Education

Master of Education Pedagogy

The Master of Education (Pedagogy) is a postgraduate programme that focuses on the theory and practice of teaching, examining instructional strategies, learning theories, and pedagogical approaches across educational contexts. The programme combines pedagogical theory with practical teaching application.

Core areas include pedagogical theory, instructional design, teaching and learning theories, curriculum implementation, assessment for learning, reflective practice, educational research methods, and thesis research. Students engage with both the science and art of teaching.

The programme is offered by Maseno University, Mount Kenya University, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. Both public and private universities offer the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes.

Students develop competencies in pedagogical analysis, instructional design, teaching strategy development, assessment design, reflective practice, and educational research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and thesis research.

Mount Kenya University charges KES 90,000/semester (total KES 360,000, approximately KES 180,000/year). Maseno University and JOOUST fees are not independently verified but Maseno's postgraduate fees generally range around KES 200,000 to KES 300,000 per year. Entry requires a Bachelor of Education degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or equivalent.

Graduates pursue careers as master teachers, instructional coaches, teacher educators, curriculum implementers, pedagogical consultants, and education researchers in schools, colleges, universities, and educational organisations.

Skills Required

Pedagogical Theory and Analysis
Instructional Design
Teaching and Learning Theories
Curriculum Implementation
Assessment for Learning
Reflective Teaching Practice
Educational Research Methods
Differentiated Instruction
Pedagogical Innovation
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Pedagogical Theory
Instructional Design
Teaching and Learning Theories
Curriculum Implementation
Assessment for Learning
Reflective Practice
Educational Research Methods
Differentiated Instruction
Pedagogical Innovation
Thesis Research

Certifications

TSC Teacher Registration
Kenya Education Management Institute Pedagogy Certification

Specializations

Instructional Design

Focuses on designing effective instruction, examining instructional models, learning sequences, and pedagogical frameworks for different educational contexts.

Teaching and Learning Theories

Examines cognitive, constructivist, behaviourist, and social learning theories and their application to teaching practice.

Assessment for Learning

Covers formative and summative assessment strategies, designing effective assessments, and using assessment data to improve teaching and learning.

Reflective Practice

Focuses on developing reflective teaching skills, examining practice, and using reflection to improve pedagogical effectiveness.

Pedagogical Innovation

Examines innovative teaching approaches, including technology-enhanced learning, active learning strategies, and contemporary pedagogical developments.

Differentiated Instruction

Covers adapting teaching to diverse learner needs, examining differentiation strategies and inclusive pedagogical approaches.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 150,000
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, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Pedagogical Theory
Instructional Design
Teaching and Learning Theories
Curriculum Implementation
Assessment for Learning
Reflective Practice
Educational Research Methods
Differentiated Instruction
Pedagogical Innovation
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Pedagogy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines classical and contemporary pedagogical theories, including cognitive, constructivist, behaviourist, and social learning theories and their application to teaching.
Instructional Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers designing effective instruction, examining instructional models, learning sequences, and pedagogical frameworks for different educational contexts.
Teaching and Learning Theories
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines cognitive, constructivist, behaviourist, and social learning theories in depth and their practical application to teaching practice.
Educational Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting pedagogical research, preparing students for their thesis.
Assessment for Learning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines formative and summative assessment strategies, designing effective assessments, and using assessment data to improve teaching and learning.
Curriculum Implementation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers implementing curricula in educational settings, examining the relationship between curriculum design and pedagogical practice.
Reflective Teaching Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops reflective teaching skills, examining practice, using reflection to improve pedagogical effectiveness, and developing professional learning.
Differentiated Instruction
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers adapting teaching to diverse learner needs, examining differentiation strategies and inclusive pedagogical approaches.
Pedagogical Innovation and Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines innovative teaching approaches, including technology-enhanced learning, active learning strategies, and contemporary pedagogical developments.
Contemporary Issues in Pedagogy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers current trends, challenges, and developments in pedagogy, including competency-based education, learner-centred approaches, and global pedagogical trends.
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 pedagogy topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Instructional Design
Focuses on designing effective instruction, examining instructional models, learning sequences, and pedagogical frameworks for different educational contexts.
Teaching and Learning Theories
Examines cognitive, constructivist, behaviourist, and social learning theories and their application to teaching practice.
Assessment for Learning
Covers formative and summative assessment strategies, designing effective assessments, and using assessment data to improve teaching and learning.
Reflective Practice
Focuses on developing reflective teaching skills, examining practice, and using reflection to improve pedagogical effectiveness.
Pedagogical Innovation
Examines innovative teaching approaches, including technology-enhanced learning, active learning strategies, and contemporary pedagogical developments.
Differentiated Instruction
Covers adapting teaching to diverse learner needs, examining differentiation strategies and inclusive pedagogical approaches.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Ed. (Pedagogy) programme combines lectures, teaching demonstrations, seminars, reflective practice sessions, and independent study. Sessions cover pedagogical theory, instructional design, assessment, and reflective practice. Pedagogical theory sessions examine classical and contemporary teaching and learning theories, including cognitive, constructivist, behaviourist, and social learning approaches. Instructional design sessions cover designing effective instruction, examining instructional models, learning sequences, and pedagogical frameworks. Assessment sessions examine formative and summative assessment strategies, designing effective assessments, and using assessment data to improve teaching. Reflective practice sessions develop skills in examining teaching practice, using reflection to improve pedagogical effectiveness, and developing professional learning. Differentiated instruction sessions cover adapting teaching to diverse learner needs and inclusive pedagogical approaches. Pedagogical innovation sessions examine innovative teaching approaches, including technology-enhanced learning and active learning strategies. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Teaching demonstrations provide opportunities to practice and receive feedback on teaching strategies. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in pedagogy and sharing teaching experiences. Peer observation and micro-teaching sessions develop practical teaching skills through structured feedback. Guest lectures from experienced educators and pedagogy experts provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a pedagogy topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme directly focuses on improving teaching practice, making it highly practical and relevant for classroom teachers and educators.
Offered by both public and private universities with flexible study modes including digital learning.
Covers modern pedagogical approaches including technology-enhanced learning and pedagogical innovation.
Develops transferable skills in instructional design, assessment, and reflective practice applicable across education and training contexts.

Against it

Fee data for Maseno University and JOOUST not independently verified, limiting public institution cost comparison.
Pedagogy is sometimes perceived as less prestigious than subject-specific or management-focused M.Ed. specialisations.
Limited number of universities offering this specific programme compared to more common M.Ed. specialisations.
Programme may overlap with curriculum studies and instructional methods programmes, causing confusion for prospective students.

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

Public94k to 150k

94k at The Open University of Kenya150k at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology

Private119k to 191k

119k at Mount Kenya 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

OUK 93.8K/yr (ouk.ac.ke). JOOUST 150K/yr (eafinder.com). MKU 119K, AIU 191K/yr (aiu.ac.ke).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC supports teacher professional development. KEMI may provide training support for education professionals pursuing pedagogy qualifications.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Teacher Professional Development
KEMI Training 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 pedagogy qualifications.
KEMI Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenya Education Management Institute supports training and professional development for education professionals pursuing postgraduate qualifications.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require a Bachelor of Education degree with Upper Second Class Honours, or Lower Second Division with relevant teaching experience. A Postgraduate Diploma in Education may also be accepted. 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, teaching demonstrations, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering pedagogical theory, instructional design, assessment strategies, and teaching and learning theories.
Practical Teaching Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through teaching demonstrations, micro-teaching, peer observation, and applying pedagogical theory to real teaching scenarios.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a pedagogy 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). Maseno University and JOOUST (public) and Mount Kenya University (private) offer M.Ed. in Pedagogy. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate pedagogy training. Graduates are eligible for TSC registration.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Maseno University and JOOUST (public) and Mount Kenya University (private) offer M.Ed. in Pedagogy. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate pedagogy training. Graduates are eligible for TSC registration.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Master Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Demonstrates advanced teaching practice in schools, serving as a model teacher and supporting colleagues in improving pedagogical practice.
Instructional Coach
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Coaches teachers on instructional strategies, overseeing professional development, classroom observation, and supporting improved teaching practice.
Teacher Educator
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Educates future teachers at university or college level, overseeing teacher preparation, pedagogy instruction, and teaching practice supervision.
Curriculum Implementer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Implements curricula in educational settings, overseeing curriculum roll-out, teacher support, and ensuring effective pedagogical implementation.
Pedagogical Consultant
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consults on pedagogical matters, providing advisory services, training, and support for schools, organisations, and education programmes.
Education Researcher
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts research on teaching and learning, overseeing research projects, publishing findings, and contributing to pedagogical knowledge.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for pedagogical research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.
Microsoft Teams for Education
Software
Educational platform for teaching, collaboration, and learning management, supporting pedagogical practice and instructional delivery.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Software
Presentation software for teaching demonstrations, conference presentations, training sessions, and communicating pedagogical content.
Microsoft Word
Software
Word processing software for research papers, thesis writing, instructional materials, and producing academic and educational documents.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Pedagogy is just about knowing how to teach.
Pedagogy is a rigorous academic field combining learning theory, instructional design, assessment science, and research, requiring systematic postgraduate study.
Experienced teachers do not need to study pedagogy at postgraduate level.
Postgraduate pedagogy study develops advanced theoretical understanding, research skills, and innovative practices that enhance even experienced teachers' effectiveness.
This programme is the same as curriculum studies.
While related, pedagogy focuses on the act of teaching and learning processes, while curriculum studies focuses on what is taught and curriculum design.
Pedagogy qualifications only lead to classroom teaching.
Graduates work as instructional coaches, teacher educators, consultants, researchers, and education leaders in various settings beyond classroom teaching.
Pedagogy is outdated in the age of digital learning.
Pedagogy is evolving with technology, and the programme covers digital pedagogy, technology-enhanced learning, and innovative teaching approaches for modern educational contexts.
Only teachers benefit from studying pedagogy.
Pedagogical knowledge is valuable for anyone involved in education, training, instructional design, or learning facilitation in any professional context.