Social Sciences

Master in Public Administration and Governance

The Master in Public Administration and Governance provides advanced training in public administration, governance, public policy, public management, and leadership. Students learn public administration theory, governance frameworks, policy analysis, public financial management, and organisational leadership. The programme is designed for professionals working in or seeking to enter public administration, government, county governance, or public sector management.

Students develop advanced competencies in public administration, governance, policy analysis, public financial management, strategic management, leadership, and research. The curriculum covers public administration theory, governance and public policy, public financial management, strategic management in the public sector, research methods, leadership and ethics, county governance, and a research project or thesis. Practical skills are developed through case studies and applied research.

Public administration and governance skills are critical for Kenya's public sector, especially with devolution and county governance. National government, county governments, public agencies, NGOs, and development organisations require trained personnel for public administration and governance. Kenya's devolved government system creates demand for public administration professionals at both national and county levels. The programme addresses the demand for advanced public administration and governance training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, discussions, and research. Students study public administration concepts, analyse governance frameworks, conduct policy analysis, and undertake research projects. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, group discussions, and research-based work. The programme emphasises analytical and practical skills for public administration and governance.

Graduates find employment as public administrators, policy analysts, county government officers, programme managers, governance consultants, or development programme managers in national government, county governments, public agencies, NGOs, and development organisations. The master's degree supports career advancement in public sector management and governance.

This programme is ideal for public sector professionals, county government staff, NGO workers, and individuals seeking advanced qualifications in public administration and governance. The programme provides advanced skills for public sector leadership and governance roles.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 218,500
Private, up to: Ksh 218,400
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Evening and Weekend, Distance Learning
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Public Administration Theory
Governance and Public Policy
Public Financial Management
Strategic Management in the Public Sector
Research Methods
Leadership and Ethics in Public Service
County Governance and Devolution
Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
Project Management for Public Programmes
Dissertation or Research Project

Modules

10 in the programme

Public Administration Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Public administration theory covering classical and modern public administration theories, public management paradigms, new public management, and public administration in Kenya.
Governance and Public Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Governance and public policy covering governance theories, policy formulation, policy implementation, policy evaluation, and governance frameworks in Kenya.
Public Financial Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Public financial management covering public budgeting, fiscal policy, revenue management, public expenditure management, and financial accountability in the public sector.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, data collection, data analysis, qualitative and quantitative methods, and research ethics for public administration research.
Strategic Management in the Public Sector
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic management covering strategic planning, strategy implementation, performance management, and strategic management in public sector organisations.
County Governance and Devolution
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
County governance covering Kenya's devolved government system, county government structures, inter-governmental relations, and public administration at the county level.
Leadership and Ethics in Public Service
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Leadership and ethics covering public sector leadership, ethical governance, anti-corruption, public service values, and leadership for public sector transformation.
Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Human resource management covering public sector HRM, public service commissions, performance management, and managing human resources in government organisations.
Project Management for Public Programmes
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Project management covering public project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and managing public sector programmes and development projects.
Dissertation or Research Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A research dissertation or project on a public administration or governance topic, demonstrating research competence and applied knowledge in public administration.

Specialisations

County Governance
Focus on Kenya's devolved government system, county government management, inter-governmental relations, and public administration at the county level.
Public Policy
Focus on policy analysis, policy formulation, policy implementation, and policy evaluation in the public sector.
Public Financial Management
Focus on public budgeting, fiscal management, revenue administration, and financial accountability in government.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on public administration or governance with afternoon case study discussions and research work. Students study public administration concepts, analyse governance frameworks, conduct policy analysis, and work on research projects. Group work involves policy analysis exercises and governance case studies. The programme emphasises analytical and practical skills for public sector management and governance, with flexibility for working professionals through evening and weekend modes.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's devolved government system creates demand for public administration professionals at national and county levels.
Flexible study modes including evening, weekend, and distance learning for working professionals.
Provides advanced qualifications for senior public sector management and leadership roles.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Specific fee data is not publicly available; estimates based on comparable programmes.
Public sector employment may be competitive, especially for senior positions.

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

Public118k to 219k

118k at Maseno University219k at University of Nairobi

Private218k to 218k

218k at International Leadership University218k at International Leadership 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

Maseno 236,700/2yr(yumpu). UoN MA PolSci 437K/2yr(tuko). ILU 218,400/yr(tuko). Gretsa unverified.

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students pursuing master's programmes. Gretsa University may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

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

What you need

Alternative entry: Bachelor's degree (minimum Second Class Lower Division) in Public Administration, Governance, Political Science, Social Sciences, or related field from a CUE-recognised institution. Relevant work experience may be considered for applicants with lower qualifications.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination40% of the mark
Regular assessments including assignments, presentations, and CATs evaluating understanding of public administration and governance concepts.
Research Assignments and Case Studies
Project30% of the mark
Research assignments, policy analysis papers, and case study analyses of public administration and governance scenarios.
End of Semester Examinations and Dissertation
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a master's dissertation or research project demonstrating research competence and applied knowledge.

Accreditation

Gretsa University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The master's programme is accredited by CUE.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Gretsa University is chartered by CUE. Master's programme accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Public Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages public administration functions in national or county government, overseeing programmes, managing operations, and implementing public policy.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demand
Analyses public policy in government, think tanks, or NGOs, conducting policy research, evaluating policy options, and advising on policy decisions.
County Government Officer
Moderate demand
Serves in county government in administrative or management roles, coordinating county programmes, managing county operations, and supporting county governance.
Governance Consultant
Moderate demand
Provides governance consultancy to government agencies, NGOs, or development organisations, advising on governance, public management, and institutional development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as public administrators, policy analysts, and county government officers in national government, county governments, and public agencies, with opportunities for senior management and leadership roles.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Public administration is only for government workers.
Public administration skills are valuable in NGOs, development organisations, private sector corporate affairs, and any organisation engaging with government.
A master's in public administration is just theory.
The programme combines theory with practical policy analysis, financial management, strategic management, and research, developing applied skills for public sector leadership.
Governance studies are only about politics.
Governance covers public management, accountability, transparency, ethics, policy implementation, and institutional development, not just politics.
Public administration has no career growth.
Kenya's devolved government system has created new career opportunities in county governance, public management, and policy roles at both national and county levels.