Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Evaluation of Educational Programmes

The Doctor of Philosophy in Evaluation of Educational Programmes is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Education. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on educational programme evaluation, including evaluation design, assessment of educational interventions, monitoring and evaluation systems, and evidence-based education policy, contributing to improved educational quality and accountability in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced evaluation theory, programme evaluation methods, educational measurement, research methodology, statistics for evaluation, and education policy analysis. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent evaluation research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to educational programme evaluation.

Kenya's education sector is undergoing significant reforms including the CBC, donor-funded education programmes, and NGO interventions requiring rigorous evaluation. The programme addresses national education priorities under Vision 2030 and the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme by training researchers who can evaluate education programmes, inform policy with evidence, and strengthen accountability in education.

Teaching methods include lectures, evaluation research projects, field evaluation of education programmes, statistical analysis, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to university education research resources and conduct evaluation research in schools, Ministry of Education, and NGO education programmes.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, evaluation researchers, M&E specialists, education consultants, and policy analysts in universities, the Ministry of Education, donor agencies, NGOs, and international education organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in education, evaluation, educational research, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in educational programme evaluation.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 320,000
Private, up to: Ksh 310,200
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 6 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Evaluation Theory and Models
Programme Evaluation Methods
Educational Measurement
Research Methodology
Statistics for Evaluation
Education Policy Analysis
Thesis Research
Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
Qualitative Evaluation
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Evaluation Theory and Models
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced evaluation theories including CIPP, logic models, theory-driven evaluation, and realist evaluation approaches
Programme Evaluation Theory and Models
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theory and models of programme evaluation, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Programme Evaluation Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Methods for evaluating education programmes including experimental, quasi-experimental, and mixed-methods evaluation designs
Educational Assessment and Measurement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Assessment and measurement in education, covering assessment design, evaluation methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and quality assurance processes.
Educational Measurement and Assessment
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced measurement theory and assessment methods for evaluating educational outcomes including test design and psychometrics
Monitoring and Evaluation in Education
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
M&E in education programmes, covering assessment design, evaluation methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and quality assurance processes.
Research Methodology for Evaluation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods for evaluation including causal inference, counterfactual analysis, and threats to validity
Quality Assurance in Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Quality assurance for education, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Design and management of M&E systems for education programmes including indicators, data collection, and reporting frameworks
Evaluation Research Methods
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methods for evaluation, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Qualitative Evaluation Methods
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Qualitative methods for evaluation including case studies, focus groups, participatory evaluation, and qualitative data analysis
Educational Measurement and Psychometrics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Psychometrics and measurement, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

Specialisations

Curriculum Development Research
Specialization in Curriculum Development Research, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Health Education Research
Specialization in Health Education Research, preparing graduates for careers such as health-educator.
Public Health and Education Policy
Specialization in Public Health and Education Policy, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.
Education Data Analysis
Specialization in Education Data Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as education-data-analyst-junior.
Education Policy Analysis
Specialization in Education Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as education-policy-analyst.
Academic Research in Education
Specialization in Academic Research in Education, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Research on M&E in education
Quality Assurance
Research on quality assurance in education
Programme Evaluation
Research on educational programme evaluation
Educational Assessment
Research on educational assessment and measurement

A day as a student

A typical day combines evaluation research design with data analysis from education programme evaluations, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend education research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with the Ministry of Education and NGOs for evaluation fieldwork.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for M&E expertise in Kenya's education sector
Kenya's education quality concerns create strong demand
Research directly impacts education quality and policy
Opportunities for international collaboration through World Bank and UNICEF

Against it

Requires strong statistical and analytical skills
Requires strong quantitative and qualitative research skills
Evaluation research can be politically sensitive
Evaluation findings may be politically sensitive

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public245k to 320k

245k at Kenyatta University320k at University of Nairobi

Private170k to 310k

170k at Kenya Methodist University310k at Kabarak University

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

UoN 320K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke); KU 244,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). KeMU 170K; Kabarak 310K/yr.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and World Bank research grants for educational evaluation research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
World Bank Research Grant
Grant

Scholarships

5 recorded

NRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
UNESCO Research Grant
Grant
Education researchers
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MEd or MA in Education, Evaluation, Educational Research, or related field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Education or related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

5 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, evaluation projects and seminar presentations
Evaluation Project Reports
Coursework20% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Education Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Analyses education policy using evaluation evidence for government and international organisations
M&E Specialist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages monitoring and evaluation systems for education programmes at NGOs, donor agencies, or government
Evaluation Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts evaluation research at research institutions, donor agencies, or international organisations
University Lecturer (Education)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches evaluation and research methods and conducts research in university education departments
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in education departments
M&E Officer
High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
M&E at Ministry and county governments
Educational Assessment Expert
High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Assessment at KNEC
Evaluation Specialist
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Evaluation at Ministry and NGOs

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, evaluation researchers, M&E specialists, and education consultants in universities, the Ministry of Education, donor agencies, NGOs, and international education organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Educational programme evaluation is just about testing students
Educational programme evaluation encompasses evaluation design, programme theory, impact evaluation, process evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, and evidence-based policy, not just student assessment.
A PhD in educational evaluation has limited career prospects
Growing demand for M&E expertise in Kenya's education sector from government, donors, and NGOs creates opportunities for evaluation researchers and specialists.
Educational evaluation research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's education reforms including CBC, donor-funded programmes, and NGO interventions require rigorous evaluation to inform policy and ensure accountability.
Evaluation is just about monitoring activities
Evaluation goes beyond monitoring to assess programme effectiveness, impact, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness using rigorous research methods and causal inference.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in curriculum and instruction