Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management

The Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management is a postgraduate programme that trains professionals in public administration, public policy, governance, and public sector management. The programme prepares graduates for leadership roles in government, county administrations, NGOs, and international organisations.

Core areas include administrative theory, human resource management, public budgeting, public policy analysis, governance, public finance, strategic management, research methods, and project management. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical public administration applications.

The programme is offered by Mount Kenya University, Kenyatta University, and the University of Nairobi. KU offers MA in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) with 20 units over two years at KES 216,000/year. MKU offers MA in Public Administration and Management at KES 65,000/semester full-time.

Students develop competencies in policy analysis, public finance management, strategic planning, governance, research, and public sector leadership. The programme includes coursework, examinations, research project or thesis, and oral defence.

MKU charges KES 65,000 per semester for full-time (~KES 130,000/year) and KES 50,000 per semester for virtual learning. KU charges KES 216,000/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division, or Lower Division with relevant work experience.

Graduates pursue careers as public administrators, policy analysts, county government officers, programme managers, and governance consultants in government, counties, NGOs, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Public Administration and Management
Public Policy Analysis and Development
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Human Resource Management in Public Sector
Strategic Management and Planning
Governance and Accountability
Research Methods in Public Administration
Project Management and Evaluation
Devolved Government and Decentralisation
Public Sector Reform and Innovation

Key Subjects

Administrative Theory and Behaviour
Human Resource Management and Development
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Public Policy Analysis
Research Methods
Constitutionalism and Governance
Public Finance and Accounting
Strategic Management in Public Sector
Project Management
Devolved Governments

Certifications

AAPAM Public Administration Certification
KSG Public Management Certification

Specializations

Public Policy

Focuses on public policy, policy analysis, policy development, policy evaluation, and analysing and developing public policy.

Local Government Administration

Examines local government, county government, devolution, decentralisation, service delivery, and administering local and county government.

Financial Management

Covers public finance, budgeting, financial administration, fiscal management, and managing public finances.

Human Resource Management

Focuses on HR management in public sector, recruitment, performance, development, and managing people in government.

NGO Management

Examines NGO management, civil society, development management, programme management, and managing NGOs and civil society organisations.

Strategic Management

Covers strategic management in public sector, strategy, planning, performance, and leading and managing public sector organisations strategically.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 216,000
Private, up to: Ksh 165,200
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Administrative Theory and Behaviour
Human Resource Management and Development
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Public Policy Analysis
Research Methods
Constitutionalism and Governance
Public Finance and Accounting
Strategic Management in Public Sector
Project Management
Devolved Governments

Modules

12 in the programme

Administrative Theory and Behaviour
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines administrative theory, organisational behaviour, bureaucracy, public administration theory, and understanding public administration.
Human Resource Management and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers HR management in public sector, recruitment, performance, development, training, and managing people in government.
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines public budgeting, financial administration, fiscal management, budget process, and managing public finances.
Research Methods in Social Sciences
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in public administration, preparing students for their project.
Advanced Public Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines public policy analysis, policy development, policy evaluation, policy instruments, and analysing and developing public policy.
Constitutionalism, Governance and Politics in Kenya
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers constitutionalism, governance, politics, devolution, accountability, and understanding governance and politics in Kenya.
Fundamentals of Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines microeconomics, macroeconomics, public finance, economic policy, and understanding economics for public administration.
Public Finance and Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers public finance, accounting, financial reporting, auditing, IFMIS, and managing public finances and accounting.
Strategic Management in the Public Sector
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines strategic management in public sector, strategy, planning, performance management, and leading public sector organisations strategically.
Project Management in the Public Sector
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers project management, project cycle, M&E, log frame, and managing and evaluating projects in public sector contexts.
Devolved Governments
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines devolved governments, county government, decentralisation, service delivery, intergovernmental relations, and understanding devolution in Kenya.
Research Project or Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research project or thesis on a public administration topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Public Policy
Focuses on public policy, policy analysis, policy development, policy evaluation, and analysing and developing public policy.
Local Government Administration
Examines local government, county government, devolution, decentralisation, service delivery, and administering local and county government.
Financial Management
Covers public finance, budgeting, financial administration, fiscal management, and managing public finances.
Human Resource Management
Focuses on HR management in public sector, recruitment, performance, development, and managing people in government.
NGO Management
Examines NGO management, civil society, development management, programme management, and managing NGOs and civil society organisations.
Strategic Management
Covers strategic management in public sector, strategy, planning, performance, and leading and managing public sector organisations strategically.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA in Public Administration and Management programme begins with morning lectures on administrative theory, public policy, or public finance. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical public administration applications. Administrative theory sessions cover administrative theory, organisational behaviour, bureaucracy, and understanding public administration. Public policy sessions examine policy analysis, policy development, policy evaluation, and analysing and developing public policy. Public budgeting sessions cover public budgeting, financial administration, fiscal management, and managing public finances. Human resource management sessions examine HR management in public sector, recruitment, performance, development, and managing people. Governance sessions cover governance, accountability, transparency, constitutionalism, and understanding governance. Research methods sessions prepare students for their project or thesis, covering research design, methods, and data analysis. Strategic management sessions examine strategy, planning, performance, and leading public sector organisations. Devolved government sessions cover devolution, county government, decentralisation, service delivery, and understanding devolved government in Kenya. Guest lectures from government officials, county executives, KSG experts, and international public administration scholars provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research project or thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's devolution, governance reforms, public sector modernisation, and county government development create high demand for qualified public administration professionals.
MKU offers affordable tuition at KES 65,000/semester with full-time, part-time, and virtual learning modes.
Career opportunities across government, counties, NGOs, international organisations, and private sector.
Programme provides versatile public administration and governance skills applicable across multiple sectors.

Against it

KU tuition of KES 216,000/year is significantly higher than MKU for a similar programme.
Public sector positions may be subject to political appointments, civil service procedures, and government funding.
Programme is broad, covering many areas, which may limit depth in any single specialisation.
Rapid policy and governance changes in Kenya require continuous learning beyond the programme.

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

Public187k to 216k

187k at Moi University216k at Kenyatta University

Private130k to 165k

130k at Mount Kenya University165k 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

KU 216K, Moi 187.2K verified. Kabarak 165.2K, MKU 130K verified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UNDP supports governance capacity building. KSG supports public service training. The programme's public administration focus attracts UNDP, governance, and public service funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UNDP Governance Funding
KSG Public Service Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate public administration studies at recognised universities.
UNDP Governance Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
UNDP supports governance capacity building in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate study in public administration.
KSG Public Service Funding
FellowshipKsh 250,000Kenyan
KSG supports public service training, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in public administration.

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. KU requires 20 units over two years with research project. MKU offers full-time, part-time, and virtual modes. UoN offers thesis or project option with 8-12 taught units.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, policy briefs, case studies, analysis papers, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Written examinations covering administrative theory, public policy, finance, governance, and strategic management, conducted at end of each semester.
Research Project or Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research project or thesis on a public administration 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). Mount Kenya University offers MA in Public Administration and Management. Kenyatta University offers MA in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA). University of Nairobi offers Master of Public Administration (MPA). The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate public administration training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Mount Kenya University offers MA in Public Administration and Management. Kenyatta University offers MA in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA). University of Nairobi offers Master of Public Administration (MPA). The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate public administration training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Public Administrator
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages public sector organisations, overseeing service delivery, administration, governance, and supporting public sector effectiveness.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses public policy, overseeing policy research, analysis, development, and supporting evidence-based policy and governance.
County Government Officer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages county government functions, overseeing service delivery, administration, finance, and supporting county government effectiveness.
Programme Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages programmes in government and NGOs, overseeing programme design, implementation, M&E, and supporting programme outcomes.
Governance Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides governance consultancy, overseeing governance assessments, policy advice, and supporting organisational governance.
NGO Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages NGOs and civil society organisations, overseeing programmes, governance, funding, and supporting development outcomes.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as public administrators, policy analysts, county government officers, and programme managers in government, counties, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for public administration research, survey analysis, policy analysis, and research data analysis.
Stata
Software
Statistical software for policy research, econometric analysis, and research data analysis.
Microsoft Project
Software
Project management software for planning, tracking, and managing public sector projects and initiatives.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for governance research, interviews, case studies, and qualitative data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Public administration is only about working in government offices.
Public administration skills are applicable across government, counties, NGOs, international organisations, and private sector with public interfaces.
This programme is only for those already in the civil service.
The programme is designed for both current public servants and aspiring professionals seeking careers in public administration and governance.
Public administration is not relevant in the private sector.
Public administration skills including policy analysis, regulation, compliance, and stakeholder management are increasingly valued in private sector organisations.
Devolution has made public administration less important.
Devolution has increased demand for public administration skills at county level, creating new opportunities for qualified professionals.
A public administration degree is less valuable than an MBA.
Public administration and MBA are complementary; public administration is specifically designed for public sector and governance careers.
Public administration is just common sense management.
Effective public administration involves complex theory, policy analysis, fiscal management, governance, and research skills beyond common sense.