Media & Communication

Master of Arts in Communication

The Master of Arts in Communication is a postgraduate programme designed to equip students with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in media, communication, and information studies. Offered at five Kenyan universities, the programme prepares graduates for leadership roles in journalism, public relations, corporate communication, development communication, and academia. The curriculum draws on interdisciplinary perspectives, integrating communication theory with research methodologies and emerging digital technologies.

Students engage with core areas including communication theory, media ethics and law, research methodology, and strategic communication. The programme emphasises both scholarly rigour and professional practice, requiring students to complete coursework, examinations, and a research project or thesis. Elective units allow specialisation in areas such as development communication, corporate communication, media studies, and digital communication.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with at least an Upper Second Class Honours in communication, media studies, journalism, or a related social science field. Applicants with a Lower Second Class Honours and relevant work experience may also be considered. The programme is delivered through coursework, seminars, and independent research, fostering critical analysis and independent thinking.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and, in the case of USIU-Africa, also holds dual accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. This dual recognition enhances the global portability of the qualification. Graduates are equipped to address emerging communication challenges in a rapidly evolving media landscape shaped by digital transformation.

Career prospects include roles in corporate communication, public relations, media management, development communication, academia, and policy advisory. Graduates work in government, private sector, civil society, international organisations, and media houses. The programme also provides a foundation for doctoral studies in communication and related fields.

With Kenya's growing media industry and the increasing importance of strategic communication in governance and business, the programme addresses a demonstrated market need for highly skilled communication professionals. The curriculum is informed by industry trends, technological change, and the broader development agenda encapsulated in Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Skills Required

Strategic communication planning
Media analysis and criticism
Research methodology and data analysis
Public relations management
Digital media production
Crisis communication
Academic writing and scholarly publishing
Interpersonal and intercultural communication
Media law and ethics
Content strategy and editorial management

Key Subjects

Communication Theory
Media Ethics and Law
Research Methodology
Strategic Communication
Public Relations Theory and Practice
International Communication
Organisational Communication
Digital Media and Communication
Communication and Social Change
Media and Cultural Studies

Certifications

Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) Certification
IABC Strategic Communication Management Certification
Media Council of Kenya Journalist Accreditation
Google Digital Marketing Certification

Specializations

Corporate Communication

Focuses on internal and external corporate messaging, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic public relations within organisational settings.

Development Communication

Examines the role of communication in social change, development projects, community engagement, and behaviour change communication in developing contexts.

Media Studies

Explores media theory, media effects, audience analysis, journalism studies, and the political economy of media in contemporary society.

Digital Communication

Addresses digital media platforms, online content strategy, social media analytics, and the impact of digital technologies on communication practices.

Public Relations

Covers public relations theory, campaign planning, media relations, issues management, and corporate social responsibility communication.

Organisational Communication

Studies communication flows within organisations, leadership communication, change management, and organisational culture.

Journalism Studies

Focuses on advanced journalism practice, investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, and journalism ethics in the digital age.

Communication Research

Emphasises quantitative and qualitative research methods, audience research, media effects studies, and research project design.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 340,900
Job market: High

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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Communication Theory
Media Ethics and Law
Research Methodology
Strategic Communication
Public Relations Theory and Practice
International Communication
Organisational Communication
Digital Media and Communication
Communication and Social Change
Media and Cultural Studies

Modules

10 in the programme

Communication Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of communication theories including systems theory, critical theory, cultural studies, and postmodern perspectives on media and communication.
Media Ethics and Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ethical frameworks for media practice, media law in Kenya, regulatory frameworks, freedom of expression, and responsible journalism.
Research Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods in communication studies, including survey design, content analysis, ethnography, and discourse analysis.
Strategic Communication
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of strategic communication planning, campaign design, audience segmentation, message development, and communication strategy evaluation.
International Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Global communication flows, international media systems, cultural imperialism, globalisation, and the role of communication in international relations.
Organisational Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Communication structures within organisations, internal communication, leadership communication, change management, and organisational culture.
Communication and Social Change
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
The role of communication in development, behaviour change communication, participatory communication, and communication for social transformation.
Digital Media and Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Digital media platforms, social media analytics, online content strategy, digital storytelling, and the impact of digital technologies on communication.
Public Relations Theory and Practice
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Advanced PR theory, reputation management, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, and PR campaign planning and evaluation.
Research Project / Thesis
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research project equivalent to four course units, involving proposal development, data collection, analysis, and thesis writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Corporate Communication
Focuses on internal and external corporate messaging, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic public relations within organisational settings.
Development Communication
Examines the role of communication in social change, development projects, community engagement, and behaviour change communication in developing contexts.
Media Studies
Explores media theory, media effects, audience analysis, journalism studies, and the political economy of media in contemporary society.
Digital Communication
Addresses digital media platforms, online content strategy, social media analytics, and the impact of digital technologies on communication practices.
Public Relations
Covers public relations theory, campaign planning, media relations, issues management, and corporate social responsibility communication.
Organisational Communication
Studies communication flows within organisations, leadership communication, change management, and organisational culture.
Journalism Studies
Focuses on advanced journalism practice, investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, and journalism ethics in the digital age.
Communication Research
Emphasises quantitative and qualitative research methods, audience research, media effects studies, and research project design.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on communication theory or research methodology, followed by a seminar discussion analysing contemporary media issues. Afternoons may involve group project work on a communication campaign case study, independent research in the library, or practical exercises in the media lab. Students regularly engage with guest speakers from media houses and PR firms, and those pursuing thesis tracks dedicate time to data collection and analysis. Part-time students attend evening classes, balancing professional commitments with academic work.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at five universities giving students choice in specialisation focus, location, and tuition bracket.
USIU-Africa offers dual accreditation (CUE and WASC), enabling international recognition of the qualification.
Strong market demand for communication professionals in Kenya's growing media, corporate, and development sectors.
Flexible study modes including full-time, part-time, and online options accommodate working professionals.

Against it

Significant tuition fee variation across institutions, with private universities charging substantially more than public ones.
Programme requires independent research project or thesis, which can extend completion time beyond the standard two years.
Limited scholarship opportunities specifically for postgraduate communication studies compared to STEM fields.
Rapidly evolving digital media landscape requires continuous self-directed learning beyond the formal curriculum to stay current.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 106 media & communication courses

Public100k to 221k

100k at Kisii University221k at University of Nairobi

Private188k to 341k

188k at Daystar University341k at USIU-Africa

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 220,500/yr. Kisii 100,000/yr (brochure). USIU 340,900/yr (usiu.ac.ke). Daystar 188,000/yr (studyinkenya).

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students pursuing master's degrees. Daystar University and USIU-Africa provide institution-specific financial aid for qualifying postgraduate students. External scholarships from organisations such as the Aga Khan Foundation and the Ford Foundation may also support communication studies at the postgraduate level.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Daystar University Postgraduate Scholarships
USIU-Africa Graduate Financial Aid

Scholarships

4 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
Daystar University Postgraduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Qualifying postgraduate students at Daystar University based on academic merit and financial need.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
Outstanding students from developing countries pursuing postgraduate studies, with a focus on development-related fields.
Ford Foundation Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
Postgraduate students pursuing degrees that contribute to social justice, media freedom, and democratic governance.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants with a Pass degree and a postgraduate diploma in mass communication plus at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered. Some universities may require an interview to determine suitability. Credit transfers for similar master's-level courses from recognised institutions may be allowed up to one-third of the programme.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework40% of the mark
Ongoing assessment through seminar papers, tutorials, essays, practical exercises, and assignments throughout each semester.
End-of-Semester Written Examination
Examination60% of the mark
Three-hour written examination paper conducted at the end of each semester for each course unit.
Research Project / Thesis
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project equivalent to four course units, assessed through thesis defence and written submission.
Seminar Presentations
Coursework20% of the mark
Oral presentations on assigned topics, research proposals, and case study analyses contributing to continuous assessment.

Accreditation

All programmes are accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university quality assurance. USIU-Africa additionally holds accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (USA), providing dual recognition.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. All five institutions offering this programme are CUE-accredited.
WASC Senior College and University Commission
International academic accreditation
US-based regional accreditor providing dual accreditation for USIU-Africa's MA in Communication Studies programme.
Media Council of Kenya
Professional accreditation
Statutory body that accredits journalists and regulates media standards in Kenya. Relevant for graduates pursuing journalism careers.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Corporate Communications Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 400,000
Leads internal and external communication strategy for organisations, managing reputation, stakeholder relations, and corporate messaging.
Public Relations Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages PR campaigns, media relations, press events, and crisis communication for clients or organisations.
Communications Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Entry-level role supporting communication activities including content creation, social media management, and internal communications.
University Lecturer in Communication
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches communication and media studies courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, conducts research, and supervises student projects.
Digital Communications Specialist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Develops and implements digital communication strategies, manages online content, and analyses digital engagement metrics.
Media Planner
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Plans and coordinates media buying and placement strategies for advertising agencies and corporate marketing departments.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in corporate communication, public relations, media management, academia, and development communication across public, private, and civil society sectors in Kenya and internationally.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
Research softwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software used for quantitative communication research and data analysis.
NVivo
Research softwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for coding and analysing text, audio, and video data in communication research.
Adobe Creative Suite
Media production
Design and media production tools including Premiere Pro, InDesign, and Photoshop for content creation.
Google Analytics
Digital media
Web analytics platform for measuring digital communication effectiveness and audience engagement.
Hootsuite
Social media management
Social media management platform for scheduling, monitoring, and analysing social media communication campaigns.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A Master's in Communication is only useful for journalism careers.
The programme opens doors to corporate communication, public relations, development communication, academia, policy advisory, and digital media strategy roles beyond traditional journalism.
You need a bachelor's in communication to apply.
While a communication-related first degree is preferred, many universities accept applicants with degrees in social sciences, languages, law, education, or related fields, particularly those with relevant work experience.
The programme is entirely theoretical with no practical application.
Most programmes combine theoretical foundations with practical projects, case studies, media lab work, and research projects that address real-world communication challenges.
Online and part-time options are inferior to full-time study.
USIU-Africa offers a CUE-accredited online MA in Communication Studies, and part-time modes at other universities follow the same curriculum and assessment standards as full-time programmes.
Communication master's graduates struggle to find employment in Kenya.
Kenya's growing media industry, expanding corporate sector, and increasing demand for strategic communication in governance create strong demand for advanced communication professionals.
The programme is only offered at public universities.
The programme is offered at both public universities (University of Nairobi, Moi University, Kisii University) and private institutions (Daystar University, USIU-Africa), each with distinct strengths and specialisations.