Education

Master of Education in Health Education

The Master of Education in Health Education is a specialised postgraduate programme that equips education and health professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in health education theory, curriculum development, and health promotion practice. The programme prepares graduates to design, implement, and evaluate health education programmes in schools, communities, and health institutions.

Core areas of study include theories of health education, health education approaches in the curriculum, participatory health education and community mobilisation, health education programmes, health education and gender issues, public health education, contemporary themes in education, educational research methods, educational statistics, and research thesis. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications of health education.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University, with Kenyatta University listed as a college. Kenyatta University offers the programme through its Department of Educational Foundations with a comprehensive curriculum. The programme combines health education theory with educational practice.

Students develop competencies in health education theory, curriculum development for health education, participatory health education methods, community mobilisation, health programme design, gender-sensitive health education, public health education, research methodology, and programme evaluation. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a thesis or project option.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time modes available. Students can choose between coursework, examination and thesis (minimum 10 units) or coursework, examination and project (minimum 14 units). The programme is designed for teachers, health educators, public health workers, and education managers seeking health education expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as health education teachers, public health educators, health promotion officers, community health educators, school health coordinators, health programme managers, and health education consultants in schools, health institutions, government, NGOs, and international health organisations.

Skills Required

Health Education Theory and Practice
Curriculum Development for Health Education
Participatory Health Education and Community Mobilisation
Health Programme Design and Implementation
Public Health Education and Promotion
Gender-Sensitive Health Education
Health Education Research Methods
Community Health Needs Assessment
Health Education Programme Evaluation
Educational Statistics and Data Analysis

Key Subjects

Theories of Health Education
Health Education Approaches in the Curriculum
Participatory Health Education and Community Mobilisation
Health Education Programmes
Health, Education and Gender Issues
Public Health Education
Contemporary Themes in Education
Educational Research Methods
Educational Statistics
Research Thesis

Certifications

Kenya Health Promotion Professionals Certification
AMREF Health Education Training Certification

Specializations

School Health Education

Focuses on health education in schools, school health curriculum development, school health programmes, and promoting health literacy among school-age children.

Public Health Education

Examines public health education, health promotion in communities, public health campaigns, disease prevention education, and community health education strategies.

Community Health Mobilisation

Covers participatory health education, community mobilisation methods, community-based health promotion, and engaging communities in health education initiatives.

Health Education Curriculum Development

Focuses on curriculum development for health education, designing health education learning materials, and integrating health education across the curriculum.

Gender and Health Education

Examines gender issues in health education, gender-sensitive health promotion, addressing gender-based health disparities, and designing gender-responsive health education.

Health Programme Management

Covers health education programme design, programme management, monitoring and evaluation of health programmes, and health project planning.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Focuses on health promotion strategies, disease prevention education, lifestyle disease prevention, and designing health promotion interventions.

Health Education Research

Examines research methods in health education, evaluating health education interventions, health behaviour research, and evidence-based health education practice.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 246,000
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, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Theories of Health Education
Health Education Approaches in the Curriculum
Participatory Health Education and Community Mobilisation
Health Education Programmes
Health, Education and Gender Issues
Public Health Education
Contemporary Themes in Education
Educational Research Methods
Educational Statistics
Research Thesis

Modules

10 in the programme

Educational Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in health education, including research design and data analysis.
Educational Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods for educational research, descriptive and inferential statistics, and data analysis techniques for health education research.
Contemporary Themes in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers contemporary themes and issues in education, emerging challenges, and current trends relevant to health education practice.
Theories of Health Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines theories of health education, health behaviour theory, health promotion models, and theoretical foundations of health education practice.
Health Education Approaches in the Curriculum
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers health education approaches in the curriculum, integrating health education across subjects, curriculum design for health education, and pedagogical approaches.
Participatory Health Education and Community Mobilisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines participatory health education methods, community mobilisation strategies, community engagement, and facilitating community health education initiatives.
Health Education Programmes
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers health education programme design, programme implementation, programme management, and evaluating health education programmes.
Health, Education and Gender Issues
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines gender issues in health education, gender-sensitive health promotion, addressing gender-based health disparities, and gender-responsive health education.
Public Health Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers public health education, health promotion in communities, disease prevention education, and public health campaign design and implementation.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a health education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and health education theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

School Health Education
Focuses on health education in schools, school health curriculum development, school health programmes, and promoting health literacy among school-age children.
Public Health Education
Examines public health education, health promotion in communities, public health campaigns, disease prevention education, and community health education strategies.
Community Health Mobilisation
Covers participatory health education, community mobilisation methods, community-based health promotion, and engaging communities in health education initiatives.
Health Education Curriculum Development
Focuses on curriculum development for health education, designing health education learning materials, and integrating health education across the curriculum.
Gender and Health Education
Examines gender issues in health education, gender-sensitive health promotion, addressing gender-based health disparities, and designing gender-responsive health education.
Health Programme Management
Covers health education programme design, programme management, monitoring and evaluation of health programmes, and health project planning.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Focuses on health promotion strategies, disease prevention education, lifestyle disease prevention, and designing health promotion interventions.
Health Education Research
Examines research methods in health education, evaluating health education interventions, health behaviour research, and evidence-based health education practice.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on health education theory, curriculum approaches for health education, or participatory health education methods. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing case studies of health education programmes, community health interventions, and school health initiatives. Group projects involve designing health education programmes, developing health education curricula, or planning community health mobilisation campaigns. Research methodology and statistics sessions prepare students for their thesis, with practical training in health education research methods. The programme includes participatory health education practicals, where students engage with community health education contexts. Guest lectures from Ministry of Health officials, public health practitioners, AMREF trainers, and international health education experts provide real-world insights. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent research on health education topics, working under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses Kenya's pressing health challenges and growing emphasis on preventive health and health promotion.
Programme combines health education theory with participatory community methods, providing both theoretical and practical expertise.
Graduates can pursue careers in schools, health institutions, government, NGOs, and international health organisations.
Programme aligns with WHO health education guidelines and connects students with health sector organisations like AMREF and Kenya Red Cross.

Against it

Programme is offered at only three public universities, limiting geographic access for prospective students.
No private university offers this programme, limiting options for students preferring private institution environments.
Kenyatta University fees of KES 246,000 per year are relatively high compared to other public universities.
Specialised nature of the programme may limit career flexibility compared to broader MEd specialisations.

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 246k

187k at Moi 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 M.Ed 246K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi ~187K/yr. Kabarak 165K, AIU 191K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC may grant study leave with sponsorship for teachers pursuing postgraduate education. WHO, AMREF, and other health organisations may sponsor health workers for health education training. The programme's health focus attracts health sector funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
WHO/AMREF Health Education Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 246,000Kenyan
TSC-employed teachers may be granted study leave with sponsorship for postgraduate education in health education.
WHO/AMREF Health Education Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
WHO, AMREF, and other health organisations may sponsor health workers and educators for specialised training in health education.

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, DSVOL, and CEP modes. Students can choose between thesis (minimum 10 units) or project (minimum 14 units) options. Designed for teachers, health educators, public health workers, and education managers seeking health education expertise.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, health education programme design exercises, curriculum development assignments, community health analysis, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Practical Projects
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving health education programme design, community health needs assessment, health education material development, and participatory health education exercises.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering health education theory, curriculum approaches, programme design, and public health education, including essay questions and case analysis.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project on a health education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and health education theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Karatina University, and Kenyatta University are all CUE-accredited public universities. The programme aligns with Ministry of Health health promotion standards and WHO health education guidelines.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Karatina University, and Kenyatta University are all CUE-accredited public universities.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Professional standards
WHO provides global standards for health education and health promotion. The programme aligns with WHO health education guidelines and competencies for health educators.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Health Education Teacher
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches health education in schools, developing health education curricula, promoting health literacy, and coordinating school health programmes.
Public Health Educator
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs and implements public health education programmes for government, NGOs, or international organisations, promoting health awareness and disease prevention.
Health Promotion Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Develops and implements health promotion initiatives for health institutions, government, or NGOs, designing campaigns and health promotion interventions.
Community Health Educator
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 280,000
Works with communities to promote health awareness, conducting community health education, facilitating participatory health initiatives, and supporting community health programmes.
School Health Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Coordinates school health programmes, overseeing health education delivery, school health services, and health promotion activities in educational institutions.
Health Education Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides consulting services on health education programme design, curriculum development, and health promotion strategy for schools, NGOs, or international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as health education teachers, public health educators, health promotion officers, and community health educators in schools, health institutions, government, NGOs, and international health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for health education research, including survey data analysis, health behaviour research, and programme evaluation.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, focus group discussions, and qualitative research in health education studies.
EpiInfo
Software
Public health software for epidemiological analysis, health data management, and health education programme monitoring.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Software
Presentation software widely used for health education presentations, health promotion campaigns, and community health education materials.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Health education is just about teaching hygiene and nutrition.
The programme covers comprehensive health education theory, public health education, participatory methods, gender issues, programme design, and research, addressing complex health challenges beyond basic hygiene.
This programme is only for school teachers.
Graduates work in schools, health institutions, government, NGOs, and international health organisations, applying health education expertise across diverse settings.
Health education has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's health challenges, growing public health awareness, and emphasis on preventive health create strong demand for qualified health education professionals.
You need a health sciences background to study health education.
The programme accepts education professionals from diverse backgrounds, developing health education knowledge from foundational levels for both education and health sector professionals.
Health education is the same as public health.
While related, health education focuses specifically on educational approaches to health promotion, curriculum development, and learning, while public health covers broader population health management.
Community mobilisation is just about organising health campaigns.
Participatory health education and community mobilisation involves systematic community engagement, needs assessment, capacity building, and sustainable behaviour change strategies.