Agriculture

Master of Environmental Studies (Agroforestry and Rural Development)

The Master of Environmental Studies (Agroforestry and Rural Development) is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in agroforestry, environmental management, and rural development. The programme combines environmental science with agroforestry systems and rural development practice.

Core areas include agroforestry systems, environmental impact assessment, rural development theory, natural resource management, agricultural systems and climate, forest resources, water resource management, environmental research methods, and thesis research. Students engage with both environmental science and socio-economic dimensions of rural development.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University through its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. It is a full-time programme extending over at least eighteen months, delivered through face-to-face, open learning, and distance learning modes.

Students develop competencies in agroforestry system design, environmental impact assessment, rural development planning, natural resource management, climate-smart agriculture, and environmental research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, field research, seminars, and thesis.

Kenyatta University charges KES 130,000 tuition plus KES 22,700 statutory fees (approximately KES 152,700/year) for East Africans. Non-East Africans pay KES 369,750/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Forestry, Agriculture, Biological Sciences, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with two years of relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as agroforestry officers, environmental consultants, rural development specialists, natural resource managers, environmental impact assessors, and lecturers in environmental studies.

Skills Required

Agroforestry System Design
Environmental Impact Assessment
Rural Development Planning
Natural Resource Management
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Forest Resource Management
Water Resource Management
Environmental Research Methods
Community-Based Natural Resource Management
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Agroforestry Systems
Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit
Rural Economic Development and Gender Issues
Natural Resource Management
Agricultural Systems and Climatic Responses
Forest Resources and Development
Water Resource Management
Cropping Systems
Environmental Research Methods
Thesis Research

Certifications

NEMA EIA/EA Lead Expert Certification
KEFRI Agroforestry Certification

Specializations

Agroforestry Systems

Focuses on designing and managing agroforestry systems, covering tree-crop interactions, system design, and agroforestry for food security.

Rural Development

Examines rural development theory and practice, covering community development, rural livelihoods, and participatory development approaches.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Covers conducting environmental impact assessments and audits, covering EIA processes, methodologies, and environmental compliance.

Natural Resource Management

Focuses on managing natural resources sustainably, covering resource assessment, management planning, and community-based resource management.

Climate-Smart Agriculture

Examines agricultural systems and climatic responses, covering climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilient agricultural practices.

Forest Resources and Development

Covers managing forest resources, covering forest management, conservation, and forest-based rural development.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 152,700
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Agroforestry Systems
Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit
Rural Economic Development and Gender Issues
Natural Resource Management
Agricultural Systems and Climatic Responses
Forest Resources and Development
Water Resource Management
Cropping Systems
Environmental Research Methods
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Agroforestry Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines agroforestry system design, tree-crop interactions, and agroforestry for food security and environmental conservation.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers EIA processes, methodologies, environmental audits, and environmental compliance in development projects.
Rural Economic Development and Gender Issues
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines rural economic development theory, community development, gender issues, and participatory development approaches.
Environmental Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting environmental research, preparing students for their thesis.
Natural Resource Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines managing natural resources sustainably, covering resource assessment, management planning, and community-based resource management.
Agricultural Systems and Climatic Responses
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers agricultural systems, cropping systems, climate responses, and climate-smart agriculture practices.
Forest Resources and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines managing forest resources, covering forest management, conservation, and forest-based rural development.
Water Resource Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers water resource management, conservation, watershed management, and water for agricultural and rural development.
Modelling and Simulation in Environmental Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines modelling and simulation techniques for environmental systems, covering environmental modelling, data analysis, and prediction.
Community-Based Natural Resource Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers community-based approaches to natural resource management, examining participatory management, community institutions, and benefit sharing.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal and presentation of critique papers in areas related to agroforestry and rural development.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Original field research thesis on an agroforestry and rural development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Agroforestry Systems
Focuses on designing and managing agroforestry systems, covering tree-crop interactions, system design, and agroforestry for food security.
Rural Development
Examines rural development theory and practice, covering community development, rural livelihoods, and participatory development approaches.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Covers conducting environmental impact assessments and audits, covering EIA processes, methodologies, and environmental compliance.
Natural Resource Management
Focuses on managing natural resources sustainably, covering resource assessment, management planning, and community-based resource management.
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Examines agricultural systems and climatic responses, covering climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilient agricultural practices.
Forest Resources and Development
Covers managing forest resources, covering forest management, conservation, and forest-based rural development.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Env.Studies (Agroforestry and Rural Development) programme combines lectures, field practicals, laboratory sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover agroforestry systems, environmental management, rural development, and natural resources. Agroforestry sessions examine tree-crop interactions, system design, and agroforestry for food security and environmental conservation. Environmental impact assessment sessions cover EIA processes, methodologies, and environmental compliance. Rural development sessions examine community development, rural livelihoods, and participatory development approaches. Natural resource management sessions cover resource assessment, management planning, and community-based resource management. Agricultural systems sessions examine cropping systems, climate responses, and climate-smart agriculture. Forest resources sessions cover forest management, conservation, and forest-based rural development. Water resource sessions cover water management, conservation, and watershed management. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Field practicals provide hands-on experience with agroforestry systems, environmental assessment, and rural development projects. Laboratory sessions cover environmental analysis and soil and water testing. Seminars require students to present critique papers on agroforestry and rural development topics. The programme culminates in field research and a thesis on an agroforestry and rural development topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme uniquely combines agroforestry science with rural development, addressing critical challenges of food security, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.
Kenyatta University is a leading institution in environmental studies in Kenya, with established expertise and resources.
Strong career prospects in environmental management, agroforestry, rural development, and natural resource management sectors.
Programme includes field research and practical components providing hands-on experience with real environmental and rural development challenges.

Against it

Only Kenyatta University offers this specific programme, limiting institutional choice.
Programme requires extensive fieldwork which may be logistically challenging for some students.
Fees may be higher than some other M.Env.Studies programmes when including all statutory charges.
Limited specialisation options compared to broader environmental science programmes.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses

Public110k to 153k

110k at Rongo University153k 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 152.7K/yr (kenyaplex.com). Rongo 110K/yr (eafinder.com). UoN LARMAT 152.5K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Private null.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. NEMA may provide training support for environmental professionals. ICRAF and other research organisations may provide research support for agroforestry studies. International development partners may fund environmental and rural development studies.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
NEMA Training Support
ICRAF Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
ICRAF Research Support
GrantKsh 300,000
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) provides research support and opportunities for agroforestry research in Kenya and East Africa.
NEMA Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
NEMA supports training and professional development for environmental management professionals in Kenya.

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 in Environmental Studies, Forestry, Agriculture, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, or related fields with First Class or Upper Second Class Honours. Lower Second Division holders with at least two years of relevant work experience are also considered. Contact the university for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, practical reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering agroforestry systems, environmental management, rural development, and natural resource management.
Field Practical and Seminar Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through field work, environmental assessment exercises, and seminar presentations of critique papers.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original field research thesis on an agroforestry and rural development 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 (public) offers M.Env.Studies (Agroforestry and Rural Development) through its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental studies training. Graduates are eligible for NEMA EIA/EA Lead Expert certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University (public) offers M.Env.Studies (Agroforestry and Rural Development) through its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental studies training. Graduates are eligible for NEMA EIA/EA Lead Expert certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Agroforestry Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Promotes and supports agroforestry practices, overseeing system design, farmer training, and agroforestry project implementation.
Environmental Consultant
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consults on environmental matters, conducting environmental impact assessments, audits, and providing advisory services for development projects.
Rural Development Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs and implements rural development programmes, overseeing community development, livelihoods, and participatory development initiatives.
Natural Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages natural resources sustainably, overseeing resource assessment, management planning, and community-based resource management.
EIA Lead Expert
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts environmental impact assessments and audits, overseeing assessment, reporting, and ensuring environmental compliance for development projects.
Environmental Studies Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches environmental studies and agroforestry at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

GIS Software
SoftwarePrimary
Geographic Information System software for spatial analysis, environmental mapping, land use planning, and natural resource management.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for environmental research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.
R Statistical Software
Software
Open-source statistical computing software for environmental data analysis, modelling, and visualisation in agroforestry and rural development research.
Google Earth Engine
Software
Cloud-based platform for geospatial analysis, environmental monitoring, and land use change detection using satellite imagery.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agroforestry is just about planting trees on farms.
Agroforestry is a complex science involving tree-crop interactions, system design, soil management, biodiversity, and socio-economic considerations, far beyond simply planting trees.
Rural development is just about agriculture.
Rural development covers diverse aspects including infrastructure, health, education, governance, livelihoods, and environmental management, not just agriculture.
Environmental studies has limited career prospects.
Growing environmental challenges and climate change concerns create strong demand for environmental professionals in government, NGOs, private sector, and international organisations.
This programme is only for forestry graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from environmental studies, agriculture, biological sciences, and social sciences, providing interdisciplinary training.
Agroforestry and rural development are outdated fields.
Agroforestry and rural development are critical for climate adaptation, food security, and sustainable development, making them highly relevant contemporary fields.
Environmental studies is purely theoretical.
The programme includes field research, environmental impact assessment practicals, and a thesis that applies theory to real environmental and rural development challenges.