Health Sciences

Master of Clinical Medicine in Maternal and Reproductive Health

The Master of Clinical Medicine in Maternal and Reproductive Health at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is a postgraduate programme offered through the School of Medicine in the College of Health Sciences. The programme provides clinical officers with advanced specialisation in maternal healthcare, reproductive health, and obstetric clinical practice, addressing Kenya's maternal mortality challenges.

The programme was introduced as one of three Master of Clinical Medicine programmes at JKUAT, providing career progression for clinical medicine graduates. It equips practitioners with advanced knowledge in antenatal care, obstetric complications, reproductive health services, family planning, and management of pregnancy-related conditions.

Students engage with advanced clinical topics including maternal health complications, obstetric emergencies, reproductive endocrinology, antenatal and postnatal care, safe motherhood practices, and management of sexually transmitted infections. The curriculum combines theoretical study with extensive clinical rotations in maternity and reproductive health settings.

Admission requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in a relevant field from JKUAT or any institution recognised by the University Senate. Applicants with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) may be considered with at least three years of relevant experience, while Pass degree holders need at least five years of relevant postgraduate experience.

The programme is offered on both full-time and part-time bases at JKUAT's main campus in Juja. The College of Health Sciences provides modern clinical training facilities, and the programme includes clinical attachments at partner hospitals for hands-on maternal and reproductive health training.

Graduates are prepared for specialised clinical roles in maternity departments, reproductive health clinics, maternal health programmes, and family planning services. The programme directly contributes to Kenya's efforts to reduce maternal mortality and improve reproductive health outcomes.

Skills Required

Advanced obstetric clinical diagnosis
Maternal health management
Reproductive health services delivery
Obstetric emergency management
Antenatal and postnatal care
Family planning services
Management of pregnancy complications
Reproductive endocrinology knowledge
Maternal health research methods
Safe motherhood practices

Key Subjects

Maternal Clinical Medicine
Reproductive Health
Obstetric Complications and Emergencies
Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Family Planning and Contraception
Reproductive Endocrinology
Safe Motherhood Practices
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Maternal Nutrition
Research Methods in Reproductive Health

Certifications

Clinical Officers Council of Kenya (COCK) Registration
Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society Membership
FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) Certification

Specializations

Obstetric Clinical Medicine

Focuses on advanced diagnosis, treatment, and management of obstetric conditions, including pregnancy complications and obstetric emergencies.

Reproductive Health Services

Covers the full spectrum of reproductive health services, including family planning, STI management, and reproductive health counselling.

Antenatal and Postnatal Care

Develops advanced skills in antenatal assessment, high-risk pregnancy management, and postnatal care for mothers and newborns.

Obstetric Emergencies

Focuses on the management of obstetric emergencies, including haemorrhage, eclampsia, obstructed labour, and sepsis.

Reproductive Endocrinology

Examines hormonal aspects of reproduction, including infertility management, menstrual disorders, and reproductive endocrine conditions.

Safe Motherhood Practices

Covers comprehensive safe motherhood strategies, including maternal nutrition, birth preparedness, and complication readiness.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 248,000
Private, up to: Ksh 221,100
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Maternal Clinical Medicine
Reproductive Health
Obstetric Complications and Emergencies
Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Family Planning and Contraception
Reproductive Endocrinology
Safe Motherhood Practices
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Maternal Nutrition
Research Methods in Reproductive Health

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Maternal Clinical Medicine
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers advanced clinical diagnosis, treatment protocols, and management strategies for maternal health conditions and pregnancy complications.
Reproductive Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the full spectrum of reproductive health, including family planning, STI management, infertility, and reproductive health counselling.
Research Methods in Reproductive Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces research methodologies for reproductive health research, covering study design, data collection, statistical analysis, and ethical considerations.
Obstetric Complications and Emergencies
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers the management of obstetric emergencies, including haemorrhage, eclampsia, obstructed labour, sepsis, and obstetric fistula.
Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops advanced skills in antenatal assessment, high-risk pregnancy management, and postnatal care for mothers and newborns.
Family Planning and Contraception
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers family planning methods, contraceptive counselling, long-acting reversible contraception, and family planning programme management.
Reproductive Endocrinology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Examines hormonal aspects of reproduction, including infertility management, menstrual disorders, and reproductive endocrine conditions.
Safe Motherhood Practices
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Covers comprehensive safe motherhood strategies, including maternal nutrition, birth preparedness, and complication readiness.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Covers diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including their impact on reproductive health.
Maternal Nutrition
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Examines nutritional requirements during pregnancy and lactation, management of maternal malnutrition, and nutrition counselling.
Clinical Rotations in Maternal and Reproductive Health
Year 2Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised clinical rotations in maternity wards, antenatal clinics, and reproductive health clinics, providing hands-on clinical experience.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 48 creditsCore
An original research thesis in maternal and reproductive health, demonstrating mastery of research methods and contribution to maternal health practice.

Specialisations

Obstetric Clinical Medicine
Focuses on advanced diagnosis, treatment, and management of obstetric conditions, including pregnancy complications and obstetric emergencies.
Reproductive Health Services
Covers the full spectrum of reproductive health services, including family planning, STI management, and reproductive health counselling.
Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Develops advanced skills in antenatal assessment, high-risk pregnancy management, and postnatal care for mothers and newborns.
Obstetric Emergencies
Focuses on the management of obstetric emergencies, including haemorrhage, eclampsia, obstructed labour, and sepsis.
Reproductive Endocrinology
Examines hormonal aspects of reproduction, including infertility management, menstrual disorders, and reproductive endocrine conditions.
Safe Motherhood Practices
Covers comprehensive safe motherhood strategies, including maternal nutrition, birth preparedness, and complication readiness.

A day as a student

A typical day for a Master of Clinical Medicine in Maternal and Reproductive Health student at JKUAT combines morning lectures on obstetric medicine, reproductive health, or maternal complications with afternoon clinical rotations in maternity wards and reproductive health clinics. Students engage in case presentations, clinical skills simulations for obstetric emergencies, and evidence-based medicine discussions focused on maternal health. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis work, while clinical attachments at partner hospitals provide hands-on experience in antenatal care, labour and delivery management, and postnatal care. The programme's integration of theoretical study with clinical practice ensures graduates are both academically prepared and clinically competent.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme directly addresses Kenya's high maternal mortality ratio, creating strong demand for specialised maternal health practitioners.
Both full-time and part-time study options accommodate working clinical officers seeking career advancement.
The programme covers the full spectrum of maternal and reproductive health, from antenatal care to family planning and obstetric emergencies.

Against it

Exact tuition fees were not publicly available, making financial planning difficult for prospective students.
The programme is currently offered only at JKUAT, limiting institutional choice for prospective students.
Clinical rotations in maternity settings require availability for night shifts and weekend duties, which may be challenging for part-time students.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public187k to 248k

187k at Moi University248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private221k to 221k

221k at Mount Kenya University221k at Mount Kenya 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

Moi ~187K/yr. JKUAT ~248K unverified. MKU 104,550/sem (mku.ac.ke).

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, JKUAT internal postgraduate scholarships, and county government health sponsorship for clinical officers seeking advanced maternal health training.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Postgraduate Scholarships
County Government Health Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Postgraduate Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
Students demonstrating academic merit and financial need at JKUAT, subject to availability.
County Government Health Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 496,000Kenyan
Clinical officers employed by county governments may receive sponsorship for specialised maternal health training to address county maternal health workforce needs.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Second Class Honours (Lower Division) with at least three years of relevant experience. Pass degree holders with at least five years of relevant postgraduate experience may also be considered. Applicants must be registered with the Clinical Officers Council of Kenya (COCK).

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, clinical case presentations, and practical assessments throughout each semester.
Clinical Practicum Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of clinical competencies during supervised maternal and reproductive health rotations, including OSCEs.
End-of-Semester Examinations
Exam20% of the mark
Written examinations at the end of each semester, testing mastery of maternal and reproductive health knowledge.
Research Thesis
Project20% of the mark
An original research thesis in maternal and reproductive health, demonstrating research competence and contribution to maternal health practice.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT is a CUE-chartered public university. The programme is also regulated by the Clinical Officers Council of Kenya (COCK) for professional practice.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan university programmes. JKUAT is a CUE-chartered public university.
Clinical Officers Council of Kenya (COCK)
Professional registrationRequired
Statutory body regulating clinical officers in Kenya. Graduates must be registered with COCK to practise as specialised clinical officers in maternal and reproductive health.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Maternal Health Clinical Officer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 280,000
Provides specialised clinical care for pregnant women and new mothers in maternity departments, managing antenatal care, labour, and postnatal care.
Reproductive Health Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides reproductive health services including family planning, STI management, and reproductive health counselling in clinical settings.
Maternal Health Programme Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 270,000
Coordinates maternal health programmes for NGOs, government agencies, or health facilities, managing safe motherhood initiatives and reproductive health projects.
Obstetric Emergency Specialist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages obstetric emergencies in hospital settings, providing skilled care for complications such as haemorrhage, eclampsia, and obstructed labour.
Family Planning Service Provider
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 220,000
Provides family planning and contraceptive services in reproductive health clinics, offering counselling and long-acting reversible contraception.
Reproductive Health Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 230,000
Conducts research on maternal and reproductive health issues at research institutions, universities, or international health organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue specialised clinical roles in maternity departments, reproductive health clinics, maternal health programmes, and family planning services across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for reproductive health research, data analysis, and evidence-based practice in maternal health settings.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems
SoftwarePrimary
Digital patient record systems used in maternal health clinical practice for antenatal tracking, labour management, and clinical documentation.
WHO Reproductive Health Guidelines
ReferencePrimary
International guidelines for maternal and reproductive health practice, essential for evidence-based clinical care.
UpToDate
Software
Clinical decision support resource providing evidence-based obstetric and reproductive health information for clinical practice.
Zotero
Software
Reference management software for organising research sources and producing academic citations in reproductive health research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Maternal health specialisation is only for medical doctors and gynaecologists.
The programme specifically trains clinical officers to provide advanced maternal and reproductive health services, expanding the workforce of trained maternal health practitioners in Kenya.
Clinical officers cannot manage obstetric complications.
Graduates are trained to manage obstetric emergencies, pregnancy complications, and reproductive health conditions, working within their scope of practice and referral protocols.
Reproductive health is only about family planning.
The programme covers the full spectrum of reproductive health including antenatal care, obstetric complications, STI management, reproductive endocrinology, and safe motherhood practices.
Kenya has enough maternal health specialists without training clinical officers.
Kenya continues to face high maternal mortality ratios, particularly in rural areas, making this programme critical for expanding access to skilled maternal healthcare.
The programme is only relevant for women practitioners.
Maternal and reproductive health care is provided by practitioners of all genders, and the programme is open to all qualified clinical officers regardless of gender.