Master of Arts in Leadership and Security Management
<p>The Master of Arts in Leadership and Security Management is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by Kenyatta University through its School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies. The programme is specifically designed for senior National Police Service officers, equipping them with advanced leadership and security management competencies for effective service in Kenya's security sector.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 147,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 295,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 700,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cybersecurity Data Lawyer, at 9 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The programme addresses the critical need for professional leadership in Kenya's security apparatus, combining leadership theory with security management practice. It prepares senior security officers to navigate complex security challenges including transnational crime, terrorism, cyber threats, and internal security management.
Core areas of study include leadership theory and practice, security management, strategic studies, intelligence analysis, conflict management, security policy, risk assessment, crisis management, and research methods in security studies. Students examine security challenges from both national and regional perspectives.
The programme is offered at Kenyatta University's Mombasa Campus through the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies, which also offers related programmes including the Master of Security Management and Police Studies and the Master of Science in Strategic Studies. The school provides a specialised environment for security sector education.
As a programme restricted to senior National Police Service officers, the curriculum is tailored to the practical realities of Kenya's security sector. Students bring field experience into the classroom, enriching discussions with real-world case studies and operational insights.
Graduates are prepared for senior command and leadership positions within the National Police Service and broader security sector, including roles in strategic security planning, policy development, intelligence management, and inter-agency coordination.
Skills Required
- Strategic Security Leadership
- Security Risk Assessment
- Intelligence Analysis
- Crisis and Emergency Management
- Security Policy Development
- Conflict Management and Resolution
- Strategic Planning
- Organisational Leadership
- Research Methods in Security Studies
- Inter-Agency Coordination
Key Subjects
- Leadership Theory and Practice
- Security Management
- Strategic Studies
- Intelligence Analysis
- Conflict Management
- Security Policy and Governance
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Crisis and Emergency Management
- Research Methods in Security Studies
- Transnational Security Threats
Certifications
- National Police Service Command Certification
- International Association of Chiefs of Police Membership
Specializations
Strategic Security Management
Focuses on strategic-level security planning, national security policy, and the management of security organisations at senior command level.
Intelligence and Security Analysis
Examines intelligence collection, analysis, and assessment methods for informing security decision-making at strategic levels.
Crisis and Emergency Management
Covers leadership during crises, emergency response coordination, disaster management, and business continuity in security contexts.
Conflict Management and Peace Studies
Examines conflict dynamics, conflict resolution mechanisms, and the role of security agencies in peace-building and conflict management.
Security Policy and Governance
Focuses on security sector governance, policy formulation, legal frameworks, and accountability in security sector institutions.
Transnational Security Threats
Examines transnational security challenges including terrorism, organised crime, human trafficking, and cross-border security cooperation.
Cyber Security Leadership
Covers leadership of cyber security initiatives, digital threat assessment, and the integration of cyber security into national security frameworks.
Police Leadership and Administration
Focuses on police service leadership, organisational management, human resource management, and administrative reform in policing.
What you study
10 subjects- Leadership Theory and Practice
- Security Management
- Strategic Studies
- Intelligence Analysis
- Conflict Management
- Security Policy and Governance
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Crisis and Emergency Management
- Research Methods in Security Studies
- Transnational Security Threats
Modules
10 in the programmeLeadership Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines leadership theories and their application in security sector contexts, including command leadership, transformational leadership, and ethical leadership.
Security Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers principles of security management including security planning, resource allocation, operational coordination, and security system design.
Strategic Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines strategic theory, national security strategy, defence policy, and the use of force in international relations.
Intelligence Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers intelligence collection methods, analysis techniques, threat assessment, and the use of intelligence in security decision-making.
Conflict Management and Resolution
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines conflict dynamics, conflict resolution mechanisms, negotiation, and the role of security agencies in conflict management.
Security Policy and Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers security sector governance, policy formulation, legal frameworks, oversight mechanisms, and accountability in security institutions.
Research Methods in Security Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in security and leadership studies.
Crisis and Emergency Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Examines leadership during crises, emergency response coordination, disaster management, and business continuity in security contexts.
Transnational Security Threats
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Examines transnational security challenges including terrorism, organised crime, human trafficking, and cross-border security cooperation.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a leadership and security management topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Specialisations
Strategic Security Management
Focuses on strategic-level security planning, national security policy, and the management of security organisations at senior command level.
Intelligence and Security Analysis
Examines intelligence collection, analysis, and assessment methods for informing security decision-making at strategic levels.
Crisis and Emergency Management
Covers leadership during crises, emergency response coordination, disaster management, and business continuity in security contexts.
Conflict Management and Peace Studies
Examines conflict dynamics, conflict resolution mechanisms, and the role of security agencies in peace-building and conflict management.
Security Policy and Governance
Focuses on security sector governance, policy formulation, legal frameworks, and accountability in security sector institutions.
Transnational Security Threats
Examines transnational security challenges including terrorism, organised crime, human trafficking, and cross-border security cooperation.
Cyber Security Leadership
Covers leadership of cyber security initiatives, digital threat assessment, and the integration of cyber security into national security frameworks.
Police Leadership and Administration
Focuses on police service leadership, organisational management, human resource management, and administrative reform in policing.
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending lectures on leadership theory, security management, or strategic studies at the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies. Students, who are senior police officers, engage in seminar discussions analysing contemporary security challenges, participate in strategic simulations and case study exercises, and present operational research findings. The programme draws heavily on students' field experience, creating a rich peer-learning environment. Those in the research phase conduct security sector research, analyse policy frameworks, and work on their thesis under faculty supervision.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Programme is specifically designed for senior police officers, ensuring curriculum relevance to real-world security challenges. | Programme is restricted to senior National Police Service officers, excluding other security professionals and civilians. |
| Offered through a dedicated School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies with specialised faculty and focused curriculum. | Only one institution offers this exact programme, limiting choice and geographic accessibility. |
| Kenyatta University is a public university with affordable fees of KES 147,500 per year compared to private security programmes. | Balancing full-time police duties with postgraduate study can be challenging for serving officers. |
| Peer learning from fellow senior officers enriches classroom discussions with diverse operational experience and perspectives. | Career advancement in the police service is primarily determined by rank structure and commission, not solely by academic qualifications. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 331 business 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
KU 120,000+27,500=147,500/yr. MKU 59,550x2=119,100. Strathmore 350,000x2=700,000/yr.
Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, National Police Service sponsorship for eligible officers, and Kenyatta University postgraduate bursaries for demonstrated financial need.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
National Police Service Sponsorship
Kenyatta University Postgraduate Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
National Police Service Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 147,500Kenyan
Serving senior National Police Service officers nominated for postgraduate training.
Kenyatta University Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Postgraduate students demonstrating financial need at Kenyatta University.
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
The programme is restricted to senior National Police Service officers. Applicants must meet both academic requirements and professional service requirements. Any other qualification recognised by the University Senate may be accepted.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Kenyatta University.
Including Kenyatta University.
Including Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, case study analyses, security simulations, policy briefs, and presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering all course unit content, including essay questions and security analysis scenarios.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a leadership and security management topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Practical Security Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Practical assessment of security management skills through simulations, operational planning exercises, and strategic analysis.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Professional membership
Global professional association for police chiefs. Membership recommended for professional networking and standards.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies at Kenyatta University.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesSenior Police Commander
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Holds senior command positions within the National Police Service, leading operations, strategic planning, and organisational management.
Security Manager (Corporate)
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages corporate security functions including risk assessment, threat mitigation, and security operations. Security managers in Kenya earn KES 150,000 to 350,000 per month.
Risk Management Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Analyses security risks, develops risk mitigation strategies, and advises organisations on security risk management.
Crisis Management Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Coordinates crisis response, emergency management, and business continuity planning for organisations and government agencies.
Security Policy Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Advises government and international organisations on security policy, strategic planning, and security sector reform.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches security studies, leadership, and strategic studies at universities, contributing to research and scholarship.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue senior command and leadership positions within the National Police Service and broader security sector, with security managers in Kenya earning KES 150,000 to 350,000 per month in corporate roles.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cybersecurity Data LawyerLaw9Low exposure
- Climate Change AnalystEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Wildlife Corridors EcologistEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Finance AnalystEnvironmental Science11Low exposure
- In-House CounselLaw11Low exposure
Tools you will learn
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for quantitative analysis in security research, including crime statistics and threat assessment data.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing security policy documents, intelligence reports, and interview data.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Data analysis and management tool for security planning, resource allocation, and operational analysis.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Software
Spatial analysis tool for crime mapping, threat assessment, and security operations planning.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
The programme is open to all applicants.
The MA in Leadership and Security Management is specifically designed for senior National Police Service officers, restricting eligibility to serving police officers at senior ranks.
Security management is just about physical security and guarding.
The programme covers strategic-level security including intelligence analysis, policy development, transnational threats, cyber security, and crisis management at national level.
Police officers don't need advanced academic qualifications.
Modern security challenges require strategic-level analytical and leadership capabilities that benefit from advanced academic study and research.
The programme only covers domestic security.
The curriculum examines transnational security threats, regional security cooperation, and global security frameworks alongside domestic security management.
A security degree has limited application outside the police service.
Graduates develop transferable skills in risk management, crisis leadership, policy analysis, and strategic planning applicable in corporate security, international organisations, and government.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical relevance.
The programme is designed for serving senior officers who bring real-world experience, with case studies, simulations, and research projects directly applicable to their operational contexts.