Education

Master of Arts in Christian Education

The Master of Arts in Christian Education at Africa International University is a skills-based postgraduate programme that equips theological educators to teach in church and public schools, develop and administer education programmes, and conduct primary research in education. Offered through the School of Education, Arts, and Social Sciences, the programme brings a Christian world and life view to bear on educational practice.

The programme is designed to produce graduates who can apply educational principles in teaching the Bible and Christian theology, develop and assess curricula for church and public schools, conduct primary research in education, and pursue further academic study in Christian education.

Students engage with topics including curriculum development, educational administration, pedagogical theory, and the integration of faith and learning. The programme prepares educators for roles in church-based education, Christian schools, theological institutions, and educational administration.

Admission requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from AIU or other universities recognised by the AIU Senate. Applicants with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) may be considered with at least two years of relevant experience. Holders of a postgraduate diploma at credit level or higher are also eligible.

The programme is delivered through multiple flexible modes including remote teaching via Microsoft Teams, evening classes from Monday to Thursday, weekend classes on Friday and Saturday, and modular sessions of two weeks duration. Intakes occur in January, May, and September, providing accessibility for working educators and ministry professionals.

AIU's Karen campus provides a serene learning environment with library resources, technology infrastructure, and a diverse pan-African academic community. The programme's CUE accreditation ensures graduates hold recognised qualifications for teaching and administrative positions in educational institutions across Kenya and beyond.

Skills Required

Curriculum development and assessment
Educational administration and leadership
Biblical pedagogy and teaching methods
Integration of faith and learning
Educational research methods
Christian worldview in education
Programme evaluation and quality assurance
Teacher training and professional development
Educational policy analysis
Assessment and measurement in education

Key Subjects

Curriculum Development and Design
Educational Administration and Leadership
Pedagogical Theory and Practice
Integration of Faith and Learning
Educational Research Methods
Biblical Teaching Methods
Christian Philosophy of Education
Assessment and Evaluation in Education
Educational Psychology
Christian Worldview in Education

Certifications

Kenya Christian Education Professional Certification
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Certification
Teachers Service Commission Registration (Kenya)

Specializations

Curriculum Development

Focuses on the design, development, and assessment of curricula for church and public school contexts, integrating Christian perspectives with educational theory.

Educational Administration

Prepares graduates for leadership roles in Christian schools and educational institutions, covering administration, policy, and institutional management.

Biblical Pedagogy

Develops teaching methods specifically for biblical instruction and theological education, applying educational principles to Bible teaching contexts.

Faith and Learning Integration

Explores the integration of Christian worldview with academic disciplines, preparing educators to teach from a faith-informed perspective across subject areas.

Educational Research

Equips students with research skills to conduct primary research in educational programmes, contributing to evidence-based practice in Christian education.

Christian School Leadership

Addresses the specific leadership and management needs of Christian schools, including staff development, spiritual formation, and community engagement.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 392,000
Private, up to: Ksh 286,575
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 18 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Curriculum Development and Design
Educational Administration and Leadership
Pedagogical Theory and Practice
Integration of Faith and Learning
Educational Research Methods
Biblical Teaching Methods
Christian Philosophy of Education
Assessment and Evaluation in Education
Educational Psychology
Christian Worldview in Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Christian Philosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines philosophical foundations of Christian education, exploring how a Christian worldview shapes educational theory and practice.
Curriculum Development and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers principles and processes of curriculum development for church and school settings, including needs assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation.
Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Studies psychological principles of learning and development, applying them to educational practice in Christian contexts.
Biblical Teaching Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops pedagogical skills for teaching the Bible and Christian theology, applying educational principles to biblical instruction.
Educational Administration and Leadership
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers principles of educational administration, leadership theory, and institutional management for Christian schools and education programmes.
Integration of Faith and Learning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Explores the integration of Christian faith with academic learning across disciplines, developing a coherent approach to faith-informed education.
Educational Research Methods
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Introduces qualitative and quantitative research methods applicable to educational research, preparing students for thesis work.
Assessment and Evaluation in Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Covers principles and tools for assessing student learning and evaluating educational programmes in church and school contexts.
Christian Worldview in Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Examines how a Christian worldview informs educational purpose, content, and methodology across different cultural contexts.
Teacher Training and Professional Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Equips students to design and deliver professional development programmes for teachers in Christian educational institutions.
Educational Policy Analysis
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Analyses educational policy frameworks in Kenya and beyond, examining their implications for Christian education programmes.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 46 creditsCore
An original research thesis in Christian education, demonstrating mastery of research methods and contributing to the field of Christian education.

Specialisations

Curriculum Development
Focuses on the design, development, and assessment of curricula for church and public school contexts, integrating Christian perspectives with educational theory.
Educational Administration
Prepares graduates for leadership roles in Christian schools and educational institutions, covering administration, policy, and institutional management.
Biblical Pedagogy
Develops teaching methods specifically for biblical instruction and theological education, applying educational principles to Bible teaching contexts.
Faith and Learning Integration
Explores the integration of Christian worldview with academic disciplines, preparing educators to teach from a faith-informed perspective across subject areas.
Educational Research
Equips students with research skills to conduct primary research in educational programmes, contributing to evidence-based practice in Christian education.
Christian School Leadership
Addresses the specific leadership and management needs of Christian schools, including staff development, spiritual formation, and community engagement.

A day as a student

A typical day for an MA Christian Education student at AIU combines morning lectures on curriculum development, educational administration, or pedagogical theory with afternoon seminars on faith-learning integration and research methods. Students engage in group curriculum design projects, analyse case studies from Christian schools, and participate in peer presentations. Library research and lesson planning assignments form a significant part of independent study. Students may also attend chapel services and connect with peers from diverse educational and ministry backgrounds across Africa.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme integrates Christian faith with educational theory, providing a unique perspective for educators in faith-based institutions.
Flexible delivery modes including remote, evening, weekend, and modular sessions accommodate working educators and ministry professionals.
Graduates are equipped for both teaching and administrative roles, broadening career options within the education sector.

Against it

Career opportunities are primarily concentrated in Christian schools and faith-based institutions, limiting options in secular education.
The programme is currently offered only at AIU, limiting institutional choice for prospective students.
Tuition fees at AIU are higher than at public universities offering similar education programmes.

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

Public214k to 392k

214k at Kenyatta University392k at Moi University

Private119k to 287k

119k at Mount Kenya University287k at Africa International 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

KU 216,000/yr (webhostingvoice). Moi 392K unverified. MKU 119,100/yr. AIU 286,575 unverified.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, AIU internal financial aid, and ACSI scholarships for Christian educators. Payment plans are available with 60% in the first month, 30% in the second, and 10% in the third.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
AIU Financial Aid
ACSI Scholarships for Christian Educators

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
AIU Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
Students demonstrating financial need and academic merit at Africa International University.
ACSI Scholarships for Christian Educators
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
Christian educators pursuing professional development at recognised institutions, supported by ACSI.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) may be considered with at least two years of relevant experience. Holders of a postgraduate diploma at credit level or higher from a recognised institution are also eligible.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Curriculum design projects, lesson plans, reflective essays, and educational analysis papers submitted for each course unit.
Class Participation and Presentations
Coursework20% of the mark
Active participation in seminar discussions, teaching demonstrations, and peer presentations on educational topics.
End-of-Course Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations at the conclusion of each course, testing mastery of educational theory and Christian education principles.
Research Thesis
Project20% of the mark
An original research thesis in Christian education, demonstrating research competence and contributing to the field.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Africa International University is a CUE-chartered private university in Kenya, and the MA in Christian Education meets CUE standards for postgraduate academic programmes.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan university programmes. Africa International University is a CUE-chartered private university.
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Professional affiliation
International organisation providing accreditation and professional development for Christian schools, enhancing graduate employability in Christian education.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Christian School Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 140,000
Teaches in Christian schools, integrating faith perspectives with academic instruction across subject areas.
Education Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages Christian schools or educational programmes, overseeing curriculum, staff, and institutional operations.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Designs and develops educational curricula for Christian schools, churches, or educational organisations.
Religious Studies Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000
Teaches religious studies or Christian education at secondary schools, Bible colleges, or university departments.
Church Education Director
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Oversees educational programmes in churches, including Sunday school, discipleship training, and adult education initiatives.
Teacher Training Facilitator
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Designs and delivers professional development programmes for teachers in Christian educational institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in Christian school teaching, educational administration, curriculum development, church education departments, and theological institution faculty roles.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Workspace for Education
SoftwarePrimary
Collaboration and productivity tools for curriculum development, lesson planning, and educational administration.
Moodle
Software
Open-source learning management system for delivering online and blended Christian education courses.
Logos Bible Software
Software
Digital library platform supporting biblical teaching preparation with commentaries, original language tools, and teaching resources.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for educational research, data analysis, and programme evaluation.
Canva for Education
Software
Design platform for creating visual teaching materials, presentations, and educational resources.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Christian education degrees only prepare you for Sunday school teaching.
The programme prepares graduates for curriculum development, educational administration, research, and teaching in both church and public school settings.
A Christian education degree is not recognised by secular institutions.
AIU is a CUE-chartered university, and the MA in Christian Education is a recognised academic qualification for teaching and administrative positions in Kenya.
Christian education lacks academic rigour compared to secular education degrees.
The programme includes research methods, curriculum theory, educational psychology, and assessment methods comparable to secular education programmes, with the addition of a faith integration dimension.
The programme is only for those intending to teach in theological seminaries.
Graduates work in Christian schools, public schools, church education departments, denominational headquarters, and educational NGOs alongside theological institutions.
Online and modular study modes are less effective than traditional full-time study.
AIU's flexible delivery modes are designed for working professionals, combining rigorous academic content with practical application in the student's current educational context.