Media & Communication

Master of Philosophy in Communication and Journalism

The Master of Philosophy in Communication and Journalism is a postgraduate programme that trains professionals to become specialists in communication research, journalism practice, and media studies. The programme prepares graduates to conduct scholarly research, produce high-quality journalism, and contribute to media development in Kenya and beyond.

Core areas of study include communication theory, journalism research methods, media ethics, development communication, digital media, political communication, media and society, newsroom management, documentary production, and academic writing. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications in communication and journalism.

The programme is offered by Maasai Mara University, Kenya Highlands University, and KCA University, with Moi University as a college. Moi University offers MPhil in Communication and Journalism through its School of Information Sciences. The programme is designed for professionals seeking to advance their expertise in communication research and journalism practice.

Students develop competencies in communication research, journalistic writing, media analysis, digital media production, development communication, media ethics, political communication, and academic scholarship. The programme includes coursework, research projects, seminars, examinations, and a research thesis. The programme typically runs for two academic years with full-time study mode.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study options. Students complete coursework in the first year and focus on research and thesis in the second year. The programme is designed for communication professionals, journalists, and scholars seeking to advance their knowledge and research skills.

Graduates pursue careers as communication researchers, journalists, media analysts, development communication specialists, media educators, and communication consultants in media houses, universities, NGOs, government, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Communication Research and Analysis
Journalistic Writing and Reporting
Media Theory and Criticism
Digital Media Production and Management
Development Communication Strategy
Media Ethics and Professional Standards
Political Communication and Analysis
Documentary and Feature Production
Newsroom Management and Editorial Leadership
Academic Writing and Publication

Key Subjects

Communication Theory
Journalism Research Methods
Media Ethics and Law
Development Communication
Digital Media and Online Journalism
Political Communication
Media and Society
Newsroom Management
Documentary Production
Academic Writing and Research Methods

Certifications

MCK Journalist Accreditation
IAMCR Membership

Specializations

Development Communication

Focuses on using communication for development, designing development communication strategies, managing communication campaigns, and researching communication's role in social change.

Digital Media and Journalism

Examines digital media platforms, online journalism, social media communication, digital content production, and managing digital media operations.

Political Communication

Covers political communication, election communication, government public relations, political journalism, and analysing media's role in political processes.

Media and Development Studies

Focuses on media's role in development, communication for social change, health communication, and researching media impact on development outcomes.

Journalism Studies

Examines journalism theory and practice, newsroom management, investigative journalism, editorial leadership, and advancing journalistic standards and practice.

Corporate Communication

Covers corporate communication strategy, public relations, internal communication, crisis communication, and managing organisational communication.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Communication Theory
Journalism Research Methods
Media Ethics and Law
Development Communication
Digital Media and Online Journalism
Political Communication
Media and Society
Newsroom Management
Documentary Production
Academic Writing and Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Communication Theory and Research
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines communication theory, mass communication models, media effects theories, and research approaches for studying communication and media phenomena.
Journalism Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methods in journalism and communication, content analysis, framing analysis, survey design, and research ethics.
Media Ethics and Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines media ethics, journalistic codes of conduct, media law, defamation, privacy, freedom of expression, and ethical decision-making in journalism practice.
Development Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers development communication theory, communication for social change, designing development communication campaigns, and researching communication's role in development.
Digital Media and Online Journalism
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines digital media platforms, online journalism practice, social media communication, digital content production, and managing digital media operations.
Political Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers political communication theory, election communication, government public relations, political journalism, and analysing media's role in political processes.
Documentary and Feature Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines documentary production, feature writing, long-form journalism, storytelling techniques, and producing in-depth journalistic content across media platforms.
Media and Society
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines media's role in society, media and democracy, media and culture, audience studies, and understanding the social, cultural, and political impact of media.
Newsroom Management and Editorial Leadership
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers newsroom management, editorial decision-making, media leadership, managing journalistic teams, and ensuring quality standards in news production.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a communication and journalism topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and subject knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Development Communication
Focuses on using communication for development, designing development communication strategies, managing communication campaigns, and researching communication's role in social change.
Digital Media and Journalism
Examines digital media platforms, online journalism, social media communication, digital content production, and managing digital media operations.
Political Communication
Covers political communication, election communication, government public relations, political journalism, and analysing media's role in political processes.
Media and Development Studies
Focuses on media's role in development, communication for social change, health communication, and researching media impact on development outcomes.
Journalism Studies
Examines journalism theory and practice, newsroom management, investigative journalism, editorial leadership, and advancing journalistic standards and practice.
Corporate Communication
Covers corporate communication strategy, public relations, internal communication, crisis communication, and managing organisational communication.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MPhil in Communication and Journalism programme begins with morning lectures on communication theory, media ethics, or research methods. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing media content, debating ethical dilemmas in journalism, and reviewing recent communication research. Practical sessions involve writing news stories, producing digital media content, and conducting media analysis projects. Research methodology sessions cover qualitative and quantitative methods, content analysis, framing analysis, and designing communication research studies. Students may participate in media production workshops covering documentary production, online journalism, and digital storytelling. Guest lectures from practising journalists, editors, and communication professionals provide industry insights. Journal clubs review recent communication research publications. Students develop their thesis proposals, conducting literature reviews and designing research studies. The programme at Moi University is based at the School of Information Sciences with access to media production facilities. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis defence.

The trade offs

In its favour

Digital media growth has created new career opportunities in online journalism, digital content, social media, and data-driven communication.
Programme combines theoretical rigour with practical skills in journalism, media production, and communication research.
MPhil designation provides stronger research focus, opening academic career paths and doctoral study opportunities.
Programme offered by multiple institutions providing choice and comparison for prospective students.

Against it

Traditional media job market in Kenya is competitive with limited well-paying positions in established media houses.
MPhil research focus may be less practical than professionally oriented MA programmes for those seeking immediate industry application.
Specific fee structures for some institutions could not be independently verified, making cost comparison difficult.
Communication and journalism salaries in Kenya can be modest, particularly in entry-level positions at smaller media outlets.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 106 media & communication courses

Public118k to 221k

118k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN 220.5K/yr, Maseno 118.35K/yr (official PG schedules). Private MPhil unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Moi University offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students. UNESCO provides media development grants for journalism training in developing countries. The programme's media development focus attracts donor and international organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Moi University Scholarships
UNESCO Media Development Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Moi University Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Moi University offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students based on need and academic merit.
UNESCO Media Development Grants
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
UNESCO provides media development grants for journalism training and media development in developing countries.

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 designed for communication professionals, journalists, and scholars seeking to advance their expertise. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time study options. Coursework in first year followed by research and thesis in second year.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Seminars
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, seminar presentations, media analysis projects, and class participation throughout the programme.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering communication theory, research methods, media ethics, and journalism practice, conducted at end of each semester.
Practical Media Project
Practical40% of the mark
Practical media project involving producing journalistic content, documentary, or communication campaign, demonstrating practical skills and theoretical application.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a communication and journalism topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and subject knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University's MPhil in Communication and Journalism is offered through its School of Information Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate media and communication training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University's MPhil in Communication and Journalism is offered through its School of Information Sciences.
Media Council of Kenya (MCK)
Professional accreditation
MCK sets standards for journalism practice in Kenya. Graduates seeking to practise as journalists should obtain MCK accreditation.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Communication Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts communication research, studying media effects, audience behaviour, and communication patterns, working in research institutions, universities, and media organisations.
Journalist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 400,000
Reports and writes news stories, conducts investigations, produces content across media platforms, and works in print, broadcast, and digital media houses.
Media Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Analyses media content, tracks media trends, evaluates communication strategies, and provides insights to media organisations, corporations, and NGOs.
Development Communication Specialist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs and implements development communication strategies, managing campaigns for NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations.
Media Educator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches journalism and communication in universities and training institutions, conducting media research and training the next generation of media professionals.
Communication Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides communication consulting services to organisations, developing communication strategies, managing corporate communication, and advising on media relations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as communication researchers, journalists, media analysts, and development communication specialists in media houses, universities, and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Premiere Pro
SoftwarePrimary
Video editing software for producing documentary content, news packages, and multimedia journalism across digital platforms.
NVivo Qualitative Analysis Software
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for communication research, analysing interview data, media content, and conducting content analysis.
Content Management System (WordPress)
Software
Content management system for publishing online journalism, managing digital media platforms, and producing web-based communication content.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for communication research, analysing survey data, and conducting quantitative media research studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A master's in communication and journalism is only for journalists.
The programme is valuable for communication professionals, researchers, development workers, corporate communicators, and anyone working in media-related fields, not just journalists.
Journalism experience is more valuable than academic qualifications.
While practical experience is important, academic training provides theoretical foundations, research skills, and critical perspectives that enhance professional practice and open academic career paths.
This programme has limited career prospects with the decline of traditional media.
Digital media growth has created new opportunities in online journalism, digital content, social media management, and data-driven communication, expanding career prospects.
Communication research is not relevant to practical journalism.
Communication research provides evidence-based insights into audience behaviour, media effects, and communication strategies that directly inform journalistic practice and media management.
This programme is the same as a Master of Arts in Communication.
MPhil programmes typically have a stronger research focus and thesis component compared to MA programmes, which may be more coursework-oriented.
Online and digital media have made traditional journalism education obsolete.
Digital media has transformed rather than replaced journalism, making professional training in ethics, research, and critical analysis more important than ever.