Master of Arts in Criminal and Transitional Justice
The Master of Arts in Criminal and Transitional Justice provides advanced training in criminal justice, transitional justice, criminology, human rights, and post-conflict justice mechanisms. Students learn criminal justice theory, transitional justice frameworks, post-conflict reconciliation, human rights, and justice policy analysis. The programme is designed for criminal justice professionals, lawyers, human rights advocates, and post-conflict justice practitioners seeking advanced qualifications.
Students develop advanced competencies in criminal justice, transitional justice, criminology, human rights, post-conflict justice, and policy analysis. The curriculum covers criminal justice theory, transitional justice frameworks, criminology, human rights and international law, post-conflict justice mechanisms, research methods, policy analysis, and a research dissertation. Practical skills are developed through case studies and applied research.
Criminal and transitional justice expertise is important for Kenya and the East African region, which has experienced conflict and post-conflict transitions. Justice institutions, human rights organisations, international criminal justice bodies, NGOs, and government require trained personnel for criminal and transitional justice. Kenya's role as a regional hub for international justice creates demand for expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced criminal and transitional justice training.
The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, discussions, and research. Students study justice concepts, analyse transitional justice mechanisms, examine criminal justice systems, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, group discussions, and research-based work. The programme is offered on campus with intake in September (Fall).
Graduates find employment as criminal justice analysts, transitional justice officers, human rights advocates, policy analysts, or researchers in justice institutions, human rights organisations, international criminal justice bodies, NGOs, and government. The master's degree supports careers in justice policy, human rights advocacy, and post-conflict justice.
This programme is ideal for criminal justice professionals, lawyers, human rights advocates, and individuals seeking advanced qualifications in criminal and transitional justice. The programme provides advanced skills for justice sector leadership and post-conflict justice roles.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 490,000
- Private, up to
- Ksh 325,500
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- On Campus
- Attachment
- 0 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Master
What you study
10 subjects- Criminal Justice Theory
- Transitional Justice Frameworks
- Criminology
- Human Rights and International Law
- Post-Conflict Justice Mechanisms
- International Criminal Justice
- Research Methods
- Policy Analysis
- Truth, Justice and Reconciliation
- Dissertation Research
Modules
8 in the programmeCriminal Justice Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Criminal justice theory covering criminal justice systems, justice theories, restorative justice, and comparative criminal justice in Kenya, East Africa, and globally.
Transitional Justice Frameworks
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Transitional justice frameworks covering truth commissions, prosecutions, reparations, institutional reform, reconciliation, and transitional justice mechanisms.
Criminology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Criminology covering criminological theories, crime causation, victimology, and contemporary criminological issues in Kenya and East Africa.
Human Rights and International Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Human rights and international law covering international human rights law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and human rights mechanisms.
Post-Conflict Justice and Reconciliation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Post-conflict justice covering post-conflict justice mechanisms, truth and reconciliation processes, DDR programmes, and post-conflict institutional reform.
International Criminal Justice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
International criminal justice covering the ICC, international tribunals, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and international criminal justice mechanisms.
Research Methods and Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methods covering qualitative and quantitative methods, and policy analysis covering justice policy analysis, policy evaluation, and evidence-based policy.
Dissertation Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research dissertation on a criminal or transitional justice topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to justice studies knowledge.
Specialisations
Transitional Justice
Focus on post-conflict justice mechanisms, truth commissions, reparations, reconciliation, and institutional reform.
International Criminal Justice
Focus on the ICC, international tribunals, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and international criminal law.
Criminal Justice Policy
Focus on criminal justice systems, justice policy, restorative justice, and criminal justice reform.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on criminal justice or transitional justice with afternoon case study discussions and research work. Students study justice theories, analyse transitional justice mechanisms, examine criminal justice systems, and conduct policy research. Group work involves case studies of post-conflict justice processes and criminal justice policy analysis. The on-campus programme provides access to USIU-Africa's criminal justice lab and research resources.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Unique programme combining criminal justice and transitional justice, addressing Kenya and East Africa's justice and post-conflict needs.
- Offered at USIU-Africa, a prestigious international university with strong academic resources and regional networks.
- Provides advanced qualifications for justice sector leadership, human rights advocacy, and international criminal justice roles.
Against it
- USIU-Africa's fees are relatively high at KES 325,500/year.
- Only one intake per year (September/Fall), limiting flexibility.
- Career opportunities in transitional justice may depend on political contexts and post-conflict situations.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 12 law coursesAnnual 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
USIU 325,500/yr (usiu.ac.ke fee schedule). Public unverified. Strathmore unverified.
HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. USIU-Africa offers institutional scholarships and financial aid for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB 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 (Upper Second Class honours, GPA 3.00/4.00) in Criminal Justice, Law, Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, International Relations, Political Science, Human Rights or related field; or Lower Second Class honours (GPA 2.50/4.00) with relevant training, research capability, and work experience; or relevant Postgraduate Diploma.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework and Case Studies
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, case study analyses, and presentations evaluating understanding of criminal and transitional justice concepts.
Research Papers and Policy Analysis
Project30% of the mark
Research papers, policy analysis assignments, and case studies of transitional justice processes.
Dissertation Defence
Project30% of the mark
A master's dissertation demonstrating research competence in criminal and transitional justice.
Accreditation
USIU-Africa is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MA programme is accredited by CUE.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
USIU-Africa 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 rolesCriminal Justice Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Analyses criminal justice systems and policies in government, research institutions, or NGOs, providing research-based recommendations for justice reform.
Transitional Justice Officer
Moderate demand
Works on transitional justice programmes in international organisations, NGOs, or government, supporting truth, justice, and reconciliation processes.
Human Rights Advocate
Moderate demand
Advocates for human rights and justice in human rights organisations, using criminal and transitional justice expertise to advance accountability and reform.
Policy Analyst (Justice)
Moderate demand
Analyses justice policy for government, think tanks, or international organisations, providing research-based recommendations on criminal and transitional justice policy.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as criminal justice analysts, transitional justice officers, and human rights advocates in justice institutions, international criminal justice bodies, NGOs, and government, with opportunities for policy research and doctoral studies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cybersecurity & Data Breach Response LawyerLaw9Low exposure
- In-House CounselLaw11Low exposure
- Human Rights LawyerLaw18Low exposure
- AI Governance LawyerLaw20Low exposure
- Criminal Defense LawyerLaw20Low exposure
- Constitutional LawyerLaw22Low exposure
- Legal Risk AnalystLaw22Low exposure
- AI & Intellectual Property LawyerLaw25Low exposure
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Transitional justice is just about prosecuting war criminals.
Transitional justice includes truth commissions, reparations, institutional reform, reconciliation, and memorialisation, not just prosecution.
Criminal justice is only for law enforcement.
Criminal justice covers courts, corrections, policy, human rights, restorative justice, and post-conflict justice, involving diverse professionals.
Transitional justice is only for post-conflict countries.
Transitional justice principles apply to any society addressing historical injustices, systemic abuses, or institutional reform.
A master's in criminal and transitional justice has limited career value.
Kenya and East Africa's justice and human rights sectors create demand for expertise, with opportunities in international criminal justice, NGOs, and government.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Master of Arts in Criminal and Transitional Justice are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.