Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Community Development

The Master of Arts in Community Development is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced training in the theory and practice of community development. Offered at Chuka University and Daystar University, the programme prepares graduates to design, implement, and evaluate community development interventions that address poverty, inequality, and social exclusion in Kenya and beyond.

The curriculum covers community development theory, participatory development approaches, project planning and management, social research methods, policy analysis, and community empowerment strategies. Students examine the socio-economic, cultural, and political dimensions of community development, with emphasis on sustainable and inclusive development practices.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with at least an Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant discipline from a recognised university. Applicants with a Lower Second Class Honours and relevant work experience may also be considered. Chuka University offers full-time, part-time, and work-based modes, while Daystar University provides full-time and part-time options with a Christian mission orientation.

Both institutions are accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Chuka University is a public university located in Tharaka-Nithi County, while Daystar University is a private Christian university with campuses in Athi River and Nairobi. The programme typically runs over four semesters for full-time students.

Career prospects include roles in community development, project management, social work, policy analysis, research, and development consultancy. Graduates work in non-governmental organisations, government agencies, international development organisations, faith-based organisations, and community-based organisations.

The programme addresses Kenya's persistent development challenges including rural poverty, youth unemployment, gender inequality, and environmental degradation. With the growing emphasis on community-driven development and decentralised governance through Kenya's devolution framework, demand for skilled community development professionals has increased across all sectors.

Skills Required

Community development theory and practice
Participatory development approaches
Project planning and management
Social research methods
Policy analysis and advocacy
Community needs assessment
Monitoring and evaluation
Resource mobilisation and grant writing
Community mobilisation and empowerment
Sustainable development planning

Key Subjects

Community Development Theory
Participatory Development Approaches
Project Planning and Management
Social Research Methods
Policy Analysis and Advocacy
Community Needs Assessment
Monitoring and Evaluation
Sustainable Development
Gender and Development
Community Empowerment Strategies

Certifications

International Association for Community Development Membership
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
Monitoring and Evaluation Certification
Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development Certification

Specializations

Participatory Development

Focuses on participatory approaches to community development, including PRA/PLA methods, community mobilisation, and bottom-up development planning.

Project Management

Covers planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of community development projects, including logical framework approaches and results-based management.

Social Policy and Advocacy

Examines social policy frameworks, advocacy strategies, and the role of civil society in shaping development policy at local and national levels.

Rural Development

Addresses the unique challenges of rural community development, including agricultural livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and access to services.

Gender and Development

Explores gender dimensions of community development, including women's empowerment, gender mainstreaming, and addressing gender-based inequalities.

Development Research

Develops research skills for studying community development processes, evaluating interventions, and contributing to evidence-based development practice.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 331,200
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Work-based
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Community Development Theory
Participatory Development Approaches
Project Planning and Management
Social Research Methods
Policy Analysis and Advocacy
Community Needs Assessment
Monitoring and Evaluation
Sustainable Development
Gender and Development
Community Empowerment Strategies

Modules

11 in the programme

Community Development Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical foundations of community development, including modernisation, dependency, participatory, and sustainable development theories.
Participatory Development Approaches
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Participatory methods for community development, including PRA/PLA techniques, community mobilisation, and bottom-up planning approaches.
Project Planning and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Planning, design, implementation, and management of community development projects, including logical framework and results-based management.
Social Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for community development research, including survey design, data collection, and analysis.
Policy Analysis and Advocacy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of development policy frameworks, advocacy strategies, and the role of civil society in shaping community development policy.
Community Needs Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Methods for assessing community needs, assets, and priorities, including participatory assessment tools and data analysis for planning.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems for community development programmes, including indicators, data collection, and impact assessment.
Gender and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Gender dimensions of community development, including women's empowerment, gender mainstreaming, and addressing gender-based inequalities in development.
Sustainable Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Principles and practices of sustainable community development, including environmental sustainability, livelihoods, and natural resource management.
Resource Mobilisation and Grant Writing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Skills for resource mobilisation, proposal writing, fundraising, and financial management for community development organisations.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis or project on a community development topic, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Participatory Development
Focuses on participatory approaches to community development, including PRA/PLA methods, community mobilisation, and bottom-up development planning.
Project Management
Covers planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of community development projects, including logical framework approaches and results-based management.
Social Policy and Advocacy
Examines social policy frameworks, advocacy strategies, and the role of civil society in shaping development policy at local and national levels.
Rural Development
Addresses the unique challenges of rural community development, including agricultural livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and access to services.
Gender and Development
Explores gender dimensions of community development, including women's empowerment, gender mainstreaming, and addressing gender-based inequalities.
Development Research
Develops research skills for studying community development processes, evaluating interventions, and contributing to evidence-based development practice.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with morning lectures on community development theory, participatory approaches, or project management, followed by seminar discussions on contemporary development challenges in Kenya. Afternoons involve practical workshops on community needs assessment, project design exercises, or field research methodology sessions. Students regularly engage with guest practitioners from NGOs, county governments, and international development agencies. Field visits to community development projects provide practical exposure. Independent reading, assignment writing, and research project development occupy significant time, with regular consultations with faculty supervisors for thesis work.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at both public and private universities, providing choice in cost, location, and institutional culture.
High demand for community development professionals driven by Kenya's devolved governance and active NGO sector.
Flexible study modes including full-time, part-time, and work-based options accommodate working professionals.
Practical curriculum emphasising project management, monitoring and evaluation, and participatory approaches.

Against it

Daystar University's tuition at KES 343,200/year is significantly higher than Chuka University's KES 120,000/year.
Field research and community engagement can be logistically challenging and time-consuming.
Limited scholarship opportunities specifically for community development compared to STEM fields.
Some employers may prioritise practical experience over academic qualifications in community development roles.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public120k to 221k

120k at Chuka University221k at University of Nairobi

Private141k to 331k

141k at Presbyterian University of East Africa331k at Daystar 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

Chuka 120K/yr(chuka.ac.ke). UoN proxy 441K/2yr. PUEA 281K/2yr. Daystar 110K/sem(businessradar).

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students at public and private universities. Daystar University may offer institutional financial aid for qualifying students. Chuka University may provide postgraduate scholarships. External funding from development agencies may support students working in community development.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Daystar University Financial Aid
Chuka University Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
Ford Foundation Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
Postgraduate students pursuing degrees that contribute to social justice, community development, and democratic governance.
Daystar University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Qualifying postgraduate students at Daystar University based on academic merit and financial need.

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, agriculture, education, economics, environmental studies, and community development. Daystar University additionally requires evidence of devotion to Christ and sufficient mastery of English. Both institutions offer full-time and part-time study options.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Ongoing assessment through assignments, seminar presentations, project design exercises, and fieldwork reports 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 or project on a community development topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Fieldwork Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of practical community development skills through field visits, community needs assessments, and project design exercises.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university quality assurance. Both Chuka University (public) and Daystar University (private) are CUE-accredited universities.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. Both Chuka University and Daystar University are CUE-accredited universities.
International Association for Community Development (IACD)
Professional membership
Global professional body for community development practitioners, offering membership and professional networking opportunities.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Community Development Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and implements community development programmes for NGOs, government agencies, or international organisations, working directly with communities.
Project Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages development projects for NGOs and international agencies, overseeing planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Development Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides advisory services on community development strategy, programme design, and evaluation for organisations and government agencies.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Analyses development policy, conducts research, and provides recommendations to government, NGOs, and international development agencies.
Programme Coordinator
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Coordinates community development programmes for NGOs and faith-based organisations, managing teams, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in community development, project management, social work, policy analysis, research, and development consultancy across NGOs, government agencies, and international development organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
Research softwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for community survey data analysis, needs assessment, and programme evaluation.
NVivo
Research softwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, focus group discussions, and participatory research findings.
Microsoft Project
Project management
Project management software for planning, scheduling, and tracking community development project activities and budgets.
Google Forms
Data collection
Online survey tool for community needs assessments, baseline surveys, and programme monitoring data collection.
EndNote
Reference management
Reference management software for organising citations and bibliographies in academic writing and thesis preparation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Community development is just about helping poor communities.
The programme involves rigorous academic study of development theory, policy analysis, research methods, and project management, preparing professionals for complex development challenges.
Graduates can only work as social workers.
Graduates work in diverse roles including project management, policy analysis, research, development consultancy, programme coordination, and academia across multiple sectors.
Community development is not relevant in Kenya's devolved governance system.
Devolution has increased demand for community development expertise at county level, with counties requiring skilled professionals for participatory planning and community engagement.
The programme is only for those with social work backgrounds.
The programme is open to graduates from diverse disciplines including social sciences, agriculture, education, economics, and environmental studies.
Community development has limited career prospects compared to business degrees.
Kenya's NGO sector, devolved government, and international development agencies create strong demand for community development professionals with competitive salaries.
The programme focuses only on theory with no practical application.
Both institutions emphasise practical skills through field visits, project design exercises, community needs assessments, and research projects in real community settings.