Education

Master of Education in Philosophy of Education

The Master of Education in Philosophy of Education is a specialised postgraduate programme that equips education professionals with advanced knowledge of philosophical foundations of education, educational theory, and the philosophical dimensions of educational practice. The programme prepares graduates to critically analyse educational issues, policies, and practices through philosophical inquiry.

Core areas of study include philosophy of education theory, educational epistemology, ethics and values in education, philosophy of educational research, African philosophy of education, comparative philosophy of education, contemporary themes in education, educational research methods, and research thesis. Students engage with both classical and contemporary philosophical perspectives on education and their implications for practice.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University, with Kenyatta University, Maasai Mara University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, and Moi University listed as colleges. Kenyatta University offers the programme through its Department of Educational Foundations.

Students develop competencies in philosophical analysis, critical thinking, ethical reasoning in education, educational theory development, African philosophical perspectives, comparative philosophical analysis, research methodology, and academic writing. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a thesis or project option, with thesis students taking minimum 10 units and project students minimum 14 units.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time, part-time, modular, open and distance, e-learning, and blended modes available. The programme is designed for teachers, education officers, curriculum developers, and education researchers seeking philosophical depth in educational understanding.

Graduates pursue careers as education researchers, curriculum developers, education policy analysts, philosophy teachers, university lecturers, and educational consultants in schools, universities, government education departments, research institutions, and educational organisations.

Skills Required

Philosophical Analysis in Education
Educational Theory and Epistemology
Ethical Reasoning in Educational Practice
African Philosophy of Education
Critical Thinking and Argumentation
Comparative Philosophical Analysis
Educational Policy Analysis through Philosophical Lenses
Research Methods in Philosophy of Education
Academic Writing and Philosophical Scholarship
Values and Ethics in Education

Key Subjects

Philosophy of Education Theory
Educational Epistemology
Ethics and Values in Education
African Philosophy of Education
Comparative Philosophy of Education
Philosophy of Educational Research
Philosophy of Curriculum
Contemporary Themes in Education
Educational Research Methods
Research Thesis

Certifications

INPE Professional Membership
Philosophy of Education Society Membership

Specializations

Educational Epistemology

Focuses on theories of knowledge in education, epistemological foundations of teaching and learning, and how knowledge is constructed, validated, and transmitted in educational contexts.

Ethics and Values in Education

Examines ethical dimensions of education, moral education, values education, professional ethics for educators, and ethical decision-making in educational practice.

African Philosophy of Education

Covers African philosophical perspectives on education, indigenous educational philosophy, Ubuntu philosophy in education, and decolonising educational thought.

Philosophy of Educational Research

Focuses on philosophical foundations of educational research, research paradigms, epistemology and methodology, and the philosophy of science in educational inquiry.

Comparative Philosophy of Education

Examines comparative philosophical approaches to education, comparing educational philosophies across cultures and traditions, and cross-cultural philosophical dialogue.

Philosophy of Curriculum

Covers philosophical foundations of curriculum, curriculum theory, ideological dimensions of curriculum, and philosophical analysis of curriculum content and design.

Political Philosophy of Education

Focuses on political philosophy applied to education, education and democracy, social justice in education, and the political dimensions of educational policy and practice.

Philosophy of Educational Technology

Examines philosophical implications of educational technology, technology and human learning, digital ethics in education, and philosophical critique of technology in education.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 246,000
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Modular, Blended, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 12 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Philosophy of Education Theory
Educational Epistemology
Ethics and Values in Education
African Philosophy of Education
Comparative Philosophy of Education
Philosophy of Educational Research
Philosophy of Curriculum
Contemporary Themes in Education
Educational Research Methods
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 philosophy of education, including philosophical research methods.
Educational Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods for educational research, data analysis techniques, and quantitative approaches complementing philosophical research in education.
Contemporary Themes in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers contemporary themes and issues in education, examining their philosophical dimensions and implications for educational theory and practice.
Philosophy of Education Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major philosophical theories of education, classical and contemporary educational philosophers, and theoretical foundations of educational practice.
Educational Epistemology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers theories of knowledge in education, epistemological foundations of teaching and learning, and how knowledge is constructed and validated in education.
Ethics and Values in Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines ethical dimensions of education, moral education, values education, professional ethics for educators, and ethical decision-making in educational practice.
African Philosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers African philosophical perspectives on education, indigenous educational philosophy, Ubuntu philosophy in education, and decolonising educational thought.
Comparative Philosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines comparative philosophical approaches to education, comparing educational philosophies across cultures and traditions, and cross-cultural philosophical dialogue.
Philosophy of Educational Research
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers philosophical foundations of educational research, research paradigms, epistemology and methodology, and the philosophy of science in educational inquiry.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore
Original philosophical research thesis on a philosophy of education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and philosophical analysis, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Educational Epistemology
Focuses on theories of knowledge in education, epistemological foundations of teaching and learning, and how knowledge is constructed, validated, and transmitted in educational contexts.
Ethics and Values in Education
Examines ethical dimensions of education, moral education, values education, professional ethics for educators, and ethical decision-making in educational practice.
African Philosophy of Education
Covers African philosophical perspectives on education, indigenous educational philosophy, Ubuntu philosophy in education, and decolonising educational thought.
Philosophy of Educational Research
Focuses on philosophical foundations of educational research, research paradigms, epistemology and methodology, and the philosophy of science in educational inquiry.
Comparative Philosophy of Education
Examines comparative philosophical approaches to education, comparing educational philosophies across cultures and traditions, and cross-cultural philosophical dialogue.
Philosophy of Curriculum
Covers philosophical foundations of curriculum, curriculum theory, ideological dimensions of curriculum, and philosophical analysis of curriculum content and design.
Political Philosophy of Education
Focuses on political philosophy applied to education, education and democracy, social justice in education, and the political dimensions of educational policy and practice.
Philosophy of Educational Technology
Examines philosophical implications of educational technology, technology and human learning, digital ethics in education, and philosophical critique of technology in education.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on philosophy of education theory, educational epistemology, or African philosophy of education. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing philosophical texts, debating ethical dilemmas in education, and examining the philosophical foundations of educational policies and practices. Group projects involve philosophical analysis of educational issues, developing philosophical arguments, or comparing educational philosophies across cultures. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, with practical training in philosophical research methods and argumentation. The programme includes close reading of philosophical texts, from classical educational philosophers to contemporary African philosophical perspectives. Guest lectures from visiting philosophers, education theorists, and international scholars provide diverse philosophical perspectives on education. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent philosophical research on education topics, working under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme develops deep philosophical understanding of education, essential for informed policy-making, ethical practice, and critical engagement with educational issues.
Programme includes African philosophy of education, contributing to decolonisation of educational thought and culturally responsive education in Kenya.
Programme develops critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and argumentation skills valuable across diverse professional contexts.
Multiple delivery modes including modular, ODeL, e-learning, and blended, providing flexible study options.

Against it

Programme is offered at only three public universities, limiting geographic access for prospective students.
Job market demand is relatively low compared to more practically oriented MEd specialisations.
No private university offers this programme, limiting options for students preferring private institution environments.
Specialised philosophical nature 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 246K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum). 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. Research grants may be available from philosophical associations or international research bodies for philosophical research in education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
Research Grants for Philosophical Research

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 philosophy of education.
Philosophical Research Grants
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
Research grants may be available from philosophical associations or international research bodies for philosophical research in 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, modular, ODeL, e-learning, and blended modes. Students can choose between thesis (minimum 10 units) or project (minimum 14 units) options. Designed for teachers, education officers, curriculum developers, and education researchers seeking philosophical depth.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, philosophical analysis essays, argument analysis exercises, text analysis assignments, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Research Papers
Practical20% of the mark
Philosophical research papers involving textual analysis, philosophical argumentation, comparative philosophical analysis, and critical engagement with educational theories.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering philosophy of education theory, epistemology, ethics, and African philosophy, including essay questions and philosophical analysis.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original philosophical research thesis or project on a philosophy of education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and philosophical analysis, 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 contributes to the philosophical foundations of educational practice in Kenya.

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.
International Network of Philosophers of Education (INPE)
Professional standards
INPE provides global standards and networking for philosophers of education. Graduates may pursue INPE professional membership for recognition in the field.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Education Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts philosophical and educational research for research institutions, universities, or international organisations, producing evidence-based insights on educational theory and practice.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 320,000
Develops educational curricula with philosophical grounding for KICD, schools, or educational publishers, ensuring curricula reflect sound educational philosophy.
Education Policy Analyst
Low demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Analyses education policy using philosophical perspectives for government, think tanks, or international organisations, providing philosophically informed policy recommendations.
Philosophy Teacher
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches philosophy and philosophy of education in schools, colleges, or universities, applying advanced philosophical knowledge to educational practice.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches and conducts research in philosophy of education or educational foundations at universities, contributing to teacher education and educational scholarship.
Education Consultant
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides consulting services on educational policy, curriculum development, and ethical practice, bringing philosophical perspective to educational improvement.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as education researchers, curriculum developers, philosophy teachers, education policy analysts, and university lecturers in schools, universities, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing philosophical texts, interview data, and qualitative research in philosophy of education studies.
Zotero
SoftwarePrimary
Reference management software for philosophical research, managing citations, bibliographies, and sources in philosophy of education scholarship.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for quantitative aspects of educational research complementing philosophical inquiry.
Microsoft Word
Software
Word processing software for academic writing, philosophical scholarship, and producing research papers and thesis in philosophy of education.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Philosophy of education is just abstract thinking with no practical application.
The programme develops critical analytical skills that directly inform educational policy, curriculum design, ethical practice, and evidence-based educational decision-making.
This programme has no career prospects.
Graduates work as researchers, curriculum developers, policy analysts, and university lecturers, applying philosophical understanding to education development and practice.
Philosophy of education is irrelevant in the age of technology and skills.
Philosophical inquiry is essential for addressing ethical implications of technology in education, questions of values and purposes, and ensuring education serves human flourishing.
This programme is only for philosophy teachers.
Graduates include education researchers, policy analysts, curriculum developers, and administrators, applying philosophical perspective across diverse education roles.
African philosophy of education has no place in modern universities.
African philosophical perspectives are essential for decolonising education, developing culturally responsive curricula, and ensuring education serves African contexts and values.
Philosophical research in education is purely theoretical.
Philosophical research involves rigorous analysis, argumentation, and engagement with real educational problems, producing insights that directly inform practice and policy.