Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Criminology

The Master of Arts in Criminology is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced training in the study of crime, criminal justice, and security. Offered at Kisii University and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, the programme prepares graduates to analyse crime patterns, evaluate criminal justice systems, and contribute to security policy and practice in Kenya and beyond.

The curriculum covers criminological theory, criminal justice systems, penology, victimology, security studies, research methods, and crime prevention strategies. Students examine the social, economic, and political causes of crime, as well as the effectiveness of criminal justice institutions and security interventions in addressing criminal behaviour.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with at least an Upper Second Class Honours from a recognised university. Applicants with a Lower Second Class Honours and at least two years of relevant work experience may also be considered. Both institutions offer full-time and part-time study modes over two years.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through the respective schools of arts and social sciences. Kisii University is located in Kisii County, while MMUST is in Kakamega County, providing access to criminology education in western Kenya.

Career prospects include roles in law enforcement, security management, criminal justice administration, policy analysis, research, and academia. Graduates work in police services, correctional facilities, security agencies, government ministries, research institutions, and private security firms.

The programme addresses Kenya's complex security challenges including urban crime, terrorism, cybercrime, and transnational crime. With ongoing reforms in the criminal justice system and growing demand for evidence-based security policy, there is increasing need for professionals with advanced criminological training who can analyse crime trends and contribute to effective crime prevention strategies.

Skills Required

Criminological theory and analysis
Criminal justice system evaluation
Crime prevention strategy design
Security studies and risk assessment
Research methods in criminology
Penology and correctional studies
Victimology and victim support
Policy analysis and development
Crime data analysis and interpretation
Academic writing and thesis research

Key Subjects

Criminological Theory
Criminal Justice Systems
Penology and Corrections
Victimology
Security Studies
Research Methods in Criminology
Crime Prevention Strategies
Cybercrime and Transnational Crime
Criminal Law and Procedure
Crime Data Analysis

Certifications

Kenya National Police Service Certification
International Criminology Society Membership
Security Professional Certification (ASIS)
UNODC Crime Prevention Certification

Specializations

Criminal Justice Systems

Examines the structure, functioning, and effectiveness of criminal justice institutions including police, courts, and correctional services.

Security Studies

Focuses on security threats, security sector governance, counter-terrorism, and the relationship between security and development.

Penology and Corrections

Covers theories and practices of punishment, prison systems, rehabilitation, and alternative correctional approaches.

Crime Prevention

Examines crime prevention theories and strategies, including community policing, situational crime prevention, and social crime prevention.

Victimology

Studies the experiences and needs of crime victims, victim support services, and the role of victims in the criminal justice process.

Cybercrime and Transnational Crime

Analyses emerging forms of crime including cybercrime, organised crime, human trafficking, and transnational criminal networks.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 150,750
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Criminological Theory
Criminal Justice Systems
Penology and Corrections
Victimology
Security Studies
Research Methods in Criminology
Crime Prevention Strategies
Cybercrime and Transnational Crime
Criminal Law and Procedure
Crime Data Analysis

Modules

11 in the programme

Criminological Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Classical and contemporary theories of crime causation, including strain theory, labelling theory, social learning theory, and critical criminology.
Criminal Justice Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure and functioning of criminal justice systems, including police, courts, and corrections, with comparative analysis of different models.
Research Methods in Criminology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for criminological research, including crime data analysis, survey design, and ethical considerations.
Penology and Corrections
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and practices of punishment, prison systems, rehabilitation programmes, and alternative correctional approaches.
Security Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of security threats, security sector governance, counter-terrorism, and the relationship between security and development.
Victimology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of crime victims, including victimisation patterns, victim support services, and the role of victims in criminal justice processes.
Crime Prevention Strategies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories and practices of crime prevention, including community policing, situational prevention, environmental design, and social prevention programmes.
Criminal Law and Procedure
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Legal frameworks governing criminal justice, including criminal law principles, procedural law, and rights of the accused.
Cybercrime and Transnational Crime
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Emerging forms of crime including cybercrime, organised crime, human trafficking, and transnational criminal networks.
Crime Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Methods for collecting, analysing, and interpreting crime data, including crime mapping, statistical analysis, and crime trend forecasting.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis on a criminology topic, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Criminal Justice Systems
Examines the structure, functioning, and effectiveness of criminal justice institutions including police, courts, and correctional services.
Security Studies
Focuses on security threats, security sector governance, counter-terrorism, and the relationship between security and development.
Penology and Corrections
Covers theories and practices of punishment, prison systems, rehabilitation, and alternative correctional approaches.
Crime Prevention
Examines crime prevention theories and strategies, including community policing, situational crime prevention, and social crime prevention.
Victimology
Studies the experiences and needs of crime victims, victim support services, and the role of victims in the criminal justice process.
Cybercrime and Transnational Crime
Analyses emerging forms of crime including cybercrime, organised crime, human trafficking, and transnational criminal networks.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with morning lectures on criminological theory, criminal justice systems, or security studies, followed by seminar discussions on contemporary crime issues in Kenya and the region. Afternoons involve case study analysis, crime data workshops, or research methodology sessions. Students regularly engage with guest speakers from police services, correctional facilities, and security agencies. Field visits to courts, prisons, or police stations provide practical exposure to the criminal justice system. Independent reading, crime data analysis, and thesis research occupy significant time, with regular consultations with academic supervisors.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at two public universities, providing choice in location and cost between Kisii and Kakamega.
High demand for criminology expertise driven by Kenya's complex security challenges and criminal justice reforms.
Flexible study modes including full-time, part-time, and open distance e-learning at MMUST accommodate working professionals.
Affordable tuition at public universities, with Kisii University at KES 100,000/year being particularly cost-effective.

Against it

Limited to western Kenya institutions, requiring relocation for students from other regions.
Limited scholarship opportunities specifically for criminology at the postgraduate level.
Field visits to criminal justice institutions may be logistically challenging and require security clearances.
Some employers in the security sector may prioritise professional experience or military/police training over academic qualifications.

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

Public100k to 151k

100k at Kisii University151k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

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 100K/yr(kisiiuniv.ac.ke). MMUST 150,750/yr(mmust.ac.ke). Private unverified.

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students at public universities. Both Kisii University and MMUST may offer institution-specific postgraduate scholarships. Security sector agencies may provide sponsorship for employees pursuing criminology qualifications.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Kisii University Postgraduate Scholarships
MMUST 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.
Security Sector Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Employees of security sector agencies may receive sponsorship for criminology qualifications as part of professional development.
UNODC Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
Researchers and students working on crime and justice issues may access UNODC-supported research and training grants.

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 criminology, sociology, political science, law, security studies, and social sciences. Relevant professional experience in law enforcement, security, or criminal justice may be considered. 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, case study analyses, and crime data 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 criminology topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Field Visit Report
Practical20% of the mark
Assessment based on field visits to criminal justice institutions, including observation reports and institutional analysis.

Accreditation

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

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. Both Kisii University and MMUST are CUE-accredited public universities.
National Police Service Commission
Professional alignment
Kenyan government body overseeing police service standards. Graduates entering police careers should align with NPSC recruitment and training requirements.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Security Analyst
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Analyses security threats and crime patterns for security agencies, private firms, or government, producing intelligence reports and risk assessments.
Criminal Justice Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Manages criminal justice programmes and institutions, overseeing operations, policy implementation, and service delivery in justice sector agencies.
Crime Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Conducts research on crime trends, criminal justice effectiveness, and security issues for research institutions, government, and international organisations.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Analyses crime and security policy, develops evidence-based recommendations, and advises government and NGOs on criminal justice reform.
University Lecturer in Criminology
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches criminology and criminal justice courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, conducts research, and supervises student projects.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in law enforcement, security management, criminal justice administration, policy analysis, research, and academia across police services, security agencies, government, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
Research softwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for crime data analysis, survey research, and criminological research.
NVivo
Research softwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, case studies, and qualitative criminological research.
GIS Software (QGIS)
Crime mapping
Geographic information system software for crime mapping, spatial analysis of crime patterns, and hotspot identification.
EndNote
Reference management
Reference management software for organising citations and bibliographies in academic writing and thesis preparation.
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet software for crime data organisation, basic statistical analysis, and data visualisation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Criminology is only for those wanting to join the police.
The programme prepares graduates for diverse roles including research, policy analysis, security management, corrections, and academia, not only law enforcement.
Criminology is the same as criminal law.
Criminology is a social science studying crime causes, patterns, and prevention, while criminal law focuses on legal statutes and procedures.
A criminology degree guarantees a job in security agencies.
While the programme is relevant to security careers, employment depends on agency recruitment processes, with the degree providing a competitive advantage.
Criminology has no practical application.
The programme includes crime data analysis, field visits to criminal justice institutions, and research projects addressing real crime and security challenges.
The programme is only about studying criminals.
Criminology also studies victims, criminal justice institutions, crime prevention, and the social, economic, and political factors that influence crime.
Criminology is not relevant in Kenya.
Kenya faces complex crime challenges including urban crime, terrorism, cybercrime, and transnational crime, creating strong demand for criminological expertise.