Health Sciences

Master of Arts in Community Care (HIV & AIDS)

The Master of Arts in Community Care (HIV & AIDS) at St. Paul's University is a postgraduate programme that equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to address the HIV and AIDS epidemic through community-based care, counselling, and support interventions. The programme prepares graduates to provide leadership in HIV and AIDS programming, policy advocacy, and community care initiatives.

The curriculum covers the epidemiology of HIV and AIDS, community care strategies, counselling for affected individuals and families, programme management, policy analysis, and research methods. Students examine the social, cultural, economic, and theological dimensions of the HIV epidemic, with emphasis on African contexts and faith-based responses.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with at least an Upper Second Class Honours or a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited university. Applicants with a Lower Second Class Honours and two years of relevant work experience may also be considered. The programme is offered through full-time, part-time, and modular modes, with modular sessions held three times a year in January, May, and August.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered at St. Paul's University, a private Christian institution in Limuru, Kenya. The university's theological heritage informs a faith-based approach to community care, integrating spiritual and psychosocial support dimensions.

Career prospects include roles in HIV and AIDS programme management, community care coordination, counselling services, policy advocacy, research, and faith-based health interventions. Graduates work in non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations, government health departments, international agencies, and community-based organisations.

The programme addresses the ongoing need for skilled professionals who can design, implement, and evaluate community-based HIV and AIDS interventions. Despite significant progress in HIV treatment and prevention, the epidemic remains a major public health challenge in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa, requiring sustained community-level responses and skilled leadership.

Skills Required

HIV and AIDS programme management
Community-based care strategies
Counselling for affected individuals and families
Epidemiology and public health
Policy analysis and advocacy
Research methods in community health
Project planning and management
Psychosocial support interventions
Faith-based health responses
Monitoring and evaluation

Key Subjects

Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS
Community Care Strategies
Counselling for HIV and AIDS
Programme Management and Evaluation
HIV Policy and Advocacy
Research Methods in Community Health
Psychosocial Support Interventions
Faith-Based Responses to HIV
Project Planning and Management
Stigma and Human Rights

Certifications

NACC HIV Programming Certification
WHO HIV Testing and Counselling Certification
Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association Certification
PEPFAR Programme Management Certification

Specializations

Community Care and Counselling

Focuses on counselling approaches for individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS, including grief counselling, disclosure support, and psychosocial care.

HIV and AIDS Programme Management

Covers planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of HIV and AIDS programmes in community and faith-based settings.

Policy Advocacy and Human Rights

Examines HIV-related policy frameworks, human rights issues, stigma reduction, and advocacy strategies for affected communities.

Faith-Based Responses to HIV

Explores the role of faith communities in HIV prevention, care, and support, integrating theological perspectives with public health approaches.

Research and Epidemiology

Develops research skills for studying HIV epidemiology, evaluating interventions, and contributing to evidence-based community care practice.

Psychosocial Support

Focuses on psychosocial support strategies for people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children, and affected families and communities.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 267,000
Private, up to: Ksh 195,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS
Community Care Strategies
Counselling for HIV and AIDS
Programme Management and Evaluation
HIV Policy and Advocacy
Research Methods in Community Health
Psychosocial Support Interventions
Faith-Based Responses to HIV
Project Planning and Management
Stigma and Human Rights

Modules

11 in the programme

Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Epidemiological foundations of HIV and AIDS, including transmission dynamics, prevalence trends, and the global and African epidemiological context.
Community Care Strategies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Community-based approaches to HIV care and support, including home-based care, community mobilisation, and integrated service delivery models.
Counselling for HIV and AIDS
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Counselling techniques for individuals and families affected by HIV, including VCT counselling, adherence counselling, grief and bereavement support.
Research Methods in Community Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for community health research, including study design, data collection, and analysis for HIV-related research.
HIV Policy and Advocacy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of HIV-related policy frameworks, human rights issues, advocacy strategies, and the role of civil society in shaping HIV policy.
Programme Management and Evaluation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of HIV and AIDS programmes, including proposal writing, budgeting, and impact assessment.
Psychosocial Support Interventions
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Psychosocial support strategies for people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children, and affected families and communities.
Faith-Based Responses to HIV
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Role of faith communities in HIV prevention, care, and support, integrating theological perspectives with public health approaches.
Stigma and Human Rights
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Examination of HIV-related stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations, with strategies for stigma reduction and rights-based programming.
Project Planning and Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Practical skills in project planning, resource mobilisation, financial management, and reporting for HIV and community care projects.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis or project on a community care and HIV/AIDS topic, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Community Care and Counselling
Focuses on counselling approaches for individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS, including grief counselling, disclosure support, and psychosocial care.
HIV and AIDS Programme Management
Covers planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of HIV and AIDS programmes in community and faith-based settings.
Policy Advocacy and Human Rights
Examines HIV-related policy frameworks, human rights issues, stigma reduction, and advocacy strategies for affected communities.
Faith-Based Responses to HIV
Explores the role of faith communities in HIV prevention, care, and support, integrating theological perspectives with public health approaches.
Research and Epidemiology
Develops research skills for studying HIV epidemiology, evaluating interventions, and contributing to evidence-based community care practice.
Psychosocial Support
Focuses on psychosocial support strategies for people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children, and affected families and communities.

A day as a student

A typical day varies by delivery mode. Modular students attend intensive two-week sessions in January, May, or August, with full days of lectures, workshops, and field visits to community care centres. Full-time students attend regular semester classes covering epidemiology, counselling methods, programme management, and policy analysis. Mornings focus on theoretical foundations, while afternoons involve practical counselling workshops, case study discussions, or field visits to HIV care facilities. Students regularly engage with guest practitioners from NACC, CDC, and faith-based health organisations. Independent reading, research, and dissertation writing occupy significant time between sessions.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses a critical ongoing public health challenge with sustained demand for skilled professionals in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa.
Flexible delivery modes including modular sessions in January, May, and August accommodate working professionals.
Faith-based approach integrates theological and psychosocial dimensions, relevant for faith-based HIV responses in Africa.
Multidisciplinary curriculum open to graduates from diverse backgrounds including social sciences, theology, and health.

Against it

Only offered at one institution, limiting choice for prospective students.
Specific fee structure for MACC not publicly accessible online, requiring direct contact with the university for exact fees.
Niche specialisation may limit career options outside the HIV and community care sector.
Limited scholarship opportunities specifically for HIV and AIDS community care studies.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public120k to 267k

120k at Kisii University267k at Kenyatta University

Private180k to 195k

180k at Mount Kenya University195k at St. Paul's 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

Kisii 120K/yr (brochure). KU ~267K/yr. Private: MKU & St. Paul's unverified.

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students. PEPFAR and global health initiatives may provide scholarship support for students working in HIV programming. SPU may offer institutional financial aid for qualifying students. Faith-based organisations may sponsor students for theological and community care training.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
SPU Institutional Financial Aid
PEPFAR Scholarship Programmes

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
PEPFAR Scholarship Programmes
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
Students and professionals working in HIV programming may access PEPFAR-supported scholarship and training programmes.
Faith-Based Organisation Sponsorships
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Students sponsored by churches and faith-based organisations for training in community care and HIV programming.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is open to graduates from diverse disciplines including social sciences, theology, health sciences, education, and community development. Modular sessions are held three times a year in January, May, and August, each lasting two weeks. The programme is offered full-time, part-time, and modular.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Ongoing assessment through assignments, seminar presentations, case study analyses, and practical counselling exercises throughout each semester.
End-of-Semester Examination
Examination60% of the mark
Written examination conducted at the end of each semester for each course unit.
Thesis / Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research thesis on a community care and HIV/AIDS topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Practical Counselling Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of counselling skills through supervised practice, role-play exercises, and field-based counselling sessions.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university quality assurance. St. Paul's University is a CUE-accredited private Christian university.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. St. Paul's University is a CUE-accredited private Christian university.
National AIDS Control Council (NACC)
Professional alignment
Kenyan government body coordinating the national HIV response. Graduates working in HIV programming should align with NACC guidelines and standards.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

HIV and AIDS Programme Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages HIV and AIDS programmes for NGOs, faith-based organisations, or government agencies, overseeing planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Community Care Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Coordinates community-based care services for people affected by HIV, managing home-based care programmes and community support networks.
HIV Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides professional counselling services for individuals and families affected by HIV, including testing, adherence, and psychosocial support.
Policy Advocacy Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Advocates for HIV-related policy changes, engages with government and stakeholders, and promotes rights-based approaches to HIV programming.
Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 220,000
Conducts research on HIV epidemiology, community care interventions, and programme effectiveness for research institutions and international agencies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in HIV and AIDS programme management, community care coordination, counselling services, policy advocacy, and research across NGOs, faith-based organisations, and government health departments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
Research softwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for epidemiological research, survey data analysis, and programme evaluation in HIV community care.
NVivo
Research softwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, focus group discussions, and qualitative community health research.
DHIS2
Health information systems
District Health Information System used for health data management and reporting in Kenya's public health sector.
Microsoft Project
Project management
Project management software for planning, scheduling, and tracking HIV and community care programme activities.
EndNote
Reference management
Reference management software for organising citations and bibliographies in academic writing and thesis preparation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme is only for medical professionals.
The programme is open to graduates from diverse backgrounds including social sciences, theology, education, and community development, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of HIV community care.
HIV and AIDS is no longer a relevant topic for postgraduate study.
HIV remains a significant public health challenge in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa, with ongoing needs for skilled professionals in prevention, care, treatment, and stigma reduction.
The programme is only for those working in churches.
While SPU is a Christian university, graduates work in diverse settings including NGOs, government agencies, international organisations, and community-based organisations.
Community care is less important than clinical treatment.
Community-based care complements clinical treatment by addressing psychosocial support, stigma reduction, adherence support, and holistic wellbeing of affected individuals and families.
The modular format is less academically rigorous.
Modular sessions deliver the same curriculum and assessment standards as full-time study, with intensive two-week sessions supplemented by independent study and research between modules.
This degree has limited career prospects.
Kenya's HIV response employs thousands of professionals in programme management, counselling, research, and policy roles, with demand sustained by ongoing epidemic challenges.