Arts & Humanities

Master of Philosophy in Human Resource Development

The Master of Philosophy in Human Resource Development is a postgraduate programme that trains professionals to become specialists in human resource management, development, and organisational behaviour. The programme prepares graduates to manage human capital, design HRD interventions, and conduct research in human resource development in Kenya and beyond.

Core areas of study include human resource management theory, organisational behaviour, training and development, performance management, strategic human resource management, labour relations, compensation management, HRD research methods, organisational development, and leadership development. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications in human resource settings.

The programme is offered by numerous universities across Kenya, with Moi University as a college. Moi University offers MSc in Human Resource Development through its School of Human Resource Development. The programme is one of the most widely offered master's programmes in Kenya, reflecting the importance of HRD in organisational success.

Students develop competencies in human resource strategy, training programme design, performance management systems, compensation and benefits management, labour relations, organisational development, change management, leadership development, and HRD research. The programme includes coursework, case studies, research projects, examinations, and a research thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study options at most institutions. Moi University offers the programme at its Nairobi Campus (Bazaar Plaza) and Eldoret campus. The programme is designed for HR professionals, managers, and graduates seeking to advance their expertise in human resource development.

Graduates pursue careers as human resource managers, HRD consultants, training and development managers, labour relations officers, compensation and benefits managers, organisational development specialists, and HR educators in corporations, NGOs, government, and consulting firms.

Skills Required

Human Resource Strategy and Planning
Training Programme Design and Delivery
Performance Management Systems
Compensation and Benefits Management
Labour Relations and Employment Law
Organisational Development and Change Management
Leadership Development and Coaching
Talent Management and Succession Planning
HR Analytics and Data-Driven Decision Making
HRD Research and Evaluation

Key Subjects

Human Resource Management Theory
Organisational Behaviour
Training and Development
Performance Management
Strategic Human Resource Management
Labour Relations and Employment Law
Compensation and Benefits Management
Organisational Development and Change
Leadership Development
HRD Research Methods

Certifications

IHRM Kenya Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP)
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

Specializations

Training and Development

Focuses on designing, delivering, and evaluating training programmes, managing learning and development initiatives, and building human capital through systematic training.

Strategic Human Resource Management

Examines strategic HRM, aligning HR strategy with organisational strategy, workforce planning, and managing human resources as a strategic asset.

Labour Relations and Employment Law

Covers labour relations, employment law, managing union relationships, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and ensuring legal compliance in HR practice.

Compensation and Benefits Management

Focuses on compensation design, salary structures, benefits administration, pay equity, performance-based pay, and managing total reward systems.

Organisational Development and Change

Examines organisational development, managing change initiatives, improving organisational effectiveness, and building adaptive and resilient organisations.

Talent Management and Leadership Development

Covers talent management, succession planning, leadership development programmes, coaching and mentoring, and building leadership pipelines in organisations.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Private, up to: Ksh 233,865
Job market: Very 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

Human Resource Management Theory
Organisational Behaviour
Training and Development
Performance Management
Strategic Human Resource Management
Labour Relations and Employment Law
Compensation and Benefits Management
Organisational Development and Change
Leadership Development
HRD Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Human Resource Management Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines HRM theory, historical development of HRM, contemporary HRM models, strategic HRM, and understanding human resource management as a strategic organisational function.
Organisational Behaviour and Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers organisational behaviour, individual behaviour in organisations, motivation, group dynamics, organisational culture, and understanding human behaviour in workplace settings.
Training and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines training programme design, needs assessment, training methods, evaluating training effectiveness, e-learning, and managing learning and development in organisations.
Performance Management Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers performance management theory, designing performance appraisal systems, feedback mechanisms, managing poor performance, and linking performance to organisational goals.
Strategic Human Resource Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines strategic HRM, aligning HR strategy with business strategy, workforce planning, HR's role in organisational success, and managing HR as a strategic partner.
Labour Relations and Employment Law
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers labour relations, Kenyan employment law, managing union relationships, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and ensuring legal compliance in HR practice.
Research Methods in HRD
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines qualitative and quantitative research methods, survey design, data analysis, action research, and conducting HRD research in organisational settings.
Compensation and Benefits Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines compensation theory, designing salary structures, benefits administration, pay equity, performance-based pay, job evaluation, and managing total reward systems.
Organisational Development and Change Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers organisational development, managing change initiatives, overcoming resistance, organisational diagnosis, intervention design, and improving organisational effectiveness.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a human resource development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and HRD knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Training and Development
Focuses on designing, delivering, and evaluating training programmes, managing learning and development initiatives, and building human capital through systematic training.
Strategic Human Resource Management
Examines strategic HRM, aligning HR strategy with organisational strategy, workforce planning, and managing human resources as a strategic asset.
Labour Relations and Employment Law
Covers labour relations, employment law, managing union relationships, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and ensuring legal compliance in HR practice.
Compensation and Benefits Management
Focuses on compensation design, salary structures, benefits administration, pay equity, performance-based pay, and managing total reward systems.
Organisational Development and Change
Examines organisational development, managing change initiatives, improving organisational effectiveness, and building adaptive and resilient organisations.
Talent Management and Leadership Development
Covers talent management, succession planning, leadership development programmes, coaching and mentoring, and building leadership pipelines in organisations.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MPhil in Human Resource Development programme begins with morning lectures on HR theory, organisational behaviour, or strategic HRM. Students engage in case study discussions analysing real HR challenges, designing training programmes, and developing performance management systems. Group work involves conducting organisational assessments, evaluating HR practices, and proposing development interventions. Afternoon sessions may include practical projects where students work with actual organisations to assess HR needs and propose solutions. Seminars feature guest speakers from industry sharing HR practice experiences. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering qualitative and quantitative research methods, survey design, and data analysis. Labour law sessions examine employment legislation, managing union relationships, and resolving workplace disputes. Compensation management sessions involve designing salary structures and evaluating benefits packages. Networking opportunities connect students with HR professionals through IHRM Kenya events and activities. The programme at Moi University is offered at Nairobi Campus and Eldoret with flexible scheduling for working professionals. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis defence.

The trade offs

In its favour

HRD is one of the most in-demand fields in Kenya, with every organisation requiring HR expertise, creating very high demand across all sectors.
Programme offered by numerous universities across Kenya, providing wide geographic access and choice for prospective students.
HRD skills are transferable across all sectors including corporate, NGO, government, and consulting, offering diverse and flexible career paths.
Programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills directly applicable in workplace settings, providing immediate professional value.

Against it

With 69 universities listed, programme quality may vary significantly between institutions, requiring careful selection.
Many listed universities may not have established MPhil HRD programmes, with some offering MSc or MA variants instead.
HRD is a crowded field with many graduates, making differentiation and career advancement competitive.
Specific fee structures for many institutions could not be independently verified, making cost comparison difficult.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public140k to 187k

140k at University of Kabianga187k at Moi University

Private130k to 234k

130k at Mount Kenya University234k at KCA 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

Moi 187.2K/yr(wsf). Kabianga ~140K/yr(intracolleges). MKU 65K/sem2(eduplace). KCA 78K/tri3(official)

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Many employers sponsor employees pursuing HRD qualifications. IHRM Kenya offers professional development grants for HR practitioners. The programme's professional focus attracts corporate and NGO funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Employer Sponsorship
IHRM Professional Development Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Employer Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 400,000Kenyan
Many employers sponsor employees pursuing HRD qualifications to build internal HR capability and support professional development.
IHRM Professional Development Grants
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
IHRM Kenya offers professional development grants for HR practitioners pursuing postgraduate HRD qualifications.

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 HR professionals, managers, and graduates seeking to advance their expertise in human resource development. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time study options at most institutions. Moi University offers the programme at Nairobi Campus (Bazaar Plaza) and Eldoret campus.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case study analysis, HR project design, and class participation throughout the programme.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering HR theory, organisational behaviour, strategic HRM, labour law, and compensation management, conducted at end of each semester.
Practical HR Project
Practical40% of the mark
Practical HR project involving assessment of a real organisation's HR practices, designing interventions, and presenting recommendations.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a human resource development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and HRD knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University's MSc in Human Resource Development is offered through its School of Human Resource Development. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate business and management training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University's MSc in Human Resource Development is offered through its School of Human Resource Development.
Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM Kenya)
Professional accreditation
IHRM Kenya sets professional standards for HR practice. Graduates may pursue IHRM's Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Human Resource Manager
Very high demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages human resource functions in organisations, overseeing recruitment, training, performance management, compensation, and ensuring effective HR practices.
HRD Consultant
High demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 650,000
Consults with organisations on HRD matters, advising on organisational development, training, performance management, and strategic HR initiatives.
Training and Development Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 500,000
Designs and manages training and development programmes, conducting needs assessments, delivering training, and evaluating learning outcomes.
Labour Relations Officer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 480,000
Manages labour relations, handling union negotiations, resolving workplace disputes, ensuring legal compliance, and maintaining positive employee relations.
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages compensation and benefits programmes, designing salary structures, administering benefits, and ensuring competitive and equitable reward systems.
Organisational Development Specialist
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 550,000
Designs and implements organisational development interventions, managing change initiatives, improving organisational effectiveness, and building adaptive organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as human resource managers, HRD consultants, training and development managers, and labour relations officers in corporations, NGOs, and government.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

HR Information Systems (HRIS)
SoftwarePrimary
HR information system for managing employee data, payroll, benefits, performance management, and HR analytics in modern organisations.
Survey Tools (Qualtrics)
SoftwarePrimary
Survey platform for conducting employee engagement surveys, training needs assessments, and collecting HR research data.
LinkedIn Talent Solutions
Software
Talent acquisition and management platform for recruitment, employer branding, and managing talent pipelines in organisations.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for HRD research, analysing survey data, and conducting quantitative HR research studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

HRD is just about hiring and firing employees.
HRD encompasses strategic human resource management, organisational development, training, leadership development, change management, and building human capital as a strategic organisational asset.
A bachelor's degree in HR is sufficient for senior HR roles.
Senior HR roles increasingly require postgraduate qualifications, with MPhil HRD providing advanced knowledge in strategic HRM, organisational development, and research-based practice.
HRD has limited career prospects compared to other business fields.
HRD is one of the most in-demand fields in Kenya, with every organisation requiring HR expertise, creating very high demand across all sectors.
This programme is only for those already working in HR.
While many students are HR professionals, the programme is also valuable for managers, consultants, and graduates from any field seeking to specialise in human resource development.
HRD is becoming less relevant with automation and AI.
Automation and AI are transforming HR but increasing the need for strategic HRD professionals who can manage human-AI collaboration, reskilling, and the human aspects of digital transformation.
All universities offer the same quality of HRD programme.
Programme quality varies significantly between institutions, with established schools like Moi University's School of HRD offering more comprehensive and recognised programmes.