Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Mission Studies

The Master of Arts in Mission Studies is a postgraduate programme offered by Africa International University through its School of Theology. The programme integrates the development of professional ministerial skills in missions with academic studies, equipping leaders with knowledge, skills, and character qualities required for missions-related ministries of the church and church-related organisations.

The programme combines scholarly and professional competence in the field of missions, covering biblical foundations of mission, cross-cultural communication, mission history, and contextual theology. Students develop expertise in mission strategy, church growth, and engagement with diverse cultural and religious contexts.

Core areas of study include biblical theology of mission, cross-cultural mission, mission history, African religions, contextualisation, church planting, mission organisation leadership, and research methods. The programme emphasises both theological reflection and practical mission engagement.

Africa International University, formerly Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology, is a pan-African Christian university serving the African church. The MA in Mission Studies programme draws students from across Africa, providing a rich cross-cultural learning environment. The programme is available in multiple study modes including full-time, part-time, modular, and remote teaching.

The programme is designed for church leaders, mission practitioners, and development workers seeking advanced training in mission studies. Students complete 72 credit hours of coursework and research over two years full-time or three years part-time, with intakes in January, May, and September.

Graduates are prepared for careers as mission directors, cross-cultural missionaries, theological educators, church planters, mission organisation leaders, and development workers in mission agencies, churches, NGOs, and academic institutions across Africa and globally.

Skills Required

Cross-Cultural Mission
Biblical Theology of Mission
Mission History
Contextualisation
African Religions
Church Planting
Mission Strategy
Cross-Cultural Communication
Mission Organisation Leadership
Research Methods in Mission Studies

Key Subjects

Biblical Theology of Mission
Foundations of Cross-Cultural Mission
Mission History
African Traditional Religions
Contextualisation
Church Planting and Growth
Mission Strategy
Cross-Cultural Communication
Mission Organisation Leadership
Research Methods in Mission Studies

Certifications

IAMS Mission Studies Certification
CMS Africa Mission Training Certification

Specializations

Cross-Cultural Mission

Focuses on cross-cultural mission theory and practice including cultural adaptation, contextualisation, and ministry in diverse cultural settings.

Mission History

Examines the history of Christian missions including mission movements, historical strategies, and lessons from mission history in Africa and globally.

African Religions and Mission

Covers African traditional religions and their interaction with Christianity, addressing contextualisation and engagement with African religious traditions.

Church Planting and Growth

Focuses on church planting strategies, church growth principles, and mission-driven church development in various cultural contexts.

Mission Organisation Leadership

Examines leadership of mission organisations including strategic planning, personnel management, and programme development for mission agencies.

Contextual Theology

Covers contextualisation of Christian theology in African and global contexts, addressing the relationship between gospel and culture.

Urban Mission

Focuses on mission in urban contexts including urbanisation, urban poverty, and ministry strategies for rapidly growing African cities.

Development and Mission

Examines the integration of development and mission including holistic mission, community development, and social transformation.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 242,775
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Biblical Theology of Mission
Foundations of Cross-Cultural Mission
Mission History
African Traditional Religions
Contextualisation
Church Planting and Growth
Mission Strategy
Cross-Cultural Communication
Mission Organisation Leadership
Research Methods in Mission Studies

Modules

10 in the programme

Biblical Theology of Mission
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biblical foundations of mission including Old and New Testament perspectives on mission, the mission of God, and contemporary expressions of mission theology.
Foundations of Cross-Cultural Mission
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers foundational concepts in cross-cultural mission including cultural anthropology for mission, cultural adaptation, and ministry in diverse cultural settings.
Mission History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the history of Christian missions including mission movements, historical strategies, colonial legacies, and lessons from mission history in Africa and globally.
African Traditional Religions
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers African traditional religions including belief systems, practices, and the relationship between Christianity and African religious traditions.
Contextualisation and Culture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines contextualisation of Christian theology and practice in African and global contexts, addressing the relationship between gospel and culture.
Church Planting and Growth
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers church planting strategies, church growth principles, and mission-driven church development in various cultural contexts.
Mission Strategy and Organisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines mission strategy development and mission organisation leadership including strategic planning, personnel management, and programme development.
Cross-Cultural Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers cross-cultural communication theory and practice for mission, including communication barriers, cultural communication patterns, and intercultural competence.
Research Methods in Mission Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methodologies for conducting original research in mission studies, including qualitative and quantitative methods and field research techniques.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research project on a mission studies topic, demonstrating mastery of missiological analysis and research, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Cross-Cultural Mission
Focuses on cross-cultural mission theory and practice including cultural adaptation, contextualisation, and ministry in diverse cultural settings.
Mission History
Examines the history of Christian missions including mission movements, historical strategies, and lessons from mission history in Africa and globally.
African Religions and Mission
Covers African traditional religions and their interaction with Christianity, addressing contextualisation and engagement with African religious traditions.
Church Planting and Growth
Focuses on church planting strategies, church growth principles, and mission-driven church development in various cultural contexts.
Mission Organisation Leadership
Examines leadership of mission organisations including strategic planning, personnel management, and programme development for mission agencies.
Contextual Theology
Covers contextualisation of Christian theology in African and global contexts, addressing the relationship between gospel and culture.
Urban Mission
Focuses on mission in urban contexts including urbanisation, urban poverty, and ministry strategies for rapidly growing African cities.
Development and Mission
Examines the integration of development and mission including holistic mission, community development, and social transformation.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on biblical theology of mission, cross-cultural communication, or mission history at Africa International University's School of Theology in Karen, Nairobi. Students engage in seminar discussions on mission strategies, analysing case studies of church planting and cross-cultural ministry in African and global contexts. The programme includes practical mission exposure where students visit mission fields and engage with local communities. Students participate in research methodology workshops and present their research findings in seminars. Guest lectures from experienced missionaries, mission organisation leaders, and theologians provide practical insights. Those in the research phase conduct independent research on mission studies topics, working on their research project under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme integrates professional ministerial skills with academic studies, providing both practical competence and scholarly depth.
AIU is a pan-African Christian university drawing students from across Africa, providing a rich cross-cultural learning environment.
Available in multiple study modes including full-time, part-time, modular, and remote teaching, accommodating working professionals.
Programme offers unique engagement with African religions and contextualisation, addressing the specific missiological challenges of the African context.

Against it

Private university fees are higher than public university alternatives for theology and religious studies.
The programme is niche and may be perceived as too specialised for broader career markets outside religious institutions.
Career opportunities are primarily within religious institutions and mission organisations, which may have limited funding for salaries.
The programme requires background in theology or related fields, limiting eligibility for graduates from unrelated disciplines.

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

Private190k to 243k

190k at Tangaza University243k at Africa International 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

Tangaza 95K/sem=190K/yr. AIU unverified. UoN 220.5K/yr. Maseno unverified

AIU offers limited scholarships for active students demonstrating need. Mission agencies may provide sponsorship for students preparing for cross-cultural mission. HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students.

Funding options

AIU Financial Aid
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Mission Agency Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

AIU Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 80,000
Active AIU students demonstrating academic merit and financial need, applied for through the financial aid office.
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Mission Agency Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
Students preparing for cross-cultural mission, sponsored by mission agencies. Availability varies by agency.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: In exceptional cases, AIU Senate may admit applicants without a first degree who demonstrate through research and academic work that they are qualified for postgraduate study, subject to regulatory body requirements. The programme is available in full-time, part-time, modular, and remote teaching modes with intakes in January, May, and September. 72 credit hours over 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, missiological analysis essays, case study reports, seminar presentations, and research assignments conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering mission studies theory, mission history, and cross-cultural studies, including essay questions and case analysis.
Mission Exposure Practicum
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving field visits to mission contexts, demonstrating ability to analyse cross-cultural ministry situations and propose mission strategies.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research project on a mission studies topic, demonstrating mastery of missiological analysis and research, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by Africa International University through its School of Theology, a pan-African Christian university with a strong tradition of theological education.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes. AIU is a chartered private Christian university.
International Association for Mission Studies
Professional membership
International association for mission studies. IAMS membership provides access to global mission studies research and networking.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Mission Director
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Leads mission organisations or church mission departments, overseeing mission strategy, cross-cultural programmes, and mission personnel deployment.
Cross-Cultural Missionary
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Serves as a cross-cultural missionary in diverse cultural contexts, engaging in church planting, community development, and cross-cultural ministry.
Theological Educator
Moderate demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches mission studies or theology at theological colleges, seminaries, or universities, training the next generation of church and mission leaders.
Church Planter
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Plants and develops new churches in unreached or under-reached areas, applying missiological principles and cross-cultural strategies.
Mission Organisation Leader
Low demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 320,000
Leads mission organisations or faith-based NGOs, managing programmes, staff, and partnerships for cross-cultural mission and development.
Development Worker
Moderate demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 280,000
Works in faith-based development organisations, integrating mission and development for holistic community transformation in African contexts.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as mission directors, cross-cultural missionaries, theological educators, and church planters in mission agencies, churches, and academic institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Logos Bible Software
SoftwarePrimary
Digital library and Bible study platform providing access to theological resources, commentaries, and mission studies literature.
BibleWorks
SoftwarePrimary
Bible study software for biblical text analysis, supporting research in biblical theology of mission and scriptural foundations.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, field research notes, and cultural studies in mission research.
Zotero
Software
Reference management software for organising research sources, citations, and bibliographies in mission studies research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mission studies is only about converting people to Christianity.
The programme covers cross-cultural understanding, social transformation, development, contextual theology, and holistic mission addressing physical, social, and spiritual needs.
This programme is only for pastors and missionaries.
Graduates work in mission organisations, NGOs, academic institutions, development agencies, and church leadership, applying mission expertise across diverse sectors.
Mission studies is irrelevant in modern secular Africa.
Religion remains central to African society, and mission studies provides tools for understanding religious dynamics, social engagement, and community transformation.
Mission is a colonial concept with no place in post-colonial Africa.
The programme critically examines mission history including colonial legacies, and focuses on post-colonial, contextually appropriate mission approaches led by African Christians.
This degree has no practical career applications.
Graduates lead mission organisations, plant churches, teach in theological institutions, manage faith-based NGOs, and work in cross-cultural development roles across Africa and globally.
Mission studies and missiology are different programmes.
Mission studies and missiology are closely related disciplines; both examine Christian mission theory and practice, with mission studies being the broader term used at AIU.