Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Public Policy and Management

The Master's in Public Policy and Management (MPPM) is a rigorous two-year postgraduate programme designed to address complex issues facing modern governments and policy-making organisations while developing general management skills of results-oriented professionals.

Core areas include public policy and management, public finance, strategy and entrepreneurship, general management, managing people in the public sector, and international aspects of public policy. The programme features an intensive one-week international module broadening understanding of global issues in public policy discourse.

The programme is offered by Strathmore University Business School. Strathmore offers modular and evening modes tailored for busy executives. Modular mode requires attendance for two weeks every three months, while evening mode requires three evenings per week with occasional Saturdays.

Students develop competencies in policy analysis, public management, strategic management, public finance, and international public policy. The programme includes coursework, examinations, research project, and international module.

Strathmore (private) charges KES 1,708,578 (evening) to KES 1,852,898 (modular) for the entire programme (~KES 854,289 to 926,449/year). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours and at least two years of managerial experience.

Graduates pursue careers as policy analysts, public managers, programme directors, governance advisors, and development consultants in government, international organisations, NGOs, and private sector.

Skills Required

Public Policy Analysis and Development
Public Management and Governance
Strategic Management and Leadership
Public Finance and Budgeting
Managing People in the Public Sector
International Public Policy
Research Methods for Policy
Project Management in Public Sector
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Public Sector
Ethics and Accountability in Governance

Key Subjects

Public Policy and Management
Public Finance
Strategy and Entrepreneurship
General Management
Managing People in the Public Sector
International Aspects of Public Policy
Research Methods for Policy
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Ethics and Accountability in Governance
Project Management in Public Sector

Certifications

KSG Governance Certification
IASIA Public Administration Certification

Specializations

Public Policy Analysis

Focuses on public policy analysis, policy process, policy instruments, policy evaluation, and analysing and developing public policy.

Public Management

Examines public management, governance, organisational management, service delivery, and managing public organisations and services.

Public Finance

Covers public finance, budgeting, fiscal policy, revenue, expenditure, and managing public finances and budgets.

Strategic Management

Focuses on strategic management, strategy, strategic planning, change management, and leading and managing organisations strategically.

International Public Policy

Examines international public policy, global governance, international relations, comparative policy, and understanding global public policy issues.

Entrepreneurship in Public Sector

Covers entrepreneurship, innovation, social entrepreneurship, public sector innovation, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the public sector.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 926,449
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Evening, Modular
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Public Policy and Management
Public Finance
Strategy and Entrepreneurship
General Management
Managing People in the Public Sector
International Aspects of Public Policy
Research Methods for Policy
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Ethics and Accountability in Governance
Project Management in Public Sector

Modules

12 in the programme

Public Policy and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines public policy and management, policy process, management theory, governance, and understanding and managing public policy and organisations.
Public Finance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers public finance, budgeting, fiscal policy, revenue, expenditure, and managing public finances and budgets.
Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines strategy, strategic management, entrepreneurship, innovation, and developing and implementing strategy and entrepreneurship in public sector.
General Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers general management, organisational management, operations, decision-making, and managing organisations effectively.
Managing People in the Public Sector
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines HR management, leadership, organisational behaviour, motivation, and managing people in the public sector.
Research Methods for Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in public policy and management, preparing students for their project.
International Aspects of Public Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines international public policy, global governance, comparative policy, international relations, and understanding global public policy issues.
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers public budgeting, budget process, financial administration, PFM, and managing public budgets and financial administration.
Ethics and Accountability in Governance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ethics, accountability, transparency, anti-corruption, governance ethics, and promoting ethics and accountability in governance.
Project Management in Public Sector
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers project management, project cycle, planning, implementation, M&E, and managing projects in the public sector.
International Module
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Intensive one-week international module broadening understanding of specific and cross-cutting global issues in public policy discourse.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Original research project on a public policy and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Public Policy Analysis
Focuses on public policy analysis, policy process, policy instruments, policy evaluation, and analysing and developing public policy.
Public Management
Examines public management, governance, organisational management, service delivery, and managing public organisations and services.
Public Finance
Covers public finance, budgeting, fiscal policy, revenue, expenditure, and managing public finances and budgets.
Strategic Management
Focuses on strategic management, strategy, strategic planning, change management, and leading and managing organisations strategically.
International Public Policy
Examines international public policy, global governance, international relations, comparative policy, and understanding global public policy issues.
Entrepreneurship in Public Sector
Covers entrepreneurship, innovation, social entrepreneurship, public sector innovation, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the public sector.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MPPM programme at Strathmore Business School varies by mode. In the modular mode, students attend intensive two-week sessions every three months from 7:30am to 4:30pm, immersing themselves fully in coursework. In the evening mode, students attend three evenings per week from 5:30pm to 8:30pm with occasional Saturdays. Sessions cover public policy and management, public finance, strategy, and international public policy. Public policy sessions examine policy process, analysis, evaluation, and developing public policy. Public management sessions cover governance, organisational management, service delivery, and managing public organisations. Public finance sessions examine budgeting, fiscal policy, revenue, expenditure, and managing public finances. Strategy sessions cover strategic management, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leading organisations strategically. Managing people sessions examine HR management, leadership, organisational behaviour, and managing people in the public sector. International public policy sessions cover global governance, comparative policy, international relations, and understanding global public policy issues. The programme includes an intensive one-week international module that broadens understanding of cross-cutting global issues in public policy discourse. Guest lectures from practising executives, government officials, policy experts, and international scholars provide real-world insights. Case studies and group discussions allow students to share experiences from diverse professional backgrounds. The programme culminates in a research project.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme includes an intensive one-week international module providing global exposure and networking.
Flexible modular and evening modes designed for busy executives who cannot take study leave.
Strathmore Business School is a reputable institution with strong industry links and international partnerships.
Fee covers tuition, textbooks, cases, administrative fee, and international module, providing comprehensive value.

Against it

KES 1.7-1.85 million for the programme is very expensive, limiting access to sponsored or affluent students.
Programme is only offered at Strathmore (private), with no public university offering this exact programme.
Requires at least two years of managerial experience, excluding recent graduates.
Application requires GEE aptitude test or GMAT results, adding an additional admission barrier.

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

Public118k to 221k

118k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private854k to 926k

854k at Strathmore University (Evening)926k at Strathmore University (Modular)

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

Strathmore SBS: Mod 1.85M/2yr, Eve 1.71M/2yr. UoN 441K/2yr. Maseno 237K/2yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Strathmore University offers scholarships and financial aid. AAPAM supports professional development for public administrators in Africa. The programme's executive focus attracts employer sponsorship and governance funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Strathmore Scholarships
AAPAM Professional Development

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate public policy studies at recognised universities.
Strathmore University Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 500,000Kenyan
Strathmore University offers scholarships and financial aid for qualifying students based on merit and need.
AAPAM Professional Development
FellowshipKsh 300,000
AAPAM supports professional development for public administrators in Africa, 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 is designed for senior managers and professionals from both public sector and corporate world. Strathmore offers modular mode (two weeks every three months, April intake) and evening mode (three evenings per week with occasional Saturdays, September intake). Application fee is KES 5,000 non-refundable. Two-year programme with coursework, examinations, international module, and research project.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, policy analysis papers, group work, presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering public policy, management, finance, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.
International Module Assessment
Practical10% of the mark
Assessment of the intensive one-week international module, including participation, assignments, and international policy analysis.
Research Project
Research20% of the mark
Original research project on a public policy 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). Strathmore University offers MPPM through Strathmore Business School. The programme includes an intensive one-week international module. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate public policy and management training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Strathmore University offers MPPM through Strathmore Business School. The programme includes an intensive one-week international module. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate public policy and management training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 650,000
Analyses public policy, overseeing policy research, analysis, development, and supporting evidence-based policy and governance.
Public Manager
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Manages public organisations, overseeing operations, strategy, service delivery, and supporting effective public management.
Programme Director
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 800,000
Directs programmes, overseeing programme design, implementation, M&E, partnerships, and supporting programme delivery and impact.
Governance Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Advises on governance, overseeing governance reform, policy, institutions, and supporting good governance and democracy.
Development Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 800,000
Provides development consultancy, overseeing policy, strategy, M&E, and supporting development programmes and organisations.
International Policy Officer
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 800,000
Works on international public policy, overseeing policy research, analysis, diplomacy, and supporting international policy and cooperation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as policy analysts, public managers, programme directors, and governance advisors in government, international organisations, NGOs, and private sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet software for policy analysis, budgeting, data analysis, financial modelling, and managing public policy data and analysis.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for policy research, survey analysis, public opinion, and quantitative data analysis.
Stata
Software
Statistical software for policy research, econometric analysis, impact evaluation, and quantitative data analysis.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for policy research, interviews, content analysis, and qualitative data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Public policy and management is only for government workers.
The programme is designed for senior managers and professionals from both public sector and corporate world, with diverse backgrounds.
The programme is too expensive for most students.
While KES 1.7-1.85 million is significant, the programme targets working executives who often receive employer sponsorship, and financial aid is available.
Public policy and management is the same as public administration.
While related, MPPM emphasises management skills and international policy aspects, while public administration focuses more on administrative theory and governance.
The programme is only offered at Strathmore.
Strathmore is the primary institution offering MPPM in Kenya, but related programmes exist at KU (MPPA) and UoN (MPA) with different emphases.
An executive programme lacks academic rigour.
The MPPM includes coursework, examinations, research project, and an international module, meeting CUE standards for postgraduate training.
The international module is just a vacation.
The one-week international module is an intensive academic experience broadening understanding of global issues in public policy discourse.