Environmental Science

Master of Education (Environmental Education)

The Master of Education (Environmental Education) is a postgraduate programme that prepares educators, curriculum developers, and environmental practitioners to integrate environmental awareness and sustainability into education systems. The programme combines environmental science with educational theory and pedagogy.

Core areas include education for sustainable development, environmental change and development, curriculum development for environmental education, environmental impact assessment, participatory environmental management, instructional methods, and thesis research. Students engage with both environmental science and educational practice.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University through its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (Department of Environmental Science and Education), and by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) 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 environmental education curriculum design, environmental impact assessment, participatory resource management, instructional methods for environmental topics, research methods, and sustainability education. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and thesis or project research.

Kenyatta University charges KES 295,800 per year (East Africans). MMUST charges approximately KES 120,450 per year based on its general Masters fee structure. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Agriculture, Biophysical Sciences, Social Sciences, or Education.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental education specialists, curriculum developers, environmental programme coordinators, sustainability educators, and researchers in schools, environmental agencies, NGOs, and international conservation organisations.

Skills Required

Education for Sustainable Development
Environmental Curriculum Design
Environmental Impact Assessment
Participatory Environmental Management
Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation
Instructional Methods for Environmental Education
Environmental Research Methods
Sustainability Education
Indigenous Environmental Knowledge Integration
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Education for Sustainable Development
Environmental Change and Development
Advanced Curriculum Development
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Decision Making
Participatory Environmental Management
Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation
Instructional Methods
Indigenous Environmental Knowledge
Research Methods and Applied Statistics

Certifications

NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment Lead Expert
NAAEE Environmental Education Certification

Specializations

Education for Sustainable Development

Focuses on integrating sustainability principles into education systems, examining sustainable development goals and their application in educational practice.

Environmental Curriculum Development

Examines designing environmental education curricula, learning frameworks, and instructional materials for schools and communities.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Covers environmental impact assessment methods, evaluating environmental consequences of projects, and integrating assessment into education and policy.

Participatory Environmental Management

Focuses on participatory approaches to environmental resource management, engaging communities in sustainable resource use and conservation.

Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation

Examines monitoring and evaluation methods for environmental programmes, tracking outcomes and assessing effectiveness of environmental education initiatives.

Indigenous Environmental Knowledge

Covers integrating indigenous environmental knowledge and practices into formal environmental education and sustainability programmes.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Education for Sustainable Development
Environmental Change and Development
Advanced Curriculum Development
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Decision Making
Participatory Environmental Management
Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation
Instructional Methods
Indigenous Environmental Knowledge
Research Methods and Applied Statistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Applied Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers statistical methods, data analysis, and applying statistics to environmental education research and assessment.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting environmental education research, preparing students for their thesis.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental impact assessment methods, evaluating environmental consequences of projects, and integrating assessment into education and policy.
Education for Sustainable Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines sustainability principles, sustainable development goals, and integrating sustainability into education systems and practice.
Environmental Change and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and environmental challenges facing Kenya and the world.
Advanced Curriculum Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines designing environmental education curricula, learning frameworks, and instructional materials for schools and communities.
Environmental Decision Making
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers environmental policy, decision-making processes, and analysing and influencing environmental decisions at institutional and national levels.
Participatory Environmental Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines participatory approaches to environmental resource management, engaging communities in sustainable resource use and conservation.
Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers monitoring and evaluation methods for environmental programmes, tracking outcomes and assessing effectiveness of environmental education initiatives.
Instructional Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines teaching strategies for environmental topics, field-based learning, and experiential environmental education methods.
Indigenous Environmental Knowledge
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers integrating indigenous environmental knowledge and practices into formal environmental education and sustainability programmes.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an environmental education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Education for Sustainable Development
Focuses on integrating sustainability principles into education systems, examining sustainable development goals and their application in educational practice.
Environmental Curriculum Development
Examines designing environmental education curricula, learning frameworks, and instructional materials for schools and communities.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Covers environmental impact assessment methods, evaluating environmental consequences of projects, and integrating assessment into education and policy.
Participatory Environmental Management
Focuses on participatory approaches to environmental resource management, engaging communities in sustainable resource use and conservation.
Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation
Examines monitoring and evaluation methods for environmental programmes, tracking outcomes and assessing effectiveness of environmental education initiatives.
Indigenous Environmental Knowledge
Covers integrating indigenous environmental knowledge and practices into formal environmental education and sustainability programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Ed. (Environmental Education) programme combines lectures, field visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover education for sustainable development, environmental change, curriculum development, and impact assessment. Education for sustainable development sessions examine sustainability principles, sustainable development goals, and integrating sustainability into education systems. Environmental change sessions cover climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental challenges facing Kenya and the world. Curriculum development sessions examine designing environmental education curricula, learning frameworks, and instructional materials for schools and communities. Environmental impact assessment sessions cover assessment methods, evaluating environmental consequences of projects, and integrating assessment into education and policy. Participatory environmental management sessions examine engaging communities in sustainable resource use and conservation. Instructional methods sessions cover teaching strategies for environmental topics, field-based learning, and experiential environmental education. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis or project, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Field visits to environmental conservation sites, national parks, and community conservation projects provide practical exposure to environmental education in action. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current environmental issues and education responses. Guest lectures from environmental practitioners and conservation organisations provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis or project on an environmental education topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses critical environmental challenges facing Kenya and the world, making it highly relevant and impactful.
Combines environmental science with educational theory, providing unique interdisciplinary skills for environmental education roles.
Growing global emphasis on sustainability and climate action increases demand for environmental education professionals.
KU offers comprehensive curriculum with both thesis and project options, accommodating different career goals.

Against it

Significant fee variation between institutions (KES 120,450 to KES 295,800 per year) requires careful cost comparison.
Programme is only offered by two public universities, limiting institutional choice.
Niche specialisation with fewer direct job openings compared to broader education or science qualifications.
KU's programme is classified as MSc rather than M.Ed, which may affect recognition in some education-specific contexts.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public187k to 296k

187k at Moi University296k at Kenyatta 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 KES 295,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi ~KES 187,200/yr (worldscholarshipforum). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. NEMA may support environmental research and education initiatives. UNESCO and international conservation organisations may provide support for environmental education research and programming. Programmes addressing sustainability and climate change may attract funding from environmental and development organisations.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
NEMA Environmental Research Grants
UNESCO ESD Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate environmental education studies at recognised universities.
NEMA Environmental Research Grants
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
NEMA supports environmental research and education initiatives, providing grants for postgraduate study and research in environmental education.
UNESCO ESD Research Support
GrantKsh 250,000
UNESCO supports education for sustainable development research and programming, providing grants for postgraduate study and research.

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 with First Class or Upper Second Class Honours in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Agriculture, Biophysical Sciences, or Social Sciences. Lower Second Division holders need two years of relevant work experience. MMUST requires a degree in environmental education or equivalent. 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, field reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering environmental education theory, curriculum development, impact assessment, and sustainability concepts.
Field and Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through field visits, environmental impact assessment exercises, and demonstrating environmental education and assessment skills.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project on an environmental education 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 offers MSc (Environmental Education) through its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, and MMUST offers Master of Environmental Education through its School of Education. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate environmental education training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University offers MSc (Environmental Education) through its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, and MMUST offers Master of Environmental Education through its School of Education. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate environmental education training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Environmental Education Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Specialises in environmental education, overseeing curriculum design, programme development, and supporting environmental awareness in educational institutions.
Environmental Programme Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Coordinates environmental education programmes, overseeing implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and ensuring programme effectiveness.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Develops environmental education curricula and instructional materials, overseeing curriculum design and supporting effective environmental teaching.
Sustainability Educator
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Educates communities and organisations on sustainability practices, overseeing sustainability education programmes and initiatives.
Environmental Impact Assessment Expert
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts environmental impact assessments, overseeing assessment, analysis, and reporting for development projects and programmes.
Environmental Education Researcher
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts research in environmental education, overseeing research projects, publishing findings, and contributing to environmental education knowledge.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for environmental education research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.
GIS Software
Software
Geographic Information Systems software for mapping environmental data, spatial analysis, and supporting environmental education and impact assessment.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Software
Presentation software for environmental education presentations, programme reports, and communicating environmental concepts and research.
Microsoft Word
Software
Word processing software for research papers, thesis writing, environmental reports, and producing academic and environmental education documents.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental education is just about teaching nature and conservation.
The programme covers sustainability, policy, impact assessment, curriculum development, and participatory management, providing broader skills than basic nature education.
This degree only leads to teaching roles in schools.
Graduates work as environmental programme coordinators, sustainability consultants, impact assessment experts, and researchers in NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations.
Environmental education is not relevant in Kenya's development context.
Kenya faces significant environmental challenges including climate change, deforestation, and resource degradation, making environmental education critical for sustainable development.
The programme is purely theoretical with no field component.
The programme includes field visits, practical impact assessment exercises, and community-based environmental education projects alongside theoretical study.
Environmental education has limited career prospects.
Growing global emphasis on sustainability, climate action, and environmental governance is increasing demand for qualified environmental education professionals.
This is the same as a general Environmental Science degree.
While sharing environmental science foundations, this programme specifically focuses on education, curriculum design, and pedagogy for environmental topics, distinct from pure environmental science.