Technology

Master of Management Information Systems

The Master of Management Information Systems is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for managing information systems in organisations. The programme combines information systems knowledge with management and business strategy.

Core areas include information systems management, database management, enterprise systems, IT strategy, business analytics, systems analysis and design, IT project management, information security management, research methods, and thesis or project. Students engage with both technology and management dimensions of information systems.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi, and KCA University. Both public and private universities offer the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes.

Students develop competencies in IS management, enterprise systems, IT strategy, business analytics, systems analysis, IT project management, information security, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, practical projects, and thesis or project.

JKUAT charges KES 508,200 for the 2-year programme (~KES 254,100/year). KCA University offers the programme over 6 trimesters (2 years). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, Business, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as IS managers, IT directors, business analysts, enterprise systems managers, IT project managers, and lecturers in management information systems.

Skills Required

Information Systems Management
Enterprise Systems (ERP)
IT Strategy and Governance
Business Analytics and Intelligence
Systems Analysis and Design
IT Project Management
Database Management
Information Security Management
Research Methods in IS
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Information Systems Management
Enterprise Systems and ERP
IT Strategy and Governance
Business Analytics and Intelligence
Systems Analysis and Design
IT Project Management
Database Management
Information Security Management
Research Methods in IS
Thesis or Project

Certifications

ICT Authority Certification
AIS Professional Membership

Specializations

Enterprise Systems Management

Focuses on managing enterprise systems, covering ERP systems, enterprise architecture, and enterprise system implementation.

Business Analytics

Examines using data and analytics for business decisions, covering business intelligence, data mining, and analytics strategy.

IT Strategy and Governance

Covers IT strategy formulation, IT governance, IT investment, and aligning IT with business strategy.

Information Security Management

Focuses on managing information security in organisations, covering security policy, risk management, and security governance.

Digital Transformation

Examines digital transformation in organisations, covering digital strategy, digital technologies, and managing organisational change.

IT Project Management

Covers managing IT projects, covering project planning, agile methods, project risk management, and project delivery.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 254,100
Private, up to: Ksh 476,250
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Information Systems Management
Enterprise Systems and ERP
IT Strategy and Governance
Business Analytics and Intelligence
Systems Analysis and Design
IT Project Management
Database Management
Information Security Management
Research Methods in IS
Thesis or Project

Modules

12 in the programme

Information Systems Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines managing information systems in organisations, covering IS planning, IS operations, and IS management frameworks.
Enterprise Systems and ERP
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ERP systems, enterprise architecture, enterprise system implementation, and managing enterprise systems.
IT Strategy and Governance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines aligning IT with business strategy, IT governance frameworks, IT investment, and IT strategic planning.
Research Methods in IS
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting IS research, preparing students for their thesis or project.
Business Analytics and Intelligence
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers business intelligence, data mining, analytics tools, and using data and analytics for business decisions.
Systems Analysis and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines systems analysis and design, requirements engineering, system development methodologies, and system modelling.
IT Project Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers IT project planning, agile methods, project risk management, and managing IT project delivery.
Database Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines database design, database administration, data management, and modern database technologies.
Information Security Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers information security policy, risk management, security governance, and managing information security in organisations.
Digital Transformation and Innovation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines digital transformation in organisations, covering digital strategy, digital technologies, and managing organisational change.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal or IS project plan, including design, literature review, methodology, and presentation.
Research Thesis or IS Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis or IS project on a management information systems topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and practical application, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Enterprise Systems Management
Focuses on managing enterprise systems, covering ERP systems, enterprise architecture, and enterprise system implementation.
Business Analytics
Examines using data and analytics for business decisions, covering business intelligence, data mining, and analytics strategy.
IT Strategy and Governance
Covers IT strategy formulation, IT governance, IT investment, and aligning IT with business strategy.
Information Security Management
Focuses on managing information security in organisations, covering security policy, risk management, and security governance.
Digital Transformation
Examines digital transformation in organisations, covering digital strategy, digital technologies, and managing organisational change.
IT Project Management
Covers managing IT projects, covering project planning, agile methods, project risk management, and project delivery.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Management Information Systems programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, case studies, project work, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover IS management, enterprise systems, IT strategy, and business analytics. IS management sessions examine managing information systems in organisations, IS planning, and IS operations. Enterprise systems sessions cover ERP systems, enterprise architecture, and enterprise system implementation. IT strategy sessions examine aligning IT with business strategy, IT governance, and IT investment. Business analytics sessions cover business intelligence, data mining, and using analytics for business decisions. Systems analysis sessions cover systems analysis and design, requirements engineering, and system development. IT project management sessions cover project planning, agile methods, and managing IT projects. Database management sessions cover database design, database administration, and data management. Information security sessions cover security policy, risk management, and security governance. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis or project, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with enterprise systems, databases, and analytics tools. Case studies provide practical application of theory to real IS management scenarios. Project work involves designing and implementing IS solutions, IT strategies, or analytics projects. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in IS management. Guest lectures from IS professionals and IT leaders provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis or IS project on a management information systems topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Digital transformation creates strong demand for IS professionals who can bridge technology and business.
Programme combines technology with management and business strategy, providing versatile career options.
Programme offered by multiple universities including both public and private, providing institutional choice.
JKUAT offers affordable fees (~KES 254,100/year) for a technology-focused programme.

Against it

KCA University fee data not independently verified, limiting cost comparison for private institutions.
UoN fee schedule shows significantly higher total (KES 972,000) but may be for a different programme variant, creating confusion.
Programme may overlap with MSc Information Systems and MSc IT, causing confusion for prospective students.
Rapidly evolving technology requires continuous self-learning beyond the programme curriculum.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public254k to 254k

254k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology254k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private165k to 476k

165k at Kabarak University476k at Strathmore 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

JKUAT 254K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). Strathmore ~476K/yr (strathmore.edu). Kabarak ~165K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. ICT Authority may provide professional development support for IS professionals. AIS and other international bodies may provide professional development support. Some organisations may sponsor employees for IS postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
ICT Authority Professional Development
AIS Professional Development

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
ICT Authority Professional Development
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
ICT Authority supports professional development and training for ICT professionals in Kenya.
AIS Professional Development
GrantKsh 150,000
Association for Information Systems provides professional development support and grants for IS academics and professionals globally.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires Upper Second Class Honours or Lower Second with three years of experience. UoN and KCA have similar requirements. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework25% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, practical exercises, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination35% of the mark
Written examinations covering IS management, enterprise systems, IT strategy, and business analytics.
Practical Project Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through system design exercises, analytics projects, case studies, and demonstrating IS management skills.
Research Thesis or IS Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or IS project on a management information systems topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and practical application, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and University of Nairobi (public) and KCA University (private) offer Master's programmes in Information Systems Management. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate IS management training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and University of Nairobi (public) and KCA University (private) offer Master's programmes in Information Systems Management. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate IS management training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

IS Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages information systems in organisations, overseeing IS operations, IS planning, and IS service delivery.
IT Director
Moderate demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 900,000
Leads IT function in organisations, overseeing IT strategy, IT operations, and IT service management.
Business Analyst
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses business processes and requirements, overseeing business analysis, system requirements, and process improvement.
Enterprise Systems Manager
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages enterprise systems in organisations, overseeing ERP systems, enterprise architecture, and system implementation.
IT Project Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 650,000
Manages IT projects in organisations, overseeing project planning, delivery, risk management, and project teams.
MIS Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches management information systems at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes