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Environmental Science

Master of Environmental Studies and Community Development

<p>The Master of Environmental Studies and Community Development is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice at the intersection of environmental management and community development. The programme combines environmental science with community development theory and participatory practice.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 295,800
Ksh 591,600 total
Private tuition
Ksh 249,800
Ksh 499,600 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 295,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 591,600 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 249,800 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, online, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Core areas include environment and development, community development theory, environmental impact assessment, natural resource management, climate change, participatory development, environmental research methods, and thesis research. Students engage with both environmental science and socio-economic dimensions of community development.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University and Pwani University. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time, part-time, open learning, and distance learning modes.

Students develop competencies in environmental management, community development planning, participatory approaches, natural resource management, climate change adaptation, 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 (approximately KES 152,700/year). Pwani University fee data is not independently verified from official sources. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Community Development, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as community development officers, environmental officers, NGO programme coordinators, natural resource managers, environmental consultants, and lecturers in environmental studies and community development.

Skills Required

  • Environmental Management
  • Community Development Planning
  • Participatory Development Approaches
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Climate Change Adaptation
  • Project Planning and Management
  • Environmental Research Methods
  • Community Engagement and Mobilisation
  • Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

  • Environment and Development
  • Community Development Theory
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Climate Change and Adaptation
  • Participatory Development
  • Environmental Research Methods
  • Sustainable Development
  • Environmental Policy and Governance
  • Thesis Research

Certifications

  • NEMA EIA/EA Lead Expert Certification
  • IUCN Professional Membership

Specializations

Community Development

Focuses on community development theory and practice, covering community mobilisation, participatory development, and sustainable community projects.

Environmental Management

Examines environmental management principles and practice, covering environmental assessment, pollution control, and environmental planning.

Climate Change and Adaptation

Covers climate change science, impacts, and adaptation strategies for communities, covering vulnerability assessment and resilience building.

Participatory Natural Resource Management

Focuses on participatory approaches to natural resource management, covering community-based management, benefit sharing, and governance.

Sustainable Development

Examines sustainable development principles and practice, covering sustainability frameworks, SDGs, and balancing environment and development.

Environmental Policy and Governance

Covers environmental policy development and governance, covering policy analysis, environmental law, and institutional frameworks.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Environment and Development
  • Community Development Theory
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Climate Change and Adaptation
  • Participatory Development
  • Environmental Research Methods
  • Sustainable Development
  • Environmental Policy and Governance
  • Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Environment and Development

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines the relationship between environmental management and socio-economic development, covering sustainable development frameworks and environment-development linkages.

  • Community Development Theory and Practice

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers community development theory, community mobilisation, participatory development, and sustainable community project design.

  • Environmental Impact Assessment

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines EIA processes, methodologies, environmental audits, and environmental compliance for development projects.

  • Environmental Research Methods

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting environmental and community development 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.

  • Climate Change and Community Adaptation

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers climate change science, impacts on communities, vulnerability assessment, and community-based adaptation strategies.

  • Participatory Development Approaches

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines participatory tools and approaches for community engagement, covering PRA, PLA, community facilitation, and participatory planning.

  • Sustainable Development and SDGs

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers sustainable development principles, SDGs, and balancing environmental, social, and economic dimensions of development.

  • Environmental Policy and Governance

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines environmental policy development, environmental law, governance structures, and institutional frameworks for environmental management.

  • Project Planning and Management for Community Development

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers planning and managing community development projects, including project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

  • Research Seminar

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Preparation of research proposal and presentation of critique papers in areas related to environmental studies and community development.

  • Research Thesis

    Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore

    Original field research thesis on an environmental studies and community development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

  • Community Development

    Focuses on community development theory and practice, covering community mobilisation, participatory development, and sustainable community projects.

  • Environmental Management

    Examines environmental management principles and practice, covering environmental assessment, pollution control, and environmental planning.

  • Climate Change and Adaptation

    Covers climate change science, impacts, and adaptation strategies for communities, covering vulnerability assessment and resilience building.

  • Participatory Natural Resource Management

    Focuses on participatory approaches to natural resource management, covering community-based management, benefit sharing, and governance.

  • Sustainable Development

    Examines sustainable development principles and practice, covering sustainability frameworks, SDGs, and balancing environment and development.

  • Environmental Policy and Governance

    Covers environmental policy development and governance, covering policy analysis, environmental law, and institutional frameworks.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Env.Studies and Community Development programme combines lectures, field practicals, community engagement, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover environmental management, community development, participatory approaches, and natural resources. Environment and development sessions examine the relationship between environmental management and socio-economic development. Community development sessions cover community development theory, community mobilisation, and participatory development approaches. Environmental impact assessment sessions cover EIA processes, methodologies, and environmental compliance. Natural resource management sessions cover resource assessment, management planning, and community-based resource management. Climate change sessions examine climate science, impacts, vulnerability assessment, and adaptation strategies. Participatory development sessions cover participatory tools, community engagement, and facilitating community processes. Sustainable development sessions cover sustainability frameworks, SDGs, and balancing environment and development. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Field practicals provide hands-on experience with environmental assessment, community engagement, and development projects. Community engagement involves working with communities on real environmental and development challenges. Seminars require students to present critique papers on environmental and community development topics. The programme culminates in field research and a thesis on an environmental studies and community development topic.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Programme uniquely integrates environmental science with community development, addressing the interconnected challenges of environment and community wellbeing.Pwani University fee data not independently verified, limiting cost comparison between institutions.
Strong career prospects in government, NGOs, international organisations, and private sector for environmental and community development professionals.Only two public universities offer this programme, limiting institutional choice.
Programme includes field research and community engagement providing hands-on experience with real environmental and development challenges.Programme requires extensive fieldwork and community engagement which may be logistically challenging.
Kenyatta University offers affordable fees (~KES 152,700/year) for East Africans.Programme may overlap with broader environmental science and rural development 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 181 environmental science courses
Public187k to 296k
187k at Moi University296k at Kenyatta University
Private131k to 250k
131k at Mount Kenya University250k at Daystar 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 295,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi 187K. Daystar 250K, MKU 131K/yr.

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

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • NEMA Training Support

  • IUCN Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.

  • NEMA Training Support

    ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan

    NEMA supports training and professional development for environmental management professionals in Kenya.

  • IUCN Research Support

    GrantKsh 300,000

    IUCN provides research support and small grants for conservation and community development research.

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
N/A (Postgraduate)minimum entry
Alternative entry

Kenyatta University requires a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Community Development, 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. Pwani University requires a Bachelor's degree in community development or equivalent. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Chuka University, Egerton University, Pwani University.

May 20274 institutions

Including Chuka University, Egerton University, Pwani University.

September 20274 institutions

Including Chuka University, Egerton University, Pwani University.

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 environmental management, community development, natural resource management, and climate change.

  • Field Practical and Seminar Assessment

    Practical30% of the mark

    Practical assessment through field work, community engagement exercises, environmental assessment, and seminar presentations of critique papers.

  • Research Thesis

    Research100% of the mark

    Original field research thesis on an environmental studies and community development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and Pwani University (both public) offer M.Env.Studies and Community Development. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate environmental studies and community development training. Graduates are eligible for NEMA EIA/EA Lead Expert certification.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University and Pwani University (both public) offer M.Env.Studies and Community Development. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate environmental studies and community development 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

  • Community Development Officer

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Designs and implements community development programmes, overseeing community mobilisation, project implementation, and participatory development.

  • Environmental Officer

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Manages environmental compliance and conservation in organisations, overseeing environmental assessment, monitoring, and environmental management.

  • NGO Programme Coordinator

    Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Coordinates environmental and community development programmes in NGOs, overseeing programme design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

  • 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.

  • Environmental Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Consults on environmental and community development matters, providing advisory services, EIA, and support for development projects.

  • Environmental Studies Lecturer

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaches environmental studies and community development at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as community development officers, environmental officers, NGO programme coordinators, natural resource managers, environmental consultants, and lecturers in environmental studies and community development.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • GIS Software

    SoftwarePrimary

    Geographic Information System software for spatial analysis, environmental mapping, community resource mapping, and land use planning.

  • SPSS

    Software

    Statistical analysis software for environmental and community development research, data analysis, and analysing research data for thesis.

  • NVivo

    Software

    Qualitative data analysis software for analysing community interviews, focus group data, and participatory research data.

  • Google Earth Engine

    Software

    Cloud-based platform for geospatial analysis, environmental monitoring, and land use change detection using satellite imagery.

Common misconceptions

  • Community development is just about helping poor communities.

    Community development is a professional discipline involving participatory approaches, capacity building, sustainable development, and environmental management, not just charity.

  • Environmental studies and community development are unrelated fields.

    Environmental management and community development are deeply interconnected, as communities depend on natural resources and environmental quality affects community wellbeing.

  • This programme is only for NGO workers.

    Graduates work in government, NGOs, private sector, international organisations, and academia, applying environmental and community development skills across sectors.

  • Community development does not need postgraduate study.

    Effective community development requires theoretical knowledge, participatory skills, research methods, and environmental understanding developed through postgraduate study.

  • Environmental studies is purely scientific with no social dimension.

    This programme specifically integrates environmental science with community development, emphasising the social and participatory dimensions of environmental management.

  • Climate change adaptation is only for scientists.

    Climate change adaptation requires community engagement, participatory planning, and social science skills, making this programme highly relevant.

Further reading

Read next