Education

Masters of Education in Educational Planning

The Master of Education in Educational Planning is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in educational planning, policy analysis, and education management. The programme combines educational planning theory with practical policy analysis, quantitative methods, and research application.

Core areas include educational planning methodologies, quantitative analysis in education planning, economics of education, education financing, human capital, equity and efficiency, cost-benefit analysis, research methods, educational statistics, and thesis. Students engage with both planning theory and practical analysis through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Faculty of Education, Kenyatta University through the School of Education, Moi University through the School of Education, and Maseno University as M.Ed in Educational Planning and Economics. All are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time, part-time, and distance learning modes of study.

Students develop competencies in educational planning, policy analysis, quantitative methods, economics of education, financing, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, project or thesis, and practical planning exercises.

University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 278,300/year (KES 556,600 total) for M.Ed in Educational Planning. Kenyatta University and Moi University charge similar fees for education masters programmes. Maseno University offers M.Ed in Educational Planning and Economics. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in education or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as educational planners, education policy analysts, school administrators, education officers, curriculum developers, and lecturers in educational planning across government ministries, education agencies, schools, colleges, universities, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Educational Planning Methodologies
Quantitative Analysis in Education Planning
Economics of Education and Human Capital
Education Financing and Cost-Benefit Analysis
Education Policy Analysis and Development
Educational Statistics and Data Analysis
Equity and Efficiency in Education
Research Methods in Education
Project Planning in Education
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Educational Planning Methodologies
Quantitative Analysis in Education Planning
Economics of Education and Human Capital
Education Financing and Cost-Benefit Analysis
Education Policy Analysis and Development
Educational Statistics and Data Analysis
Equity and Efficiency in Education
Research Methods in Education
Project Planning in Education
Thesis Research

Certifications

Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) Education Management Certification
UNESCO IIEP Educational Planning Certification

Specializations

Education Policy and Planning

Focuses on education policy and planning, covering policy analysis, planning methodologies, implementation, and managing education policy.

Economics of Education

Examines economics of education, covering human capital, cost-benefit, returns, and managing education economics.

Education Financing

Covers education financing, covering funding, budgets, cost analysis, and managing education financing.

Educational Statistics

Focuses on educational statistics, covering data collection, analysis, indicators, and managing educational statistics.

Project Planning in Education

Examines project planning in education, covering project design, implementation, monitoring, and managing education projects.

Equity and Access in Education

Covers equity and access in education, covering inequality, access, inclusion, and managing equity in education.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 278,300
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, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Planning Methodologies
Quantitative Analysis in Education Planning
Economics of Education and Human Capital
Education Financing and Cost-Benefit Analysis
Education Policy Analysis and Development
Educational Statistics and Data Analysis
Equity and Efficiency in Education
Research Methods in Education
Project Planning in Education
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Research Methods in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, education research methods, and conducting educational research, preparing students for their thesis.
Measurements and Evaluation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines measurement, evaluation, assessment, testing, and managing educational measurements.
Educational Statistics and Computer Application
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers data collection, analysis, indicators, statistics, computer applications, and managing educational statistics.
Methodologies in Educational Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines planning approaches, needs assessment, forecasting, and managing educational planning.
Quantitative Analysis in Education Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers data analysis, statistical methods, indicators, modelling, and managing quantitative analysis for planning.
Education and Economic Growth
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines education and economic growth, covering human capital, development, productivity, and managing education economics.
Human Capital in Economics of Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers human capital theory, investment, returns, and managing human capital in education.
Equity and Efficiency in Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines equity, access, inequality, inclusion, efficiency, and managing equity in education.
Financing of Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers funding sources, budgets, cost analysis, financial management, and managing education financing.
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines cost-benefit analysis, returns, investment, and managing cost-benefit analysis in education.
Micro Project Planning in Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and managing education projects.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an educational planning topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and planning knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Education Policy and Planning
Focuses on education policy and planning, covering policy analysis, planning methodologies, implementation, and managing education policy.
Economics of Education
Examines economics of education, covering human capital, cost-benefit, returns, and managing education economics.
Education Financing
Covers education financing, covering funding, budgets, cost analysis, and managing education financing.
Educational Statistics
Focuses on educational statistics, covering data collection, analysis, indicators, and managing educational statistics.
Project Planning in Education
Examines project planning in education, covering project design, implementation, monitoring, and managing education projects.
Equity and Access in Education
Covers equity and access in education, covering inequality, access, inclusion, and managing equity in education.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Ed in Educational Planning programme combines lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, practical exercises, and independent study. Sessions cover educational planning methodologies, economics of education, policy analysis, and research methods. Planning methodology sessions examine planning approaches, needs assessment, forecasting, and managing educational planning. Quantitative analysis sessions cover data collection, analysis, indicators, statistics, and managing quantitative analysis. Economics of education sessions cover human capital, returns, cost-benefit, and managing education economics. Education financing sessions cover funding, budgets, cost analysis, and managing education financing. Policy analysis sessions cover policy development, analysis, implementation, evaluation, and managing education policy. Equity sessions cover inequality, access, inclusion, efficiency, and managing equity in education. Statistics sessions cover data collection, analysis, computer applications, and managing educational statistics. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Project planning sessions cover project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and managing education projects. Case studies provide opportunities for analysing real educational planning scenarios and policy issues. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in educational planning and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced education planners, policy makers, and administrators provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis or project on an educational planning topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered by four public universities (UoN, KU, Moi, Maseno), providing wide institutional choice.
UoN offers the programme through face-to-face, ODeL, and blended modes, providing flexible study options.
Maseno offers a unique specialisation combining educational planning with economics.
Graduates are eligible for KIM and UNESCO IIEP certifications, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

UoN charges relatively high fees at approximately KES 278,300/year (KES 556,600 total).
KU, Moi, and Maseno specific educational planning fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in government and education agencies, with limited private sector demand.

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

Public187k to 278k

187k at Moi University278k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN E55:278,300/yr. Moi ~187,200/yr. Kabarak 82,600/sem, AIU 95,525/sem (official)

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN and KU may offer postgraduate bursaries and scholarships. Some education agencies and international organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study. UNESCO IIEP may offer fellowships for educational planning professionals.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
KU Postgraduate Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
UoN offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
KU Postgraduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
KU offers postgraduate scholarships for eligible students.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: UoN requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division in Education or related fields. KU requires similar qualifications. Moi University requires a Bachelor's degree in Education or related fields. Maseno requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division. 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, seminar presentations, case studies, project reports, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering educational planning, economics, policy, and research methods.
Project Assessment
Project30% of the mark
Practical assessment through planning projects, policy analysis exercises, and demonstrating educational planning skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an educational planning topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and planning knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University, and Maseno University (all public) offer M.Ed in Educational Planning or related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in educational planning. Graduates are eligible for KIM education management certification and UNESCO IIEP educational planning certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University, and Maseno University (all public) offer M.Ed in Educational Planning or related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in educational planning. Graduates are eligible for KIM education management certification and UNESCO IIEP educational planning certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Educational Planner
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Plans education programmes, overseeing needs assessment, forecasting, and managing educational planning.
Education Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses education policy, overseeing development, evaluation, and managing education policy.
School Administrator
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages school operations, overseeing administration, planning, and managing school management.
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages education programmes, overseeing implementation, monitoring, and managing education operations.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops curriculum, overseeing design, evaluation, and managing curriculum development.
Education Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches educational planning at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering education data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.
Stata
Software
Stata for statistical analysis, covering education data, econometrics, and managing statistical analysis.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Excel for data analysis, covering education data, budgets, planning, and managing data analysis.
R Studio
Software
R Studio for data analysis, covering education statistics, visualisation, and managing statistical computing.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Educational planning is just about timetabling.
Educational planning covers comprehensive methodologies, economics, policy, financing, and quantitative analysis beyond just timetabling.
This programme is only for teachers.
Educational planning skills are valuable for policy makers, administrators, researchers, and consultants beyond just teachers.
Economics of education is just about school budgets.
Economics of education covers comprehensive human capital, returns, cost-benefit, and efficiency analysis.
Education financing is just about fees.
Education financing covers comprehensive funding sources, budgets, cost analysis, and financial management.
Education policy is just about making rules.
Education policy covers comprehensive development, analysis, implementation, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.
Quantitative analysis is just about counting students.
Quantitative analysis covers comprehensive data collection, statistical methods, indicators, and computer applications.