Education

Master of Education in Curriculum Studies

The Master of Education in Curriculum Studies is a postgraduate programme that equips education professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in curriculum theory, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The programme prepares graduates for leadership roles in curriculum development, educational research, and instructional design across all levels of education.

Core areas of study include curriculum theory and design, instructional theory and design, curriculum change and innovation, curriculum implementation and management, curriculum evaluation, measurement and evaluation in education, research methods in education, educational statistics, critical thinking in education, and specialised curriculum areas. Students engage with curriculum challenges across early childhood, primary, secondary, higher, adult, and special needs education.

The programme is offered by Maseno University through its School of Education, with Laikipia University and Kabarak University also offering related programmes. Maseno University has a well-established School of Education with comprehensive postgraduate programmes. The programme combines coursework, research, and a thesis.

Students develop competencies in curriculum design, development, evaluation, implementation management, instructional design, educational measurement, research methodology, and critical analysis. The programme includes elective courses allowing specialisation in specific curriculum areas including early childhood, primary, secondary, higher, adult, teacher, indigenous, and special needs education curriculum.

The programme is delivered over two years with coursework in the first year and research in the second year. Full-time, part-time, school-based, evening, and weekend modes are available at various institutions. The programme is designed for teachers, curriculum developers, education officers, and instructional designers.

Graduates pursue careers as curriculum developers, instructional designers, teacher educators, education officers, curriculum consultants, educational researchers, and school administrators in educational institutions, government education departments, curriculum development agencies, and international education organisations.

Skills Required

Curriculum Theory and Design
Instructional Theory and Design
Curriculum Development and Implementation
Curriculum Evaluation and Assessment
Curriculum Change and Innovation Management
Measurement and Evaluation in Education
Research Methods in Education
Educational Statistics and Data Analysis
Critical Thinking in Education
Educational Resource Development

Key Subjects

Curriculum Theory and Design
Instructional Theory and Design
Curriculum Change and Innovation
Curriculum Implementation and Management
Curriculum Evaluation
Measurement and Evaluation in Education
Research Methods in Education
Educational Statistics and Computer Applications
Critical Thinking in Education
Education and Human Resource Development

Certifications

KICD Curriculum Development Certification
UNESCO IBE Curriculum Specialist Certification

Specializations

Early Childhood Education Curriculum

Focuses on curriculum design, development, and evaluation for early childhood education, including play-based learning, early literacy, and developmental curriculum frameworks.

Primary School Curriculum

Examines primary school curriculum design, competency-based curriculum implementation, subject integration, and primary education pedagogy.

Secondary School Curriculum

Covers secondary school curriculum design, subject specialisation curriculum, examination-based curriculum, and secondary education pedagogy.

Higher Education Curriculum

Focuses on curriculum design for universities and colleges, including programme development, academic curriculum planning, and higher education pedagogy.

Adult Education Curriculum

Examines adult education curriculum design, andragogy, lifelong learning curriculum, and community education programme development.

Teacher Education Curriculum

Covers curriculum design for teacher training programmes, including teacher professional development curriculum, pedagogical training, and teacher education standards.

Special Needs Education Curriculum

Focuses on curriculum design for learners with special needs, inclusive curriculum development, differentiated instruction, and adaptive curriculum frameworks.

Indigenous Education Curriculum

Examines indigenous knowledge integration in curriculum, culturally responsive curriculum design, and indigenous education frameworks.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Evening, Weekend, School-based
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Curriculum Theory and Design
Instructional Theory and Design
Curriculum Change and Innovation
Curriculum Implementation and Management
Curriculum Evaluation
Measurement and Evaluation in Education
Research Methods in Education
Educational Statistics and Computer Applications
Critical Thinking in Education
Education and Human Resource Development

Modules

10 in the programme

Research Methods in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in education, including research design, data collection, and analysis.
Educational Statistics and Computer Applications
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods for educational research, data analysis techniques, and computer applications for educational data management and analysis.
Curriculum Theory and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines curriculum theory, curriculum design models, curriculum development processes, and theoretical frameworks for curriculum construction.
Instructional Theory and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers instructional theory, instructional design models, teaching strategies, and the relationship between curriculum and instruction.
Measurement and Evaluation in Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines educational measurement, assessment design, evaluation methods, and the use of assessment data for curriculum improvement.
Curriculum Change and Innovation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers curriculum change theories, innovation in curriculum, implementation of curriculum reforms, and management of curriculum change in educational institutions.
Curriculum Implementation and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines curriculum implementation processes, management of curriculum delivery, teacher capacity building, and monitoring curriculum implementation.
Curriculum Evaluation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers curriculum evaluation models, evaluation design, data collection for evaluation, and using evaluation findings for curriculum improvement.
Critical Thinking in Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines critical thinking theory, critical pedagogy, critical analysis of educational practices, and fostering critical thinking in curriculum and instruction.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a curriculum studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and curriculum theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Early Childhood Education Curriculum
Focuses on curriculum design, development, and evaluation for early childhood education, including play-based learning, early literacy, and developmental curriculum frameworks.
Primary School Curriculum
Examines primary school curriculum design, competency-based curriculum implementation, subject integration, and primary education pedagogy.
Secondary School Curriculum
Covers secondary school curriculum design, subject specialisation curriculum, examination-based curriculum, and secondary education pedagogy.
Higher Education Curriculum
Focuses on curriculum design for universities and colleges, including programme development, academic curriculum planning, and higher education pedagogy.
Adult Education Curriculum
Examines adult education curriculum design, andragogy, lifelong learning curriculum, and community education programme development.
Teacher Education Curriculum
Covers curriculum design for teacher training programmes, including teacher professional development curriculum, pedagogical training, and teacher education standards.
Special Needs Education Curriculum
Focuses on curriculum design for learners with special needs, inclusive curriculum development, differentiated instruction, and adaptive curriculum frameworks.
Indigenous Education Curriculum
Examines indigenous knowledge integration in curriculum, culturally responsive curriculum design, and indigenous education frameworks.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures at Maseno University's School of Education on curriculum theory, instructional design, or curriculum evaluation. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing curriculum frameworks, competency-based curriculum implementation, and curriculum change case studies. Group projects involve designing curriculum units, developing instructional materials, or evaluating existing curriculum programmes. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, with statistics and computer applications training for educational data analysis. Elective courses allow specialisation in specific curriculum areas such as early childhood, secondary, or special needs education curriculum. Guest lectures from KICD curriculum developers, experienced teacher educators, and international education consultants provide real-world insights. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent research on curriculum topics, working under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at multiple institutions including Maseno University's well-established School of Education, providing flexibility in study mode and location.
Kenya's competency-based curriculum rollout creates strong demand for curriculum specialists with advanced training.
Programme includes elective courses allowing specialisation in specific curriculum areas from early childhood to higher education.
Programme combines curriculum theory with practical design, implementation, and evaluation skills, providing directly applicable expertise.

Against it

Programme quality and content may vary between offering institutions, with limited standardisation across universities.
Curriculum development jobs in Kenya are primarily concentrated at KICD and government education departments, with limited private sector opportunities.
Programme may require additional KICD certification for professional recognition as a curriculum developer.
Rapid curriculum changes in Kenya require continuous professional development beyond the programme to stay current.

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

Public158k to 187k

158k at Maseno University187k at Moi 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

Moi ~187K (worldscholarshipforum). Maseno 157,750 unverified. Kabarak 165K (kabarak.ac.ke). AIU 191K

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC may grant study leave with sponsorship for teachers pursuing postgraduate education. Universities offer limited internal financial aid for postgraduate students.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
University Financial Aid

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 157,750Kenyan
TSC-employed teachers may be granted study leave with sponsorship for postgraduate education in curriculum studies.
University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 100,000
Postgraduate students demonstrating academic merit and financial need at offering universities.

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 available in full-time, part-time, school-based, evening, and weekend modes. Application fee is KES 2,000. The programme is designed for teachers, curriculum developers, education officers, and instructional designers seeking advanced curriculum expertise.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, curriculum analysis essays, curriculum design projects, instructional material development, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Practical Projects
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving curriculum design projects, curriculum evaluation exercises, instructional material development, and curriculum implementation analysis.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering curriculum theory, design, evaluation, and research methods, including essay questions and case analysis.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a curriculum studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and curriculum theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Maseno University offers the programme through its School of Education. Laikipia University, Kabarak University, and Moi University are all CUE-accredited institutions. The programme aligns with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Maseno University, Laikipia University, Kabarak University, and Moi University are all CUE-accredited institutions.
Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)
Professional certification
KICD is Kenya's curriculum development authority. Graduates may pursue KICD certification for professional recognition as curriculum developers.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Curriculum Developer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Develops curriculum frameworks, syllabi, and instructional materials for educational institutions, government agencies, or curriculum development organisations like KICD.
Instructional Designer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs instructional materials, learning resources, and educational programmes for schools, universities, e-learning platforms, or educational publishers.
Teacher Educator
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 280,000
Trains teachers at teacher training colleges or universities, teaching curriculum studies, instructional methods, and educational theory.
Education Officer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 280,000
Works in county or national education offices, overseeing curriculum implementation, school supervision, and education quality assurance.
Curriculum Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides consulting services on curriculum development, instructional design, and educational programme evaluation for schools, NGOs, and international organisations.
Educational Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 300,000
Conducts research on curriculum, instruction, and educational outcomes for research institutions, universities, or international education organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as curriculum developers, instructional designers, teacher educators, education officers, and educational researchers in educational institutions, government, and curriculum development agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for educational research, including survey data analysis, assessment data, and programme evaluation in curriculum studies.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, classroom observations, and qualitative research in curriculum studies.
Moodle
Software
Learning management system for curriculum delivery, online course design, and educational resource management in curriculum implementation.
Google Workspace for Education
Software
Education-focused productivity and collaboration tools supporting curriculum development, instructional design, and educational resource creation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Curriculum studies is just about writing textbooks.
The programme covers comprehensive curriculum theory, design, implementation, evaluation, and policy, going well beyond textbook writing to include the entire curriculum development process.
This programme is only for those who want to work at KICD.
Graduates work in schools, universities, government, NGOs, international organisations, and private sector in curriculum development, instructional design, teacher education, and educational research.
Curriculum studies has no practical application.
The programme includes practical curriculum design projects, evaluation exercises, and a research thesis, providing directly applicable skills for curriculum development work.
The CBC rollout makes this programme irrelevant.
The competency-based curriculum rollout increases demand for curriculum specialists who understand curriculum theory, implementation, and evaluation in the Kenyan context.
You need to be an experienced teacher to study curriculum.
While teaching experience is valuable, the programme accepts professionals from diverse educational backgrounds including administration, policy, and instructional design.
Curriculum studies is a soft subject with no rigour.
The programme involves research methods, statistics, curriculum theory, evaluation methodologies, and critical analysis, meeting postgraduate academic standards.