Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Peace, Security and Conflict Management

The Master of Arts in Peace, Security and Conflict Management is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced study of peace, security, conflict management, diplomacy, and governance. The programme prepares graduates for leadership roles in peacebuilding, security management, conflict resolution, and governance in Kenya and the region.

Core areas include peace and conflict theory, security studies, conflict management, diplomacy, governance, international relations, terrorism, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical conflict management skills.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University and Kisii University. KU offers MA in Peace and Conflict Management through its Department of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies. Kisii offers MA in Peace and Conflict Management through its School of Arts and Social Sciences.

Students develop competencies in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, security management, diplomacy, governance, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, research project or thesis, and oral defence.

KU charges KES 216,000/year for the programme. Kisii fees are estimated at KES 140,000-160,000/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours in Peace and Conflict Management or related discipline.

Graduates pursue careers as peace and conflict managers, security analysts, diplomatic officers, governance advisors, and programme managers in government, NGOs, international organisations, and security institutions.

Skills Required

Conflict Analysis and Management
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
Security Studies and Management
Diplomacy and Negotiation
Governance and Public Policy
International Relations
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Research Methods in Peace and Conflict
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Post-Conflict Reconstruction

Key Subjects

Peace and Conflict Theory
Security Studies
Conflict Management and Resolution
Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Governance and Public Policy
International Relations
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Research Methods
Mediation and Negotiation
Post-Conflict Reconstruction

Certifications

NCIC Peace Building Certification
AU Peace and Security Certification

Specializations

Conflict Management

Focuses on conflict management, conflict analysis, resolution, mediation, negotiation, and managing and resolving conflicts in communities and organisations.

Security Studies

Examines security studies, national security, human security, terrorism, counter-terrorism, intelligence, and understanding and managing security challenges.

Peacebuilding

Covers peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, transitional justice, and building peace in conflict-affected societies.

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Focuses on diplomacy, foreign policy, international negotiation, mediation, and managing international relations and diplomacy.

Governance and Democracy

Examines governance, democracy, public policy, institutions, corruption, and understanding and promoting good governance and democracy.

Human Rights and Justice

Covers human rights, justice, transitional justice, international humanitarian law, and promoting human rights and justice in conflict contexts.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 216,000
Private, up to: Ksh 249,800
Job market: Moderate

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

Peace and Conflict Theory
Security Studies
Conflict Management and Resolution
Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Governance and Public Policy
International Relations
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Research Methods
Mediation and Negotiation
Post-Conflict Reconstruction

Modules

12 in the programme

Theories of Peace and Conflict
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines peace and conflict theory, conflict causes, dynamics, escalation, de-escalation, peace theory, and understanding peace and conflict through theory.
Security Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers security studies, national security, human security, security sector, intelligence, and understanding and managing security challenges.
Conflict Analysis and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conflict analysis, conflict assessment, conflict management, resolution, de-escalation, and analysing and managing conflicts.
Research Methods in Peace and Conflict
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in peace and conflict, preparing students for their thesis.
Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines diplomacy, foreign policy, international negotiation, mediation, diplomatic practice, and managing international relations and diplomacy.
Governance and Public Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers governance, democracy, public policy, institutions, corruption, accountability, and understanding and promoting good governance.
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines terrorism, radicalisation, violent extremism, counter-terrorism, CVE, and understanding and countering terrorism and extremism.
Mediation and Negotiation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers mediation, negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, facilitation, dialogue, and mediating and negotiating in conflict situations.
Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Peacebuilding
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines post-conflict reconstruction, peacebuilding, reconciliation, transitional justice, DDR, and building peace in conflict-affected societies.
International Relations and Regional Security
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers international relations theory, international system, regional security, IGAD, EAC, AU, and understanding regional and international security.
Human Rights and Transitional Justice
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines human rights, transitional justice, international humanitarian law, accountability, and promoting human rights and justice in conflict contexts.
Research Project or Thesis
Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore
Original research project or thesis on a peace, security and conflict management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Conflict Management
Focuses on conflict management, conflict analysis, resolution, mediation, negotiation, and managing and resolving conflicts in communities and organisations.
Security Studies
Examines security studies, national security, human security, terrorism, counter-terrorism, intelligence, and understanding and managing security challenges.
Peacebuilding
Covers peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, transitional justice, and building peace in conflict-affected societies.
Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Focuses on diplomacy, foreign policy, international negotiation, mediation, and managing international relations and diplomacy.
Governance and Democracy
Examines governance, democracy, public policy, institutions, corruption, and understanding and promoting good governance and democracy.
Human Rights and Justice
Covers human rights, justice, transitional justice, international humanitarian law, and promoting human rights and justice in conflict contexts.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Peace, Security and Conflict Management programme begins with morning lectures on peace and conflict theory, security studies, or diplomacy. Students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical conflict management skills. Peace and conflict theory sessions cover conflict theory, causes, dynamics, escalation, de-escalation, and understanding conflict through theory. Security studies sessions examine national security, human security, terrorism, counter-terrorism, intelligence, and understanding and managing security challenges. Conflict management sessions cover conflict management, resolution, mediation, negotiation, ADR, and managing and resolving conflicts. Diplomacy sessions examine diplomacy, foreign policy, international negotiation, mediation, and managing international relations. Governance sessions cover governance, democracy, public policy, institutions, corruption, and understanding and promoting good governance. International relations sessions examine IR theory, international system, regional organisations, and understanding international relations. Terrorism sessions cover terrorism, radicalisation, counter-terrorism, CVE, and understanding and countering terrorism. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering peace and conflict research methods, design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from security experts, diplomats, NCIC officials, AU representatives, and international peace scholars provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a research project or thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's security challenges, regional conflicts, electoral violence, and governance needs create demand for qualified peace, security and conflict professionals.
Career opportunities across government, security agencies, NGOs, international organisations, diplomacy, and academia.
Programme provides versatile skills in conflict analysis, security, diplomacy, and governance applicable across multiple sectors.
KU offers the programme through its dedicated Department of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies with experienced faculty.

Against it

Kisii fee structure for this exact programme not independently verified.
Peace and conflict is a niche field with limited direct career positions compared to mainstream professional degrees.
Some positions may require additional security clearance or professional certifications.
Academic and research positions are competitive and may require doctoral qualifications.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public100k to 216k

100k at Kisii University216k at Kenyatta University

Private130k to 250k

130k at Mount Kenya University250k at Daystar 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

KU 216K/yr, Kisii 100K/yr verified. MKU 130K, Daystar 249.8K verified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. NCIC supports peace building in Kenya. AU supports peace and security in Africa. The programme's peace, security and conflict focus attracts NCIC, AU, and peace building funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
NCIC Peace Building Funding
AU Peace and Security Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate peace, security and conflict studies at recognised universities.
NCIC Peace Building Funding
GrantKsh 250,000Kenyan
NCIC supports peace building in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate study in peace and conflict management.
AU Peace and Security Funding
FellowshipKsh 350,000
AU supports peace and security in Africa, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in peace, security and conflict management.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from peace studies, international relations, political science, security studies, sociology, and related fields. KU offers full-time mode across multiple campuses. Kisii offers full-time and part-time modes. Two-year programme with research project or thesis.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework essays, conflict analysis papers, seminar presentations, case studies, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering peace and conflict theory, security studies, diplomacy, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.
Practical Conflict Analysis Project
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of practical conflict analysis project, including conflict mapping, analysis, resolution strategy, and peacebuilding plan.
Research Project or Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research project or thesis on a peace, security and conflict topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University offers MA in Peace and Conflict Management through its Department of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies. Kisii University offers MA in Peace and Conflict Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate peace, security and conflict management training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. KU offers MA in Peace and Conflict Management through its Department of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies. Kisii offers MA in Peace and Conflict Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate peace, security and conflict management training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Peace and Conflict Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages peace and conflict programmes, overseeing conflict resolution, peacebuilding, dialogue, and supporting peace and conflict transformation.
Security Analyst
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses security threats, overseeing intelligence analysis, risk assessment, security policy, and supporting security management and decision-making.
Diplomatic Officer
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Serves in diplomatic missions, overseeing foreign policy, bilateral relations, negotiation, and supporting Kenya's international relations.
Governance Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Advises on governance, overseeing governance reform, policy, institutions, and supporting good governance and democracy.
NGO Programme Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages peace and governance programmes in NGOs, overseeing programme design, implementation, M&E, and supporting peace and governance outcomes.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches peace, security and conflict studies in universities, conducting research and training future peace and conflict professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as peace and conflict managers, security analysts, diplomatic officers, and governance advisors in government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ACLED Conflict Data
PlatformPrimary
Conflict data platform for conflict analysis, conflict mapping, event data, and accessing conflict event data for research and analysis.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for peace and conflict research, survey analysis, and quantitative data analysis.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for peace research, interviews, conflict analysis, and qualitative data analysis.
KoboToolbox
Software
Data collection platform for field research, conflict surveys, needs assessment, and collecting peace and conflict research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Peace and conflict management is just about stopping fights.
Peace and conflict management involves rigorous theory, conflict analysis, security studies, diplomacy, governance, and research, far beyond stopping fights.
Peace studies only leads to NGO work.
The programme opens careers in government, security, diplomacy, international organisations, academia, and private sector.
There is no demand for peace and conflict professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's security challenges, regional conflicts, electoral violence, and governance needs create demand for qualified peace and conflict professionals.
Peace studies is not a rigorous discipline.
Peace and conflict studies involves rigorous research methods, theory, data analysis, and scholarly writing comparable to other social sciences.
A master's in peace studies is redundant after a BA.
The master's provides advanced theory, research capability, specialisation, and career progression to senior peace, security, and governance positions.
Peace and conflict management is the same as international relations.
While related, peace and conflict management focuses specifically on conflict causes, management, resolution, and peacebuilding, while IR covers broader international relations.