Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Ethics and Organizational Leadership

The Master of Arts in Ethics and Organizational Leadership at Tangaza University is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by the Centre for Leadership and Management within the School of Arts and Social Sciences. Developed in partnership with DePaul University in Chicago, the programme prepares ethical leaders for socially responsible organisations across Africa.

The programme develops educated citizens with a sense of moral obligation, competent in critical analysis of the forces shaping their world. Students learn how ethics positively impacts leadership at both theoretical and practical levels of decision-making and human relations, enabling them to create organisations that inspire confidence and trust among stakeholders.

Core focus areas include ethical knowledge and integrity in the workplace, analysis of contemporary challenges through ethical principles, personal and collective values in decision-making, conflict resolution, and justice and fairness. The programme also covers forensic auditing for detecting corrupt systems, building ethical organisational culture, and promoting civic responsibility.

The curriculum integrates theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing graduates to implement zero-tolerance policies for ethical violations and influence productivity through transparent decision-making processes. Students develop research competence through rigorous scholarly inquiry into ethical leadership challenges.

Delivery modes include face-to-face learning and blended online and in-person instruction, with intakes in January, May, and September. The programme accommodates working professionals seeking to enhance their ethical leadership capabilities whilst maintaining their careers.

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in governance, compliance, corporate ethics, public administration, and civil society organisations. The programme's accreditation by the Commission for University Education ensures recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region.

Skills Required

Ethical Leadership
Organizational Ethics
Forensic Auditing
Conflict Resolution
Corporate Governance
Ethical Decision-Making
Research Methods in Ethics
Organizational Culture Development
Civic Responsibility Promotion
Stakeholder Management

Key Subjects

Ethical Theory and Principles
Organizational Leadership
Forensic Auditing
Conflict Resolution and Justice
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Research Methods in Ethics
Decision-Making and Values
Organizational Culture and Ethics
Civic Responsibility and Public Ethics
Anti-Corruption Strategies

Certifications

Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)
Centre for Corporate Governance Certification

Specializations

Corporate Ethics and Compliance

Focuses on developing and implementing ethics programmes, compliance frameworks, and corporate governance standards within organisations.

Public Sector Ethics

Addresses ethical challenges in public administration, including anti-corruption strategies, public service integrity, and civic responsibility.

Forensic Auditing and Anti-Corruption

Covers forensic auditing techniques for detecting and addressing corrupt systems and organisational practices.

Organizational Culture and Leadership

Focuses on building ethical organisational cultures where integrity is recognised and affirmed through leadership practices.

Conflict Resolution and Justice

Examines the role of personal and collective values in decision-making, conflict resolution, and promoting justice and fairness.

Nonprofit and NGO Ethics

Addresses ethical leadership challenges in nonprofit organisations, including accountability, transparency, and stakeholder trust.

Research in Ethical Leadership

Develops research competence for conducting rigorous scholarly inquiry into ethical leadership challenges and organisational practices.

Civic Responsibility and Public Ethics

Focuses on promoting civic responsibility and ethical behaviour in the public domain, addressing societal ethical challenges.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 205,600
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Ethical Theory and Principles
Organizational Leadership
Forensic Auditing
Conflict Resolution and Justice
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Research Methods in Ethics
Decision-Making and Values
Organizational Culture and Ethics
Civic Responsibility and Public Ethics
Anti-Corruption Strategies

Modules

11 in the programme

Ethical Theory and Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major ethical theories and principles, providing the philosophical foundation for ethical decision-making in organisational contexts.
Organizational Leadership
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers leadership theories and practices, focusing on how ethical leadership impacts organisational culture, decision-making, and stakeholder trust.
Research Methods in Ethics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops research competence for conducting rigorous scholarly inquiry into ethical leadership challenges and organisational practices.
Decision-Making and Values
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the impact of personal and collective values on decision-making processes, including ethical frameworks for resolving value conflicts.
Conflict Resolution and Justice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers theories and techniques of conflict resolution, focusing on justice and fairness in organisational and public settings.
Forensic Auditing and Anti-Corruption
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops skills in forensic auditing for detecting and addressing corrupt systems and organisational practices, including investigation techniques.
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines corporate governance frameworks, compliance systems, and regulatory requirements for maintaining ethical standards in organisations.
Organizational Culture and Ethics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Focuses on creating organisational cultures based on ethical standards, where integrity is recognised and affirmed through leadership practices.
Civic Responsibility and Public Ethics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Explores the promotion of civic responsibility and ethical behaviour in the public domain, addressing societal ethical challenges in Kenya.
Contemporary Ethical Challenges in Kenya
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Analyses contemporary issues and challenges facing Kenya in the light of ethical principles, including corruption, governance, and social justice.
Master's Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original research project investigating an ethical leadership or organisational ethics topic, demonstrating scholarly competence and contributing to the field.

Specialisations

Corporate Ethics and Compliance
Focuses on developing and implementing ethics programmes, compliance frameworks, and corporate governance standards within organisations.
Public Sector Ethics
Addresses ethical challenges in public administration, including anti-corruption strategies, public service integrity, and civic responsibility.
Forensic Auditing and Anti-Corruption
Covers forensic auditing techniques for detecting and addressing corrupt systems and organisational practices.
Organizational Culture and Leadership
Focuses on building ethical organisational cultures where integrity is recognised and affirmed through leadership practices.
Conflict Resolution and Justice
Examines the role of personal and collective values in decision-making, conflict resolution, and promoting justice and fairness.
Nonprofit and NGO Ethics
Addresses ethical leadership challenges in nonprofit organisations, including accountability, transparency, and stakeholder trust.
Research in Ethical Leadership
Develops research competence for conducting rigorous scholarly inquiry into ethical leadership challenges and organisational practices.
Civic Responsibility and Public Ethics
Focuses on promoting civic responsibility and ethical behaviour in the public domain, addressing societal ethical challenges.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on ethical theory, organisational leadership, or forensic auditing at the Centre for Leadership and Management. Students engage in case study discussions analysing real-world ethical dilemmas in Kenyan organisations, participate in group projects on conflict resolution and ethical decision-making, and present seminar papers on contemporary ethical challenges. Those in the research phase spend time in the library conducting literature reviews on ethical leadership topics and working on their thesis under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Developed in partnership with DePaul University, Chicago, bringing international perspectives to ethical leadership education in Africa.
Unique programme addressing the critical need for ethical leadership in Kenya and Africa, with no comparable programme at other Kenyan universities.
Flexible delivery modes including face-to-face and blended online learning accommodate working professionals.
Diverse learning environment with students and faculty from over 40 countries, enriching classroom discussions and perspectives.

Against it

Only one institution in Kenya offers this programme, limiting choice and geographic accessibility.
Programme is offered at a private university, meaning no government-subsidised fee option is available.
Relatively new programme (launched in 2021), meaning limited alumni networks and established career pathways.
Detailed curriculum modules are not publicly available on the university website, requiring prospective students to contact the institution for full syllabus information.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public171k to 221k

171k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private116k to 206k

116k at Tangaza University206k 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

UoN 220.5K, SPU 205.6K, Tangaza 116K verified. Maseno unverified.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, Tangaza University bursaries for demonstrated financial need, and the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme for academically talented Africans.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Tangaza University Bursary
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Tangaza University Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Postgraduate students demonstrating financial need at Tangaza University.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
Academically talented young Africans facing economic, social, or institutional barriers.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants must show evidence of competence to do rigorous research work. International applicants from non-English speaking countries must present evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS overall band score of 7.0 or higher, or TOEFL iBT with minimum sub-scores). The Postgraduate Studies Admission Board has overall authority to admit or decline candidates.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, seminar presentations, case study analyses, and group projects conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering all module content, including essay questions and ethical scenario analysis.
Master's Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research project assessed through written submission and oral defence, demonstrating scholarly competence in ethical leadership.
Seminar Participation
Coursework30% of the mark
Active participation in seminars including presentations, debates, and critical discussions on ethical leadership topics.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by the Centre for Leadership and Management at Tangaza University, developed in partnership with DePaul University, Chicago.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics
Professional certification
Global professional body for compliance and ethics professionals. Certification recommended for professional practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Corporate Governance Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Develops and implements corporate governance frameworks, ensuring board compliance and ethical standards in corporate organisations.
Compliance Monitoring Officer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Monitors organisational compliance with regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and internal policies, conducting audits and investigations.
Ethics and Integrity Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Develops and manages ethics programmes in organisations, promoting integrity and addressing ethical violations. International organisations in Nairobi offer competitive salaries.
Nonprofit Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Leads nonprofit organisations with ethical governance practices, ensuring accountability, transparency, and stakeholder trust.
Anti-Corruption Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Works with anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations, developing and implementing strategies to combat corruption in public and private sectors.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches ethics, leadership, and governance courses at universities, contributing to training the next generation of ethical leaders.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue roles in corporate governance, ethics compliance, public administration, nonprofit leadership, and anti-corruption advocacy across Kenya's public, private, and civil society sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Used for forensic auditing data analysis, compliance tracking, and organisational ethics reporting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for research data analysis in ethical leadership studies.
Microsoft Word
Software
Primary tool for academic writing, thesis preparation, and policy document drafting.
Google Scholar
Platform
Academic search engine for finding scholarly literature on ethics, leadership, and organisational behaviour.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Ethics and organisational leadership is a soft subject with no practical career application.
The programme includes forensic auditing, compliance frameworks, and anti-corruption strategies, all of which have direct practical applications in corporate governance and public administration.
The programme is only for those working in religious organisations.
While Tangaza University is a Catholic institution, the programme is designed for professionals across all sectors including corporate, public, and nonprofit organisations.
Ethics training is unnecessary for experienced leaders.
Research by the Centre for Leadership and Management revealed an overwhelming need for ethics training at master's level, even among experienced professionals, as most graduates do not study ethics during their undergraduate programmes.
The programme focuses only on Kenyan ethical challenges.
The programme prepares global citizens with a sense of moral obligation, addressing ethical challenges in both Kenyan and international contexts, with students from over 40 countries.
Online and blended learning modes are less rigorous than face-to-face.
The blended mode maintains the same academic rigour as face-to-face learning, with the same curriculum, assessments, and faculty engagement.
Graduates can only work as ethics officers.
Graduates pursue diverse roles including corporate governance, compliance management, public administration, nonprofit leadership, consulting, and academia.