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Master of Arts in Monitoring and Evaluation

<p>The Master of Arts in Monitoring and Evaluation is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced training in programme monitoring, evaluation, research, and evidence-based decision-making. The programme prepares graduates for M&E leadership roles in development, health, education, and humanitarian programmes.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 269,000
Ksh 538,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 130,000
Ksh 260,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 269,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 538,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 130,000 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, online, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 9 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Core areas include M&E frameworks, indicators, monitoring systems, evaluation design, data collection, data analysis, research methods, and utilisation of M&E findings. Students engage with both M&E theory and practical evaluation applications.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi, Maseno University, and Mount Kenya University. UoN offers MA in M&E through its Institute of Population Studies and Research. Maseno offers the programme through its e-campus with 16 modules. MKU offers the programme at KES 65,000/semester.

Students develop competencies in M&E framework design, indicator development, monitoring systems, evaluation methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making. The programme includes coursework, practical M&E projects, examinations, research project or thesis, and oral defence.

UoN tuition is KES 27,000 per unit with total programme cost of approximately KES 538,000 (~KES 269,000/year). Maseno charges KES 280,000 total for 16 modules (~KES 140,000/year). MKU charges KES 65,000/semester (~KES 130,000/year). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division.

Graduates pursue careers as M&E officers, M&E managers, evaluation consultants, research officers, and programme managers in NGOs, government, UN agencies, and development organisations.

Skills Required

  • M&E Framework Design
  • Indicator Development and Monitoring Systems
  • Evaluation Design and Methods
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Research Methods in M&E
  • Logic Models and Theory of Change
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis
  • Project and Programme Management
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making
  • M&E Reporting and Communication

Key Subjects

  • M&E Frameworks and Logic Models
  • Indicator Development
  • Evaluation Design and Methods
  • Research Methods in M&E
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Monitoring Systems
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Results-Based Management
  • M&E Utilisation and Advocacy

Certifications

  • AfrEA Evaluation Certification
  • IOCE Evaluation Certification

Specializations

Programme Monitoring

Focuses on programme monitoring, monitoring systems, indicators, data collection, routine monitoring, and tracking programme performance and progress.

Evaluation

Examines evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, formative and summative evaluation, and conducting programme evaluations.

Research Methods

Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, surveys, and conducting research for M&E and evidence generation.

Data Analysis

Focuses on data analysis, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, statistics, data visualisation, and analysing M&E data.

Health M&E

Examines health M&E, health indicators, HMIS, disease surveillance, and monitoring and evaluating health programmes.

Development M&E

Covers development M&E, programme evaluation, impact assessment, results-based management, and monitoring and evaluating development programmes.

What you study

10 subjects
  • M&E Frameworks and Logic Models
  • Indicator Development
  • Evaluation Design and Methods
  • Research Methods in M&E
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Monitoring Systems
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Results-Based Management
  • M&E Utilisation and Advocacy

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Foundations of Monitoring and Evaluation

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines M&E foundations, concepts, frameworks, logic models, theory of change, results chains, and understanding M&E principles and frameworks.

  • M&E Frameworks and Indicator Development

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers M&E frameworks, indicator development, SMART indicators, output and outcome indicators, and developing M&E indicators and frameworks.

  • Research Methods in M&E

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines research methods, design, data collection, analysis, surveys, and conducting research for M&E and evidence generation.

  • Monitoring Systems and Data Collection

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers monitoring systems, data collection, HMIS, routine monitoring, surveys, and designing and managing monitoring systems.

  • Evaluation Design and Methods

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, RCTs, quasi-experimental designs, and conducting programme evaluations.

  • Quantitative Data Analysis in M&E

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers quantitative data analysis, statistics, SPSS, data visualisation, and analysing quantitative M&E data.

  • Qualitative Data Analysis in M&E

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines qualitative data analysis, coding, thematic analysis, NVivo, and analysing qualitative M&E data.

  • Results-Based Management

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers results-based management, RBM frameworks, results chains, performance management, and managing for results.

  • Impact Evaluation

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines impact evaluation, causal inference, counterfactual, RCTs, difference-in-differences, and measuring programme impact.

  • M&E of Population and Development Programmes

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers M&E of population and development programmes, health M&E, education M&E, and applying M&E to specific sectors.

  • M&E Utilisation and Advocacy

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines M&E utilisation, evidence-based decision-making, advocacy, communication, and using M&E findings for decision-making and learning.

  • Research Project or Thesis

    Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore

    Original research project or thesis on an M&E topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

  • Programme Monitoring

    Focuses on programme monitoring, monitoring systems, indicators, data collection, routine monitoring, and tracking programme performance and progress.

  • Evaluation

    Examines evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, formative and summative evaluation, and conducting programme evaluations.

  • Research Methods

    Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, surveys, and conducting research for M&E and evidence generation.

  • Data Analysis

    Focuses on data analysis, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, statistics, data visualisation, and analysing M&E data.

  • Health M&E

    Examines health M&E, health indicators, HMIS, disease surveillance, and monitoring and evaluating health programmes.

  • Development M&E

    Covers development M&E, programme evaluation, impact assessment, results-based management, and monitoring and evaluating development programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA M&E programme begins with morning lectures on M&E frameworks, evaluation design, or data analysis. Students engage with both M&E theory and practical evaluation applications. M&E framework sessions cover logic models, theory of change, results chains, and designing M&E frameworks. Indicator sessions examine indicator development, SMART indicators, output and outcome indicators, and developing M&E indicators. Evaluation sessions cover evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, RCTs, quasi-experimental designs, and conducting programme evaluations. Data collection sessions examine surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation, HMIS, and collecting M&E data. Data analysis sessions cover quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, statistics, data visualisation, and analysing M&E data. Research methods sessions prepare students for their project or thesis, covering M&E research methods, design, and data analysis. M&E utilisation sessions cover evidence-based decision-making, advocacy, communication, and using M&E findings for decision-making. Practical M&E projects provide hands-on experience designing M&E frameworks, conducting evaluations, and analysing data. Guest lectures from M&E practitioners, UNDP officials, NGO M&E managers, and international evaluation experts provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a research project or thesis.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's development sector, donor requirements, government accountability, and results-based management create high demand for qualified M&E professionals.UoN total programme cost of KES 538,000 (~KES 269,000/year) is relatively expensive.
MKU offers affordable tuition at KES 65,000/semester with regular and digital modes.M&E positions are often project-funded and may not offer long-term job security.
Career opportunities across NGOs, government, UN agencies, private sector, and development organisations.Some employers may prefer practical M&E experience over academic qualifications.
Programme provides versatile M&E skills applicable across health, education, development, and humanitarian sectors.M&E can be demanding, requiring travel to field sites and tight reporting deadlines.

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
Public140k to 269k
140k at Maseno University269k at University of Nairobi
Private119k to 130k
119k at Mount Kenya University130k at Kabarak 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 538,000/2=269,000/yr verified (psri.uonbi.ac.ke). MKU 119,100 verified. Maseno/Kabarak unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UNDP supports M&E capacity building in Kenya. AfrEA supports evaluation in Africa. The programme's M&E focus attracts UNDP, donor, and evaluation funding.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • UNDP M&E Funding

  • AfrEA Evaluation Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate M&E studies at recognised universities.

  • UNDP M&E Funding

    GrantKsh 300,000

    UNDP supports M&E capacity building in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate study in M&E.

  • AfrEA Evaluation Funding

    FellowshipKsh 300,000

    AfrEA supports evaluation in Africa, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in M&E and evaluation.

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
N/A (Postgraduate)minimum entry
Alternative entry

The programme accepts graduates from social sciences, development, health, education, statistics, and related fields. UoN offers full-time and part-time modes. Maseno offers part-time through eCampus. MKU offers regular and digital modes. Two-year programme with research project or thesis.

When it next starts

Taught at 9 institutions
January 20279 institutions

Including Mount Kenya University, Maseno University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

May 20279 institutions

Including Mount Kenya University, Maseno University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

September 20279 institutions

Including Mount Kenya University, Maseno University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Coursework and Continuous Assessment

    Coursework40% of the mark

    Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, M&E framework design, indicator development, evaluation design, and class participation.

  • Written Examinations

    Examination30% of the mark

    Written examinations covering M&E frameworks, evaluation methods, data analysis, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.

  • Practical M&E Project

    Practical30% of the mark

    Assessment of practical M&E project, including framework design, data collection, analysis, evaluation, and M&E report writing.

  • Research Project or Thesis

    Research100% of the mark

    Original research project or thesis on an M&E topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MA in M&E through its Institute of Population Studies and Research. Maseno offers MA in M&E through its eCampus. MKU offers MA in M&E. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate M&E training.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi offers MA in M&E through its Institute of Population Studies and Research. Maseno University offers MA in M&E through its eCampus. Mount Kenya University offers MA in M&E. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate M&E training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • M&E Officer

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Monitors and evaluates programmes, overseeing M&E systems, data collection, reporting, and supporting programme performance and learning.

  • M&E Manager

    High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Manages M&E functions in organisations, overseeing M&E strategy, systems, teams, and supporting evidence-based programme management.

  • Evaluation Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 650,000

    Provides evaluation consultancy, overseeing evaluations, design, analysis, and supporting evidence-based programme assessment and improvement.

  • Research Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Conducts research for M&E, overseeing study design, data collection, analysis, and supporting evidence generation for programmes.

  • Programme Manager

    High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Manages development programmes, overseeing programme design, implementation, M&E, and supporting programme outcomes and impact.

  • University Lecturer

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaches M&E in universities, conducting research and training future M&E professionals and development practitioners.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as M&E officers, M&E managers, evaluation consultants, and programme managers in NGOs, government, UN agencies, and development organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • SPSS

    SoftwarePrimary

    Statistical software for M&E data analysis, survey analysis, quantitative analysis, and research data analysis.

  • NVivo

    Software

    Qualitative data analysis software for M&E research, interviews, focus groups, and qualitative data analysis.

  • KoboToolbox

    Software

    Data collection platform for M&E field research, surveys, monitoring data, and collecting M&E data.

  • DHIS2

    Software

    Health management information system for health M&E, routine data, indicators, and managing health monitoring data.

Common misconceptions

  • M&E is just about counting activities.

    M&E involves rigorous framework design, indicator development, evaluation methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making, far beyond counting activities.

  • Anyone can do M&E without training.

    Effective M&E requires professional training in frameworks, evaluation design, methods, data analysis, and utilisation.

  • M&E is only for NGOs.

    M&E skills are in demand across NGOs, government, UN agencies, private sector, and any organisation managing programmes and projects.

  • There is no demand for M&E professionals in Kenya.

    Kenya's development sector, donor requirements, government accountability, and results-based management create high demand for qualified M&E professionals.

  • A master's in M&E is redundant after experience.

    The master's provides advanced theoretical foundations, evaluation methods, research capability, and professional recognition that experience alone cannot provide.

  • M&E is just about reporting.

    M&E involves framework design, evaluation, learning, accountability, evidence generation, and decision-making, not just reporting.

Further reading

Read next