Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Church History

The Master of Arts in Church History is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by Africa International University through the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology. The programme provides graduate-level training in the Bible, theology, and church history, equipping students with tools for further research in the field.

The programme combines historical study with theological reflection, preparing graduates for teaching, research, and ministry roles requiring deep understanding of the Christian church's historical development. Students engage with primary sources, historical methods, and critical analysis of church history from the early church to contemporary African Christianity.

Core areas of study include early church history, medieval church history, Reformation history, modern church history, African church history, history of Christianity in Kenya, historical research methods, and hermeneutics. The programme requires students to publish an article before graduation, as mandated by the Commission for University Education.

Africa International University, located in Nairobi, is a pan-African Christian university with strong theological traditions. The programme benefits from AIU's extensive library resources in African Christianity and church history, including archives of East African church history.

The programme is designed for both recent graduates and experienced practitioners seeking advanced training in church history. Flexible study options include remote teaching via Microsoft Teams, evening classes, weekend classes, and modular sessions, making it accessible to working professionals.

Graduates are prepared for careers as church history lecturers, researchers, theological educators, church leaders, and heritage consultants. The programme's emphasis on African church history is particularly relevant given the dynamic growth of Christianity in Africa and the need for documented historical analysis.

Skills Required

Historical Research Methods
Church History Analysis
Biblical Interpretation
Theological Reflection
Primary Source Analysis
African Church History
Hermeneutics
Academic Writing and Publishing
Historiography
Comparative Religious History

Key Subjects

Early Church History
Medieval Church History
Reformation History
Modern Church History
African Church History
History of Christianity in Kenya
Historical Research Methods
Hermeneutics
Historical Theology
Graduate Research and Writing

Certifications

American Society of Church History Membership
International Association for Mission Studies Membership

Specializations

Early Church History

Focuses on the history of the Christian church from its origins through the patristic period, including councils, creeds, and early theological developments.

Reformation History

Examines the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, including key figures, theological debates, and the socio-political impact of the Reformation.

African Church History

Covers the history of Christianity in Africa from early origins through contemporary developments, including missionary activity, indigenous churches, and African theology.

History of Christianity in Kenya

Focuses on the specific history of Christian churches and movements in Kenya, including missionary activities, church planting, and indigenous developments.

Medieval Church History

Examines the medieval period of church history including monasticism, papacy, scholasticism, and the relationship between church and state.

Modern Church History

Covers church history from the Enlightenment through the contemporary period, including revival movements, ecumenism, and global Christianity.

Pentecostal and Charismatic History

Examines the historical development of Pentecostal and charismatic movements globally and in Africa, including origins, key figures, and theological developments.

Historical Theology

Focuses on the development of Christian doctrine through history, tracing theological developments from the early church to contemporary theology.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 242,775
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Evening, Weekend, Modular, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Early Church History
Medieval Church History
Reformation History
Modern Church History
African Church History
History of Christianity in Kenya
Historical Research Methods
Hermeneutics
Historical Theology
Graduate Research and Writing

Modules

10 in the programme

Early Church History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the history of the Christian church from its origins through the patristic period, including apostolic age, church fathers, councils, and early theological developments.
Hermeneutics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers principles of biblical interpretation and hermeneutical theory, providing tools for understanding Scripture in historical and contemporary contexts.
Medieval Church History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the medieval period of church history including monasticism, papacy, scholasticism, crusades, and the relationship between church and state.
Reformation History
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, including key figures, theological debates, and socio-political impact of the Reformation on European Christianity.
African Church History
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the history of Christianity in Africa from early origins through contemporary developments, including missionary activity, indigenous churches, and African theology.
Modern Church History
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers church history from the Enlightenment through the contemporary period, including revival movements, ecumenism, and global Christianity.
Historical Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original historical research, including archival research and historiography.
History of Christianity in Kenya
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Focuses on the specific history of Christian churches and movements in Kenya, including missionary activities, church planting, and indigenous developments.
Graduate Research and Writing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops academic research and writing skills, including thesis preparation, academic publishing, and scholarly communication.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a church history topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence. Students must also publish an article before graduation.

Specialisations

Early Church History
Focuses on the history of the Christian church from its origins through the patristic period, including councils, creeds, and early theological developments.
Reformation History
Examines the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, including key figures, theological debates, and the socio-political impact of the Reformation.
African Church History
Covers the history of Christianity in Africa from early origins through contemporary developments, including missionary activity, indigenous churches, and African theology.
History of Christianity in Kenya
Focuses on the specific history of Christian churches and movements in Kenya, including missionary activities, church planting, and indigenous developments.
Medieval Church History
Examines the medieval period of church history including monasticism, papacy, scholasticism, and the relationship between church and state.
Modern Church History
Covers church history from the Enlightenment through the contemporary period, including revival movements, ecumenism, and global Christianity.
Pentecostal and Charismatic History
Examines the historical development of Pentecostal and charismatic movements globally and in Africa, including origins, key figures, and theological developments.
Historical Theology
Focuses on the development of Christian doctrine through history, tracing theological developments from the early church to contemporary theology.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on early church history, Reformation studies, or African Christianity at AIU's Nairobi campus. Students engage with primary historical sources, analyse church documents, and discuss historical interpretations in seminar settings. The programme includes research sessions in the library's African Christianity archives. Those taking modular or remote classes participate in intensive two-week sessions or online via Microsoft Teams. Students in the research phase conduct archival research, interview church leaders, and work on their thesis and required publication under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offers comprehensive coverage of church history from the early church to contemporary African Christianity, with particular strength in African church history.
Flexible study options including remote, evening, weekend, and modular modes make the programme accessible to working professionals.
AIU's library resources in African Christianity and church history provide excellent research materials for students.
CUE requirement to publish an article before graduation ensures graduates develop research and publishing skills valuable for academic careers.

Against it

Career opportunities are relatively limited, primarily in theological education and church contexts.
Programme is relatively expensive at approximately KES 573,150 total for a private university.
Only one institution offers this specific programme in Kenya, limiting choice.
The requirement to publish an article before graduation adds pressure and may extend the programme duration for some students.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public171k to 221k

171k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private190k to 243k

190k at Tangaza University243k 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

AIU 242.8K FT, Tangaza 190K/yr verified. UoN 220.5K verified. Maseno unverified.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, AIU financial aid, and sponsorship from churches and theological institutions supporting staff development.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
AIU Financial Aid
Church and Ministry Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
AIU Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
AIU students demonstrating academic merit and financial need.
Church and Ministry Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
Ministry practitioners sponsored by their churches or theological institutions for professional development.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: In exceptional cases, the Senate may admit applicants without a first degree if they can demonstrate through research and academic work that they are qualified to undertake postgraduate study, subject to regulatory body requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, historical source analyses, research papers, seminar presentations, and book reviews conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering course content, including essay questions, historical analysis, and source criticism.
Published Article
Research100% of the mark
CUE-mandated requirement to publish an article in a recognised journal before graduation, demonstrating research and scholarly writing competence.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a church history topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya. Students are required by CUE to publish an article before graduation. The programme is offered by Africa International University, a chartered Christian university in Nairobi.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes. CUE requires students to publish an article before graduation.
Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa
Professional accreditation
Pan-African accreditation agency for theological education programmes. Accreditation enhances recognition across African theological institutions.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Church History Lecturer
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches church history and related subjects at Bible colleges, seminaries, and universities, conducting research and publishing scholarly work.
Theological Educator
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches theology and church history in theological institutions, developing curriculum and mentoring future ministry leaders.
Researcher
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts historical research on African Christianity, working with research institutions, archives, or publishing organisations.
Church Leader
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Serves in church leadership roles applying historical understanding to ministry, governance, and denominational administration.
Heritage Consultant
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Advises churches and Christian organisations on preserving historical records, archives, and heritage sites.
University Lecturer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches history, religious studies, or theology at universities, contributing to research and academic scholarship.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as church history lecturers, theological educators, researchers, and church leaders, with demand primarily in theological institutions and churches.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Logos Bible Software
SoftwarePrimary
Digital Bible study platform providing historical sources, church fathers collections, commentaries, and research tools for church history study.
Zotero
SoftwarePrimary
Reference management software for organising historical sources, citations, and research materials for thesis and publication writing.
Microsoft Teams
Software
Collaboration platform used for remote teaching and learning, enabling participation in classes from any location.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for quantitative research components, analysing demographic and historical data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Church history is just about memorising dates and events.
Church history involves critical analysis of historical sources, understanding theological developments, and interpreting the social, political, and cultural contexts that shaped Christianity.
Church history is irrelevant to contemporary ministry.
Understanding historical developments helps ministry leaders navigate contemporary challenges, avoid past mistakes, and build on the wisdom of Christian tradition.
Church history focuses only on Western Christianity.
The programme places significant emphasis on African church history, recognising Africa's central role in early Christianity and the dynamic growth of African Christianity today.
A master's in church history only leads to academic careers.
Graduates serve in churches, theological institutions, publishing, heritage organisations, and parachurch organisations, applying historical understanding to diverse ministry and professional contexts.
Church history is only for those preparing for ordained ministry.
The programme serves anyone interested in understanding Christianity's historical development, including researchers, educators, and lay leaders seeking deeper historical perspective.
The programme requires knowledge of ancient languages.
While knowledge of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew can be helpful, the programme is accessible to students without ancient language training, with English-language sources and translations used extensively.