Doctor of Philosophy in Social Education and Ethics
The Doctor of Philosophy in Social Education and Ethics is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on social studies education, citizenship education, ethics, and values education, contributing to civic competence and moral development in Kenya and globally.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 734,400 to Ksh 1,224,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,200 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 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 engage with advanced social education theory, ethics, citizenship education, curriculum studies, social philosophy, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent educational research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to social education and ethics.
Kenya's education system seeks to develop responsible citizens with strong ethical values and social awareness. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the Competency-Based Curriculum by training researchers who can develop social education curricula, promote citizenship education, and inform values-based education policy.
Teaching methods include seminars, curriculum analysis, ethical case studies, policy research, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's School of Education and UoN's Faculty of Education, and collaborate with KICD, the Ministry of Education, KNEC, and civil society organisations.
Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, social education researchers, curriculum developers, ethics educators, and policy analysts in universities, KICD, the Ministry of Education, NGOs, and research institutions.
This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in social studies education, education, ethics, or related social sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in social education and ethics.
What you study
10 subjects- Social Education Theory
- Ethics and Moral Philosophy
- Citizenship Education
- Curriculum Studies
- Social Philosophy
- Research Methodology
- Values Education
- Thesis Research
- Social Studies Pedagogy
- Comparative Education
Modules
12 in the programmeAdvanced Social Education Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of social education including citizenship education, socialisation, and the role of education in society
Advanced Social Education Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Social education, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Ethics and Moral Philosophy in Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical theories and moral philosophy applied to educational contexts and values education
Citizenship and Civic Education
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Citizenship education including democracy, human rights, national values, and civic participation in Kenya
Social Studies Curriculum and Pedagogy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Curriculum and pedagogy for social studies including content, methods, and assessment at various levels
Civic Education and Citizenship
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Civic education, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Values Education and Character Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Values education including character education, moral development, and the integration of values into schooling
Social Ethics and Public Service Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Social ethics, examining ethical principles, professional conduct, regulatory frameworks, and their application in research and practice.
Social Justice and Equity in Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Analysis of social justice, equity, and inclusion in education with applications to Kenyan contexts
Research Methods in Social Education and Ethics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Research Methodology and Statistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for education and social sciences research
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in the field.
Specialisations
Religious Education Practice
Specialization in Religious Education Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as religious-educator-theology-teacher.
Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
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.
Science Curriculum Development
Specialization in Science Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as science-curriculum-developer.
Academic Advising
Specialization in Academic Advising, preparing graduates for careers such as academic-advisor.
Public Service Ethics
Research on public service ethics
Moral Education
Research on moral education
Values Education
Research on values education
Civic Education
Research on civic education
A day as a student
A typical day combines reading social and ethical theory with curriculum analysis, case study discussions, policy research, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend education research seminars, present findings at colloquia, and engage with KICD and the Ministry of Education for curriculum research.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's values education creates demand | Limited direct industry demand outside education |
| Access to KICD, EACC and Ministry of Education | Research funding for social education and ethics is limited |
| Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per year | Ethics research can be sensitive |
| Strong institutional links with KICD, KNEC, and the Ministry of Education | Academic positions require publications and research output |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 education 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
KU 244,800/yr (ku.ac.ke); Moi 180K unverified. KeMU 170K (eafinder.com); Kabarak 310K/yr.
Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and UNESCO research fellowships for social education and ethics research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
UNESCO Research Fellowship
Fellowship
Scholarships
5 recordedDAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
NRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.
Including Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.
Including Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.
How you are assessed
5 componentsThesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, essays and seminar presentations
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Accreditation
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
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
7 rolesEthics Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Ethics consulting at EACC and organisations
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in education faculties
Social Education Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research on social education
University Lecturer (Education)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches social education and ethics and conducts research in university education departments
Curriculum Developer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Develops social studies and values education curriculum at KICD or education NGOs
Ethics Educator
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Develops and delivers ethics and values education programmes in schools, universities, or organisations
Education Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Analyses education policy at the Ministry of Education, KNEC, or think tanks
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as university lecturers, social education researchers, curriculum developers, and ethics educators in universities, KICD, the Ministry of Education, NGOs, and research institutions.
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
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Social education and ethics is just about teaching good behaviour
Social education and ethics involves critical analysis of citizenship, values, social issues, and moral philosophy, requiring rigorous academic research.
A PhD in social education and ethics has limited career prospects
Graduates are needed at universities, KICD, the Ministry of Education, and civil society organisations for curriculum and policy development.
Ethics education is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's focus on national values, integrity, and civic education under the Constitution makes ethics and social education research highly relevant.
Social education is the same as sociology
Social education focuses on teaching and learning about society, citizenship, and values, while sociology is the scientific study of society.