Master of Arts in Public Administration & Policy
The Master of Arts in Public Administration & Policy is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in business & economics.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 187,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 187,200 to Ksh 374,400 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 249,800 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Upper Second Class Honours or equivalent in Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, Law, Economics, or a related field or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1-2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Applied Ethicist, at 20 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
What you study
10 subjects- Management Theory and Practice
- Managerial Economics
- Financial Management
- Strategic Management
- Business Research Methods
- Marketing Management
- Human Resource Management
- Management Information Systems
- Corporate Governance
- Project Management
Modules
12 in the programmePublic Administration Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of public administration from classical to contemporary approaches and their application in Kenya's governance system
Public Policy Analysis and Formulation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Policy-making processes, policy analysis tools, and policy formulation for effective government decision-making
Public Financial Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Public budgeting, public expenditure management, and financial accountability under Kenya's Public Finance Management Act
Organizational Behaviour in the Public Sector
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Understanding behaviour in public organisations including motivation, leadership, and organisational culture
Human Resource Management in Public Service
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Managing people in the public service including recruitment, performance management, and public service values
Administrative Law
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Legal framework for public administration including constitutional provisions, administrative justice, and judicial review
Local Government and Devolution
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure and functions of devolved government in Kenya, intergovernmental relations, and county public administration
Public Sector Reform
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Public sector reform processes in Kenya including performance contracting, service delivery improvement, and institutional restructuring
Ethics and Accountability in Public Service
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Ethical standards, anti-corruption mechanisms, and accountability systems in Kenya's public service
Public Service Delivery and Citizen Engagement
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Improving public services, citizen-centred approaches, and public participation in governance
Research Methods in Public Administration
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and methods for public administration and policy research
Thesis
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Original research on a public administration or policy topic addressing a governance challenge in Kenya
Specialisations
Public Sector Reform and Governance
Specialisation in public sector improvement and governance
Public Financial Management
Specialisation in public budgeting, finance, and accountability
Public Policy Analysis
Focus on policy formulation, analysis, and evaluation
Devolution and Local Governance
Focus on county government administration and intergovernmental relations
Human Resource Management in Public Service
Focus on managing human resources in the public sector
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending case study discussions, working on group projects, analysing financial data, participating in business simulations, networking at industry events, and meeting with supervisors for research project guidance.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Devolved governance has created administrative positions in all 47 counties, expanding public administration career opportunities | Public service recruitment processes can be lengthy and subject to political and budgetary influences |
| Public service offers career stability, pension benefits, and defined career progression pathways | Public service salaries, while stable, may be lower than comparable positions in the private sector or international organisations |
| Part-time study options allow in-service public servants to upgrade qualifications while continuing employment | Implementing public policies and reforms in Kenya's complex governance environment can be challenging and slow |
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 coursesAnnual 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
Moi 187.2K, Chuka 120K/yr verified. Daystar 249.8K. KAG East unverified.
HELB offers postgraduate loans. Many employers sponsor MBA studies for high-performing employees. DAAD and other international scholarships are available for economics and business research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
Employer Sponsorship
Sponsorship
Employees with employer study support policies
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
Postgraduate researchers in partnership with German universities
Scholarships
4 recordedDAAD In-Country Scholarship
FellowshipKsh 500,000
Strong academic record in public administration, political science, or governance
University of Nairobi Scholarship
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Outstanding academic achievement in public administration or related field
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen enrolled in accredited Masters programme
Government Training Support
SponsorshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
Public servants sponsored by their ministries or departments
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Candidates with Lower Second Class Honours may be admitted with at least two years of professional experience in public service, governance, or a related field
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding KCA University, Egerton University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including KCA University, Egerton University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including KCA University, Egerton University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
How you are assessed
5 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Tests on public administration theory, policy analysis, and governance
Policy Briefs and Case Studies
Project25% of the mark
Written policy analyses and case study reports on public administration issues
End of Semester Examinations
Exam20% of the mark
Formal written examinations at the end of each taught semester
Thesis
Research25% of the mark
Original research on a public administration or policy topic examined by oral defence
Public Sector Attachment
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised practical experience in a government ministry, county government, or state corporation
Accreditation
Kenya Institute of Management
Professional
Professional body for managers in Kenya relevant for public administration professionals
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All university degree programmes in Kenya must be accredited by CUE
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Business programmes may also be accredited by the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) or international bodies like AMBA.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesGovernance Specialist
Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Advises on governance and public administration for international organisations, development partners, or consulting firms
Policy Analyst
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Analyses policies and provides policy advice for government ministries, KIPPRA, parliamentary committees, or development organisations
Public Administrator
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages public programmes and services in national government ministries, county governments, or state corporations
Programme Officer - Governance
Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages governance and public sector programmes for UNDP, development partners, or governance-focused NGOs
County Administrator
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Serves in administrative positions in county governments supporting service delivery and governance
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as business analysts, financial managers, management consultants, project managers, and corporate executives in Kenya's business sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Applied EthicistArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- ChoreographerArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- Interfaith Dialogue FacilitatorArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- EpigrapherArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Indigenous Knowledge SpecialistArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Manuscript ConservatorArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Museum EducatorArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Theological ResearcherArts & Humanities22Low exposure
Common misconceptions
An MBA guarantees a senior management position.
An MBA enhances qualifications but career advancement depends on experience, performance, and networking.
All Masters in Business programmes are the same.
Programmes vary significantly in specialisation, teaching approach (case study vs research), and industry focus.
A Masters in Economics is only for banking careers.
Economics graduates work in government, research institutions, NGOs, international organisations, and consulting firms.
Part-time Masters programmes are less rigorous.
Part-time programmes cover the same curriculum as full-time. The difference is scheduling, not academic standards.