Business

Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management

The Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management is designed to provide skills, techniques and knowledge required for careers in the management of all types of projects in the public and private sectors. The programme helps present and future managers of development projects to be more efficient and effective, contributing to economic growth and development in line with Vision 2030.

Core areas include project management cycle, project planning, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, project finance, quantitative techniques, research methodology, and strategic management. The programme blends theoretical concepts with practical knowledge based on case studies and shared experiences.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through its School of Continuing and Distance Education, and by Maseno University through its School of Planning and Architecture. UoN offers evening and ODeL modes, while Maseno offers full-time and part-time modes.

Students develop competencies in project planning, project management, M&E, project finance, research, and strategic management. The programme includes 15 taught course units and a research project constituting 4 units, totalling 19 units.

UoN tuition is KES 279,000 total programme (~KES 139,500/year). Maseno fees not independently verified for this exact programme. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division in a related field.

Graduates pursue careers as project managers, M&E officers, development planners, project consultants, and programme coordinators in government, NGOs, donor agencies, and private sector.

Skills Required

Project Planning and Design
Project Management Cycle
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Project Finance and Budgeting
Quantitative Techniques for Projects
Research Methodology
Strategic Management
Project Implementation
Environmental Impact Assessment
Project Risk Management

Key Subjects

Project Management Cycle
Project Planning and Design
Project Implementation
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Project Finance
Quantitative Techniques
Research Methodology
Strategic Management
Environmental Impact Assessment
Planning Theory

Certifications

PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)
IPMA Project Management Certification

Specializations

Development Project Management

Focuses on development project management, donor-funded projects, community projects, and managing development projects in public and NGO sectors.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Examines M&E, M&E frameworks, indicators, logframes, data collection, evaluation, and monitoring and evaluating project performance.

Project Finance

Covers project finance, budgeting, cost analysis, financial management, resource mobilisation, and managing project finances and budgets.

Strategic Project Management

Focuses on strategic management, strategy, project strategy, alignment, portfolio management, and aligning projects with organisational strategy.

Rural Development Projects

Examines rural development, rural projects, community development, agricultural projects, and planning and managing rural development projects.

Urban Development Projects

Covers urban development, urban projects, infrastructure, housing, and planning and managing urban development projects.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 139,500
Private, up to: Ksh 700,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Evening, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Project Management Cycle
Project Planning and Design
Project Implementation
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Project Finance
Quantitative Techniques
Research Methodology
Strategic Management
Environmental Impact Assessment
Planning Theory

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Project Management Cycle
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines project management cycle, project identification, design, appraisal, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and understanding the project management cycle.
Quantitative Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative methods, statistics, probability, cost-benefit analysis, financial mathematics, and quantitative analysis for project planning and management.
Planning Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines planning theory, planning approaches, rational, incremental, advocacy planning, and understanding planning through theory.
Research Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in project planning and management, preparing students for their project.
Project Implementation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines project implementation, execution, procurement, contracting, supervision, and implementing and managing projects.
Rural Development and Project Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers rural development, rural projects, community development, agricultural projects, and planning and managing rural development projects.
Planning Principles and Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines planning principles, planning techniques, logframes, work breakdown structures, scheduling, and principles and techniques for project planning.
Management Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers management techniques, leadership, team management, communication, conflict management, and management techniques for project managers.
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines M&E, M&E frameworks, indicators, logframes, data collection, evaluation, reporting, and monitoring and evaluating project performance.
Project Finance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers project finance, budgeting, cost analysis, financial management, resource mobilisation, and managing project finances and budgets.
Environmental Impact Assessment in Projects
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines EIA, environmental screening, impact assessment, mitigation, environmental management plans, and assessing environmental impacts of projects.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Original research project on a project planning and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Development Project Management
Focuses on development project management, donor-funded projects, community projects, and managing development projects in public and NGO sectors.
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Examines M&E, M&E frameworks, indicators, logframes, data collection, evaluation, and monitoring and evaluating project performance.
Project Finance
Covers project finance, budgeting, cost analysis, financial management, resource mobilisation, and managing project finances and budgets.
Strategic Project Management
Focuses on strategic management, strategy, project strategy, alignment, portfolio management, and aligning projects with organisational strategy.
Rural Development Projects
Examines rural development, rural projects, community development, agricultural projects, and planning and managing rural development projects.
Urban Development Projects
Covers urban development, urban projects, infrastructure, housing, and planning and managing urban development projects.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Project Planning and Management programme begins with morning or evening lectures on project management cycle, project planning, or monitoring and evaluation. Students engage with both theoretical concepts and practical case studies. Project management cycle sessions cover project identification, design, appraisal, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and understanding the project management cycle. Project planning sessions examine project design, logframes, work breakdown structures, scheduling, and planning projects. M&E sessions cover M&E frameworks, indicators, data collection, evaluation, reporting, and monitoring and evaluating project performance. Project finance sessions examine budgeting, cost analysis, financial management, resource mobilisation, and managing project finances. Quantitative techniques sessions cover quantitative methods, statistics, cost-benefit analysis, and quantitative analysis for projects. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their project, covering research methods, design, and data analysis. Strategic management sessions examine strategy, strategic planning, project strategy, and aligning projects with organisational strategy. Environmental impact assessment sessions cover EIA, environmental screening, mitigation, and assessing environmental impacts of projects. Guest lectures from practising project managers, donor agency officials, NGO leaders, and international project management experts provide real-world insights. Group work and discussions allow students to share experiences from diverse professional backgrounds. The programme culminates in a research project.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's Vision 2030, devolution, donor-funded projects, and NGO sector create high demand for qualified project management professionals.
Career opportunities across government, NGOs, donor agencies, private sector, consultancy, and academia.
UoN total programme cost of KES 279,000 is relatively affordable for a postgraduate degree.
Programme blends theoretical concepts with practical case studies and shared experiences from diverse professional backgrounds.

Against it

Maseno fee structure for this exact programme not independently verified.
Programme requires balancing coursework with professional responsibilities, especially for evening and ODeL modes.
Project management positions in competitive donor-funded projects may require additional professional certifications like PMP.
The field is becoming crowded with many graduates and professionals competing for project management roles.

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 140k

140k at University of Nairobi140k at University of Nairobi

Private119k to 700k

119k at Mount Kenya University700k at Strathmore 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 EMS 279,000/2=139,500/yr verified. MKU 119,100. Strathmore 350,000x2=700,000/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. PMI Kenya supports professional development for project managers. AfDB and World Bank support development projects in Kenya. The programme's project management and development focus attracts PMI, AfDB, World Bank, and donor funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
PMI Kenya Professional Development
AfDB Project Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate project management studies at recognised universities.
PMI Kenya Professional Development
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
PMI Kenya supports professional development for project managers, providing funding for postgraduate study in project management.
AfDB Project Management Funding
FellowshipKsh 350,000
AfDB supports development projects in Kenya, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in project planning and 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 diverse fields including engineering, health, education, agriculture, social sciences, and related disciplines. UoN offers evening and ODeL modes through its School of Continuing and Distance Education. Maseno offers full-time and part-time modes. Programme consists of 15 taught course units and a research project (4 units), totalling 19 units. Minimum 4 semesters, maximum 10 semesters.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, project analysis papers, group work, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering project management, planning, M&E, finance, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.
Practical Project Assignments
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of practical project assignments, including project design, logframes, M&E frameworks, and project planning exercises.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research project on a project planning and management 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). University of Nairobi offers MA in Project Planning and Management through its School of Continuing and Distance Education. Maseno University offers MA in Project Planning and Management through its School of Planning and Architecture. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate project management training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MA in Project Planning and Management through its School of Continuing and Distance Education. Maseno offers MA in Project Planning and Management through its School of Planning and Architecture. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate project management training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Project Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 650,000
Manages projects, overseeing planning, implementation, M&E, budgets, teams, and delivering projects on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
M&E Officer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Monitors and evaluates projects, overseeing M&E systems, indicators, data, reporting, and supporting project performance and accountability.
Development Planner
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Plans development programmes, overseeing project design, needs assessment, resource allocation, and supporting development planning and projects.
Project Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 700,000
Provides project consultancy, overseeing project design, appraisal, evaluation, and supporting project planning and management for clients.
Programme Coordinator
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Coordinates programmes, overseeing programme planning, implementation, M&E, partnerships, and supporting programme delivery and coordination.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches project management in universities, conducting research and training future project managers and development professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as project managers, M&E officers, development planners, and project consultants in government, NGOs, donor agencies, and private sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Project
SoftwarePrimary
Project management software for scheduling, Gantt charts, resource allocation, tracking, and managing project schedules and resources.
Primavera P6
Software
Enterprise project management software for planning, scheduling, resource management, and managing large and complex projects.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for project research, M&E data analysis, survey analysis, and quantitative data analysis.
KoboToolbox
Software
Data collection platform for M&E, project surveys, field data, and collecting project monitoring and evaluation data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Project management is just about managing tasks.
Project management involves rigorous planning, finance, M&E, risk management, strategy, and research, far beyond task management.
Project management is only for construction projects.
The programme covers all types of projects including development, health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and social projects.
Anyone can manage projects without formal training.
While practitioners often find themselves managing projects, formal training provides essential skills, techniques, and knowledge for effective project management.
Project management is not a rigorous discipline.
Project management involves rigorous quantitative methods, research, financial analysis, and strategic management comparable to other professional disciplines.
A master's in project management is redundant after experience.
The master's provides formal knowledge, skills, theoretical foundations, and career progression to senior project management positions.
Project management is the same as operations management.
Project management focuses on temporary, unique endeavours with defined start and end, while operations management focuses on ongoing, repetitive activities.