Education

Master of Education (Curriculum, Instruction and Media)

The Master of Education (Curriculum, Instruction and Media) is a postgraduate programme that examines curriculum development, instructional design, and the integration of media and technology in teaching and learning. The programme prepares educators to design, implement, and evaluate curricula while effectively using instructional media.

Core areas include curriculum theory and development, instructional design, educational media and technology, teaching methodologies, educational research methods, and assessment and evaluation. Students engage with both curriculum theory and practical media integration in teaching.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University through its School of Education, and by Maasai Mara University through its School of Education. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years on a full-time or part-time basis.

Students develop competencies in curriculum design, instructional media production, teaching methodology, educational technology integration, research methods, and evaluation. The programme includes coursework, examinations, teaching practicum, and thesis research.

Maasai Mara University charges a total programme fee of KES 230,500 (approximately KES 115,250/year) based on its 2025 masters fee structure. Kenyatta University charges KES 120,000/year in tuition plus KES 22,700/year statutory fees (approximately KES 142,700/year). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours or Lower Second Division with relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as curriculum developers, instructional designers, media and technology coordinators, teacher educators, and education researchers in schools, universities, and educational technology organisations.

Skills Required

Curriculum Theory and Development
Instructional Design
Educational Media Production
Educational Technology Integration
Teaching Methodologies
Educational Research Methods
Assessment and Evaluation
Multimedia Learning Design
Curriculum Implementation and Evaluation
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Curriculum Theory and Development
Instructional Design
Educational Media and Technology
Teaching Methodologies
Educational Research Methods
Assessment and Evaluation
Curriculum Implementation
Multimedia Learning Design
Educational Psychology
Thesis Research

Certifications

TSC Teacher Registration
ISTE Educational Technology Certification

Specializations

Curriculum Development

Focuses on curriculum theory, design, development, and implementation, examining processes for creating effective educational curricula.

Instructional Design

Examines instructional design principles, learning theories, and designing effective instructional materials and learning experiences.

Educational Media and Technology

Covers educational media production, technology integration, and using media and technology to enhance teaching and learning.

Teaching Methodologies

Focuses on teaching strategies, pedagogical approaches, and effective methods for delivering instruction across different subjects and levels.

Curriculum Evaluation

Examines curriculum evaluation methods, assessment strategies, and evaluating curriculum effectiveness and student outcomes.

Distance and E-Learning

Covers distance education, e-learning design, online instruction, and developing and delivering education through digital platforms.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 246,000
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Curriculum Theory and Development
Instructional Design
Educational Media and Technology
Teaching Methodologies
Educational Research Methods
Assessment and Evaluation
Curriculum Implementation
Multimedia Learning Design
Educational Psychology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Curriculum Theory and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines curriculum theory, models, frameworks, and processes for designing, developing, and implementing effective educational curricula.
Instructional Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers learning theories, instructional design principles, and designing effective instructional materials and learning experiences.
Educational Media Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines media production techniques, audio-visual materials, multimedia resources, and creating instructional media for teaching and learning.
Educational Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting educational research, preparing students for their thesis.
Teaching Methodologies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines pedagogical approaches, teaching strategies, and effective methods for delivering instruction across different subjects and levels.
Educational Technology Integration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers integrating technology into teaching, e-learning platforms, digital tools, and enhancing teaching and learning with technology.
Assessment and Evaluation in Curriculum
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines developing tests, rubrics, and evaluation tools, and evaluating curriculum effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
Distance and E-Learning Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers distance education models, e-learning design, online instruction, and developing and delivering education through digital platforms.
Curriculum Implementation and Change
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines curriculum implementation processes, managing educational change, and strategies for successful curriculum adoption in institutions.
Teaching Practicum
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice applying curriculum, instructional design, and media integration knowledge in a classroom setting.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation for thesis development.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a curriculum, instruction, or media topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Curriculum Development
Focuses on curriculum theory, design, development, and implementation, examining processes for creating effective educational curricula.
Instructional Design
Examines instructional design principles, learning theories, and designing effective instructional materials and learning experiences.
Educational Media and Technology
Covers educational media production, technology integration, and using media and technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Teaching Methodologies
Focuses on teaching strategies, pedagogical approaches, and effective methods for delivering instruction across different subjects and levels.
Curriculum Evaluation
Examines curriculum evaluation methods, assessment strategies, and evaluating curriculum effectiveness and student outcomes.
Distance and E-Learning
Covers distance education, e-learning design, online instruction, and developing and delivering education through digital platforms.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Ed. (Curriculum, Instruction and Media) programme combines lectures, media production workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover curriculum theory, instructional design, educational media, and teaching methodologies. Curriculum theory sessions examine curriculum development processes, models, and frameworks for designing effective educational curricula. Instructional design sessions cover learning theories, instructional design principles, and designing effective instructional materials and learning experiences. Educational media sessions examine media production, using audio-visual materials, multimedia resources, and digital tools to enhance teaching and learning. Teaching methodologies sessions cover pedagogical approaches, teaching strategies, and effective methods for delivering instruction. Educational technology sessions examine integrating technology into teaching, e-learning platforms, and digital learning tools. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Assessment and evaluation sessions cover developing tests, rubrics, and evaluating curriculum effectiveness and student outcomes. Media production workshops provide hands-on experience creating instructional materials and multimedia resources. Teaching practicum provides classroom experience applying curriculum and instructional design knowledge. Guest lectures from curriculum developers, instructional designers, and educational technology experts provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a curriculum, instruction, or media topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines curriculum theory with instructional design and media integration, providing versatile skills for modern education.
Directly relevant to Kenya's Competency-Based Curriculum implementation and ongoing curriculum reforms.
Offered by two public universities with relatively affordable tuition, ranging from KES 115,250 to KES 142,700 per year.
Graduates qualify for diverse roles including curriculum development, instructional design, and educational technology coordination.

Against it

Programme is only offered by two public universities, limiting geographic choice.
No private university option for those preferring private education or flexible study modes.
Educational technology component may require access to hardware and software that varies by institution.
Career advancement may require additional qualifications or experience for senior curriculum development roles.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public115k to 246k

115k at Maasai Mara University246k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International 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 246K/yr (joweri.com). Maasai Mara 115,250 avg (mmarau.ac.ke). Kabarak 165K, AIU 191K

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC supports teacher professional development. KICD may provide support for curriculum development research. Educational technology programmes may attract support from technology companies and international education organisations.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Teacher Professional Development
KICD Curriculum Development Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate education studies at recognised universities.
TSC Teacher Professional Development
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Teachers Service Commission supports professional development for registered teachers pursuing postgraduate curriculum and instruction qualifications.
Maasai Mara University Bursary
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Maasai Mara University offers bursaries for qualifying postgraduate students demonstrating financial need.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Kenyatta University requires a Bachelor's degree in Education or its equivalent, with holders of other relevant qualifications admitted after approval by Senate. Maasai Mara University requires a Bachelor's Degree with Upper Second Class Honours, or Lower Second Division with two years' post-qualification work experience, or a Pass plus a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, media production projects, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering curriculum theory, instructional design, educational media, and teaching methodologies.
Teaching Practicum and Media Projects
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through teaching practicum, media production projects, and demonstrating instructional design and curriculum implementation skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a curriculum, instruction, or media 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). Kenyatta University and Maasai Mara University both offer M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction and Media through their Schools of Education. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate curriculum and instructional media training. Graduates are eligible for TSC registration.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and Maasai Mara University both offer M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction and Media through their Schools of Education. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate curriculum and instructional media training. Graduates are eligible for TSC registration.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Develops education curricula and instructional materials, overseeing curriculum design, content development, and supporting education quality.
Instructional Designer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs instructional materials and learning experiences, overseeing instructional design, content development, and learning technology implementation.
Educational Technology Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Coordinates educational technology integration, overseeing technology adoption, training, and supporting technology-enhanced teaching and learning.
Teacher Educator
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Trains future teachers at universities and teacher training colleges, overseeing teacher education and professional development.
Media and Communication Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Develops educational media and communication materials, overseeing content creation, media production, and educational communication.
Education Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts research in curriculum, instruction, and media, overseeing research projects, publishing findings, and contributing to education knowledge.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for educational research, data analysis, quantitative methods, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.
Adobe Creative Suite
Software
Multimedia production software for creating instructional videos, graphics, and educational media materials.
Moodle
Software
Learning management system for designing and delivering online courses, managing e-learning content, and supporting distance education.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Software
Presentation software for teaching presentations, instructional materials, and communicating curriculum and instructional design content.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme is only about using computers and technology in teaching.
The programme covers curriculum theory, instructional design, and pedagogy broadly, with media and technology as one component among curriculum development and teaching methodology.
The programme is only for teachers who want to become tech coordinators.
Graduates work in curriculum development, instructional design, teacher education, and education research, not just technology roles.
Curriculum, Instruction and Media is the same as basic teaching training.
The programme provides advanced, specialised training in curriculum theory, instructional design, and media integration beyond basic teacher training.
This degree has limited relevance given Kenya's focus on Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The programme's focus on curriculum development and instructional design is directly relevant to implementing and evaluating CBC and future curriculum reforms.
The programme does not involve significant research.
The programme includes a substantial thesis research component, developing research skills applicable to curriculum and media studies.
Media and technology skills from this programme quickly become outdated.
The programme emphasises foundational instructional design principles and curriculum theory that remain relevant even as specific technologies evolve.