Master of Divinity in Missions
The Master of Divinity in Missions provides advanced training in Christian missions, missiology, cross-cultural ministry, Islamic studies, and mission theology. Students learn mission theology, missiology, cross-cultural communication, world religions, and mission strategy. The programme is designed for those seeking advanced missions qualifications for cross-cultural ministry, mission leadership, or teaching.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 220,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 661,500 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 191,050 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Bachelor's Degree (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3 years, full-time, part-time, modular, evening, weekend, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop advanced competencies in missiology, cross-cultural ministry, mission strategy, Islamic studies, world religions, and mission theology. The curriculum covers mission theology, missiology, cross-cultural communication, world religions, Islamic studies, mission history, research methods, and a research thesis. The programme comprises 111 credit hours over three years with general and Islamic studies tracks.
Missions expertise is important for the church in Africa, which is both a mission field and a mission-sending continent. Churches, mission agencies, and theological institutions require trained missiologists. Africa's religious diversity, including Islam and traditional religions, creates demand for cross-cultural mission expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced missions training.
The programme combines classroom lectures with cross-cultural ministry practicum, case studies, and research. Students study missiology, analyse mission contexts, examine world religions, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, ministry practicum, and research supervision. The programme is offered in multiple modes including evening, weekend, and modular classes.
Graduates find employment as missionaries, mission agency leaders, cross-cultural ministry workers, missions teachers, or Christian organisation leaders in churches, mission agencies, and theological institutions. The MDiv supports careers in cross-cultural mission, mission leadership, and missiological education.
This programme is ideal for those seeking advanced missions qualifications for cross-cultural ministry or mission leadership. The programme provides advanced skills in missiology, cross-cultural communication, and mission strategy for global mission contexts.
What you study
10 subjects- Mission Theology
- Missiology
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- World Religions
- Islamic Studies
- Mission History
- Mission Strategy and Church Planting
- Research Methods
- Biblical Foundations for Mission
- Thesis Research
Modules
8 in the programmeMission Theology and Biblical Foundations
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Mission theology covering the biblical basis for mission, mission Dei, mission theology models, and the theology of cross-cultural ministry.
Missiology and Mission History
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Missiology covering mission theory, mission models, and mission history covering the history of Christian mission with focus on African mission history.
Cross-Cultural Communication
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Cross-cultural communication covering cultural analysis, communication theory, contextualisation, and communicating across cultural boundaries.
Research Methods for Mission Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, missiological research, and research ethics.
World Religions and Islamic Studies
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
World religions covering major world religions, and Islamic studies covering Islamic theology, practice, history, and Christian-Muslim relations.
Mission Strategy and Church Planting
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Mission strategy covering mission strategy development, church planting, disciple-making movements, and sustainable mission models.
Cross-Cultural Ministry Practicum
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Supervised cross-cultural ministry practicum providing hands-on experience in diverse cultural and religious contexts.
Thesis Research and Defence
Year 3Semester 18 creditsCore
A research thesis on a missions topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to missiological knowledge and practice.
Specialisations
Islamic Studies
Focus on Islamic theology, practice, history, Christian-Muslim relations, and ministry in Muslim contexts.
Cross-Cultural Mission
Focus on cross-cultural communication, cultural analysis, contextualisation, and ministry across cultural boundaries.
Mission Strategy
Focus on mission strategy development, church planting, disciple-making movements, and sustainable mission models.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on missiology or world religions with afternoon cross-cultural ministry practicum and case study discussions. Students study mission theology, analyse mission contexts, examine Islamic studies, and conduct research. Cross-cultural ministry practicum provides hands-on experience in diverse cultural settings. The programme emphasises missiological understanding, cross-cultural competence, and mission strategy for effective global mission.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| AIU's School of World Mission is a leading African institution for mission studies. | The programme is 3 years with 111 credit hours, requiring significant time commitment. |
| Available in both General and Islamic Studies tracks, providing specialised training for different mission contexts. | Career opportunities are primarily within church and mission agency contexts. |
| Includes cross-cultural ministry practicum, providing hands-on experience in diverse cultural settings. | Mission work often involves working in challenging contexts with limited financial compensation. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 188 arts & humanities 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
UoN 441K/2yr(keguide). Maseno 236.7K(yumpu). AIU 95.5K/sem2(vm). Tangaza 95K/sem2(official)
HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. AIU may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students. Mission agencies and churches may sponsor students for mission training.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities
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
Recognised Bachelor's degree with GPA 3.0 or Second Class Upper Division, or GPA 2.75-2.99 with 2 years of working/ministry experience.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Adventist University of Africa, Africa International University, Pan Africa Christian University.
Including Adventist University of Africa, Pan Africa Christian University.
Including Adventist University of Africa, Africa International University, Pan Africa Christian University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework and Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, examinations, and assignments evaluating understanding of missiology and mission studies concepts.
Ministry Practicum and Case Studies
Practical30% of the mark
Cross-cultural ministry practicum assessments, case study analyses, and ministry presentations evaluating practical mission skills.
Thesis Defence
Project30% of the mark
A research thesis demonstrating research competence in missions, defended before an examination panel.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
AIU is chartered by CUE. MDiv programme accredited by CUE.
Africa International University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MDiv programme is accredited by CUE.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesMissionary
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 150,000
Serves as a cross-cultural missionary in mission agencies, working in diverse cultural and religious contexts for Christian mission.
Mission Agency Leader
Low demand
Leads a mission agency or mission department, managing mission programmes, strategy, and mission personnel.
Missions Lecturer
Low demand
Teaches missiology and mission studies in seminaries or theological colleges, training future missionaries and church leaders.
Cross-Cultural Ministry Worker
Low demand
Works in cross-cultural ministry in churches, Christian organisations, or NGOs, applying cross-cultural skills in diverse settings.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as missionaries, mission agency leaders, and cross-cultural ministry workers in churches, mission agencies, and theological institutions across Africa and globally.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Missions is just about evangelism.
Missions covers missiology, cross-cultural communication, social justice, community development, and holistic ministry, not just evangelism.
Mission work doesn't need academic training.
Effective cross-cultural mission requires training in missiology, cultural analysis, world religions, language acquisition, and mission strategy.
Islamic studies is only for working in Muslim contexts.
Islamic studies provides understanding of Islam for dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and effective ministry in increasingly pluralistic societies.
Missions is a Western enterprise.
Africa is now a major mission-sending continent, with African missionaries serving across Africa and globally, requiring trained African missiologists.