diploma; examined by KNEC or the offering university's TVET/diploma directorate.
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- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low 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.