Business

Master of Arts in Leadership and Management

The Master of Arts in Leadership and Management is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by Scott Christian University. The programme integrates both the science of management and the art of leadership through its grounding in both business and the liberal arts, preparing graduates for leadership roles across corporate, government, and non-profit environments.

The 55 credit hour curriculum is designed to enable students to acquire analytical techniques of management and develop the ability to apply these techniques to real-life scenarios. The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, ensuring graduates can navigate complex organisational challenges effectively.

Core areas of study include leadership theory, management science, organisational behaviour, strategic management, financial management, human resource management, research methods, and project management. Students examine leadership and management from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

The programme offers four areas of specialisation: Civic Leadership, Educational Leadership and Management, Organisational Leadership and Management, and Church Leadership and Management. These specialisations allow students to tailor their studies to their specific professional contexts and career aspirations.

Scott Christian University, located in Machakos County, provides a faith-based learning environment that integrates Christian values with academic rigour. The programme is designed for both recent graduates and mid-career professionals seeking to advance their leadership and management capabilities.

Graduates are prepared for senior management and leadership roles in business, education, government, NGOs, and religious organisations. The programme's integration of leadership and management distinguishes it from pure MBA or pure leadership programmes, providing a versatile skill set for complex organisational environments.

Skills Required

Strategic Leadership and Management
Organisational Behaviour Analysis
Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Project Management
Research Methods in Management
Change Management
Policy Analysis and Development
Team Leadership and Development
Resource Mobilisation

Key Subjects

Leadership Theory and Practice
Management Science
Organisational Behaviour
Strategic Management
Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Research Methods in Management
Project Management
Change Management
Policy Analysis and Development

Certifications

Kenya Institute of Management Membership
Project Management Professional (PMP)

Specializations

Civic Leadership

Focuses on leadership in public and civic contexts, including public sector management, community leadership, and civic engagement.

Educational Leadership and Management

Examines leadership and management in educational institutions, including school administration, educational policy, and academic management.

Organisational Leadership and Management

Covers leadership and management of organisations across sectors, including strategic management, organisational development, and performance improvement.

Church Leadership and Management

Focuses on leadership and management of church and religious organisations, including church administration, governance, and ministry management.

Strategic Management

Examines strategic planning, competitive analysis, and strategic decision-making for organisational effectiveness.

Financial Management

Covers financial planning, budgeting, financial analysis, and resource management for organisational sustainability.

Project Management

Focuses on project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and project leadership.

Human Resource Development

Examines talent management, employee development, performance management, and building effective teams.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 256,200
Private, up to: Ksh 160,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Leadership Theory and Practice
Management Science
Organisational Behaviour
Strategic Management
Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Research Methods in Management
Project Management
Change Management
Policy Analysis and Development

Modules

10 in the programme

Leadership Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major leadership theories including trait, behavioural, contingency, transformational, and servant leadership approaches.
Management Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers management principles, planning, organising, leading, and controlling in organisational contexts.
Organisational Behaviour
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines individual, group, and organisational dynamics including motivation, team dynamics, organisational culture, and change.
Strategic Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers strategic analysis, strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation for organisational effectiveness.
Financial Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines financial planning, budgeting, financial analysis, investment decisions, and financial management in organisations.
Human Resource Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers talent management, performance management, employee relations, and human resource development strategies.
Research Methods in Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in leadership and management.
Project Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Examines project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and project leadership techniques.
Change Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Covers theories and practices of organisational change, including change models, resistance management, and change leadership.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a leadership and management topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Civic Leadership
Focuses on leadership in public and civic contexts, including public sector management, community leadership, and civic engagement.
Educational Leadership and Management
Examines leadership and management in educational institutions, including school administration, educational policy, and academic management.
Organisational Leadership and Management
Covers leadership and management of organisations across sectors, including strategic management, organisational development, and performance improvement.
Church Leadership and Management
Focuses on leadership and management of church and religious organisations, including church administration, governance, and ministry management.
Strategic Management
Examines strategic planning, competitive analysis, and strategic decision-making for organisational effectiveness.
Financial Management
Covers financial planning, budgeting, financial analysis, and resource management for organisational sustainability.
Project Management
Focuses on project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and project leadership.
Human Resource Development
Examines talent management, employee development, performance management, and building effective teams.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on leadership theory, management science, or organisational behaviour. Students engage in case study discussions analysing real-world management challenges, participate in team projects and leadership simulations, and present strategic plans for organisational improvement. The programme integrates business and liberal arts perspectives, encouraging critical thinking about leadership and management in diverse contexts. Those in the research phase conduct organisational assessments, analyse management practices, and work on their thesis under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme integrates leadership and management, providing a versatile skill set applicable across sectors.
Four specialisation tracks allow students to tailor studies to their professional context in civic, educational, organisational, or church leadership.
55 credit hour curriculum grounded in both business and liberal arts provides a well-rounded education.
Faith-based learning environment integrates Christian values with academic rigour, appealing to students seeking values-driven education.

Against it

Only one institution offers this exact programme, limiting choice and geographic accessibility.
Scott Christian University is a private institution, and fees could not be independently verified from official online sources.
Located in Machakos County, which may require relocation or travel for students from other regions.
As a smaller university, Scott Christian may have fewer industry partnerships and networking opportunities compared to larger institutions.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public171k to 256k

171k at Maseno University256k at University of Nairobi

Private119k to 160k

119k at Mount Kenya University160k at Scott Christian 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

MKU 59,550/semx2=119,100/yr verified. Maseno/UoN/Scott unverified-no specific fee data found.

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

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Scott Christian University Bursary
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Scott Christian University Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Postgraduate students demonstrating financial need at Scott Christian 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: Holders of a Lower Second Class Honours degree with relevant work experience may be considered. Any other qualification recognised by the University Senate may be accepted. Applicants should submit academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, case study analyses, management projects, presentations, and reflective journals conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering all course unit content, including essay questions and management analysis scenarios.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a leadership and management topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Practical Management Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Practical assessment of management skills through simulations, team projects, and organisational analysis exercises.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by Scott Christian University.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
Kenya Institute of Management
Professional membership
Kenyan professional management body. Membership recommended for professional networking and recognition.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Organisational Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages organisations in business, government, or non-profit sectors, with senior positions earning KES 200,000 to 350,000 per month.
Human Resource Manager
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages human resource functions including recruitment, talent development, performance management, and employee relations.
Project Manager
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 280,000
Leads projects from initiation to completion, managing scope, budget, timeline, and project teams across sectors.
Education Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages educational institutions including schools, colleges, and training programmes, overseeing operations and academic quality.
Church Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages church and religious organisation operations, including finance, programmes, staff, and administrative functions.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches leadership and management courses at universities, contributing to research and scholarship.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue senior management and leadership roles in business, education, government, NGOs, and religious organisations, with strong demand for integrated leadership and management expertise.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Project
SoftwarePrimary
Project management software for planning, executing, and monitoring projects and strategic initiatives.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for research data analysis in management and leadership studies.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Financial analysis, budgeting, and data management tool for management decision-making.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Software
Presentation software for strategic presentations, stakeholder engagement, and training delivery.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Leadership and management are the same thing.
The programme distinguishes between leadership (setting direction, inspiring people) and management (planning, organising, controlling), integrating both for organisational effectiveness.
A leadership and management degree is just an MBA with a different name.
The programme integrates leadership theory and management science with grounding in liberal arts, providing a broader perspective than a traditional MBA focused primarily on business.
Only business professionals benefit from this programme.
The programme offers specialisations in Civic Leadership, Educational Leadership, Organisational Leadership, and Church Leadership, serving diverse sectors.
A faith-based university degree is not respected in the corporate world.
Scott Christian University is CUE-accredited, and its programmes meet the same academic standards as all other accredited Kenyan universities.
Leadership cannot be taught; it requires natural ability.
Research consistently shows that leadership and management capabilities can be developed through structured learning, practice, and reflection.
The programme is only for those already in leadership positions.
The programme is designed for both emerging leaders and mid-career professionals seeking to develop leadership and management capabilities for career advancement.