Media & Communication

Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism

The Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism provides advanced training in journalism, media studies, communication theory, media research, and mass communication. Students learn advanced journalism, media analysis, communication theory, digital media, and media research methods. The programme is designed for journalists, media professionals, and communication practitioners seeking advanced qualifications.

Students develop advanced competencies in journalism, media studies, communication theory, digital media, media research, and mass communication. The curriculum covers communication theory, advanced journalism, media and society, digital media and journalism, media research methods, media law and ethics, development communication, and a research dissertation. Practical skills are developed through media projects and research.

Communication and journalism skills are important for Kenya's media industry, which is one of the most vibrant in Africa. Media houses, PR firms, corporate communication departments, NGOs, and government require trained communication professionals. Kenya's media landscape creates demand for advanced communication and journalism qualifications. The programme addresses the demand for advanced communication and journalism training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, media projects, and research. Students study communication concepts, analyse media, produce journalism, and conduct media research. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, media projects, and research-based work. The programme is offered in full-time, part-time, and distance learning modes.

Graduates find employment as journalists, editors, media managers, communication managers, PR managers, media researchers, or lecturers in media houses, PR firms, corporate organisations, NGOs, and universities. The master's degree supports careers in media leadership, communication management, and academic research.

This programme is ideal for journalists, media professionals, communication officers, and individuals seeking advanced qualifications in communication and journalism. The programme provides advanced skills for media leadership and communication management roles.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 142,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Communication Theory
Advanced Journalism
Media and Society
Digital Media and Journalism
Media Research Methods
Media Law and Ethics
Development Communication
Corporate Communication
Media Management
Dissertation Research

Modules

8 in the programme

Communication Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication theory covering classical and contemporary communication theories, mass communication theories, media effects, and communication models.
Advanced Journalism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced journalism covering advanced reporting, investigative journalism, feature writing, editorial writing, and multimedia journalism.
Media and Society
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Media and society covering media sociology, media and democracy, media and culture, media and politics, and the role of media in society.
Media Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Media research methods covering content analysis, audience research, media effects research, qualitative and quantitative methods, and research ethics.
Digital Media and Journalism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital media covering digital journalism, social media journalism, data journalism, multimedia storytelling, and digital media platforms.
Media Law and Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Media law covering media law in Kenya, defamation, privacy, access to information, and media ethics covering ethical principles and professional standards.
Development Communication and Media Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Development communication covering communication for development, and media management covering media business, newsroom management, and media leadership.
Dissertation Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research dissertation on a communication or journalism topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to media studies knowledge.

Specialisations

Journalism
Focus on advanced reporting, investigative journalism, multimedia journalism, and editorial leadership.
Digital Media
Focus on digital journalism, social media, data journalism, multimedia storytelling, and digital media platforms.
Media Management
Focus on media business, newsroom management, media strategy, and leadership in media organisations.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on communication theory or journalism with afternoon media projects and research work. Students study communication concepts, analyse media content, produce journalism, and conduct media research. Group work involves media production exercises and research projects. The programme emphasises practical journalism skills, media analysis, and research competence, with flexibility for working professionals through part-time and distance learning modes.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya has one of Africa's most vibrant media industries with diverse career opportunities.
Flexible study modes including full-time, part-time, and distance learning for working professionals.
Provides advanced qualifications for media leadership and communication management roles.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Specific fee data is not publicly available; estimate based on KeMU average fees.
The media industry is competitive, with digital disruption transforming traditional media roles.

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

Public118k to 221k

118k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private142k to 142k

142k at Mount Kenya University142k at Mount Kenya 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

UoN 220,500/yr. Maseno 118,350/yr (yumpu). MKU 65K/sem+12K=142K/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com).

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. KeMU 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 Communication, Journalism, Media Studies, or related field from a CUE-recognised institution. Relevant work experience may be considered.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Assignments
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, assignments, and presentations evaluating understanding of communication and journalism concepts.
Media Projects and Research Papers
Project30% of the mark
Media production projects, journalism assignments, and research papers evaluating practical and research skills.
Dissertation Defence
Project30% of the mark
A master's dissertation demonstrating research competence in communication and journalism.

Accreditation

Kenya Methodist University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MA programme is accredited by CUE.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
KeMU is chartered by CUE. MA programme accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Journalist / Editor
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Works as a senior journalist or editor in media houses, producing news, features, and multimedia content, and leading editorial teams.
Media Manager
Moderate demand
Manages media operations in media houses or media departments, overseeing content production, media strategy, and newsroom management.
Communication Manager
Moderate demand
Manages communication in corporate organisations, NGOs, or government, overseeing corporate communication, media relations, and communication strategy.
Media Lecturer / Researcher
Low demand
Teaches communication and journalism in universities or conducts media research in research institutions, contributing to media studies scholarship.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as journalists, editors, media managers, and communication managers in media houses, PR firms, and corporate organisations, with opportunities for media leadership and academic research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Journalism is dying because of digital media.
Journalism is evolving with digital media, creating new opportunities in digital journalism, data journalism, and multimedia storytelling.
A master's in communication is just theory.
The programme combines theory with practical journalism, media production, research, and media management skills.
Communication and journalism degrees have limited career value.
Kenya's media industry is vibrant, and communication skills are in demand across media, corporate, NGO, and government sectors.
Journalism is only about writing news.
Journalism covers reporting, editing, multimedia production, data journalism, investigative journalism, media management, and communication strategy.