Health Sciences

Master of Public Health Programme (Monitoring and Evaluation)

The Master of Public Health Programme in Monitoring and Evaluation is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in public health programme evaluation, performance monitoring, and health systems assessment. The programme combines public health knowledge with evaluation methodology and data management.

Core areas include monitoring and evaluation, public health programme management, evaluation design, data collection methods, health indicators, quality improvement, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both evaluation theory and practical public health application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University. KU is a public university offering the programme over two to three academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in M&E framework design, indicator development, data collection and management, evaluation design, programme monitoring, quality improvement, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, field attachment, and a research thesis.

KU charges KES 326,400/year (East Africans) or KES 408,000/year (non-East Africans). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with First Class or Second Class Honours Upper Division in environmental health, community health, nutrition, health management, health informatics, public health, or population health from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as M&E officers, public health programme managers, evaluation consultants, health data managers, quality improvement officers, and lecturers in monitoring and evaluation and public health across health institutions, NGOs, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Design
Public Health Programme Management
Evaluation Design and Methodology
Health Data Collection and Management
Indicator Development and Performance Tracking
Quality Improvement in Health Programmes
Research Methods in Public Health
Data Analysis and Reporting
Programme Planning and Logic Models
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks
Public Health Programme Management
Evaluation Design and Methodology
Health Data Collection and Management
Indicator Development and Performance Tracking
Quality Improvement in Health Programmes
Research Methods in Public Health
Health Systems Assessment
Impact Evaluation Methods
Thesis Research

Certifications

KAPHA Professional Membership
American Evaluation Association Membership

Specializations

Programme Evaluation

Focuses on programme evaluation, covering evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, and managing programme evaluation.

Performance Monitoring

Examines performance monitoring, covering performance indicators, performance tracking, dashboards, and managing performance monitoring systems.

Health Systems Evaluation

Covers health systems evaluation, covering health system assessment, health system strengthening, system performance, and managing health systems evaluation.

Data Management for M&E

Focuses on data management, covering data collection, data quality, databases, data analysis, and managing M&E data systems.

Quality Improvement

Examines quality improvement, covering quality standards, quality assessment, QI methods, and managing quality improvement programmes.

Impact Assessment

Covers impact assessment, covering impact evaluation methods, causal inference, counterfactual analysis, and managing impact assessment.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
Private, up to: Ksh 267,500
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: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks
Public Health Programme Management
Evaluation Design and Methodology
Health Data Collection and Management
Indicator Development and Performance Tracking
Quality Improvement in Health Programmes
Research Methods in Public Health
Health Systems Assessment
Impact Evaluation Methods
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines logic models, results frameworks, theory of change, M&E plans, and managing M&E frameworks.
Public Health Programme Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers programme planning, programme implementation, programme management, and managing public health programmes.
Evaluation Design and Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines evaluation types, evaluation questions, evaluation methodology, evaluation design, and managing evaluation design.
Research Methods in Public Health
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting M&E research, preparing students for their thesis.
Health Data Collection and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers data collection methods, data quality, databases, data management, and managing M&E data systems.
Indicator Development and Performance Tracking
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines performance indicators, indicator development, performance tracking, dashboards, and managing performance monitoring.
Quality Improvement in Health Programmes
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quality standards, quality assessment, QI methods, quality indicators, and managing quality improvement programmes.
Health Systems Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines health system assessment, health system strengthening, system performance, and managing health systems evaluation.
Impact Evaluation Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers impact evaluation methods, causal inference, counterfactual analysis, experimental designs, and managing impact assessment.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines data analysis, statistical methods, data visualisation, report writing, and managing M&E reporting.
Programme Planning and Logic Models
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers programme planning, logic models, results chains, programme design, and managing programme planning.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a monitoring and evaluation topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and M&E knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Programme Evaluation
Focuses on programme evaluation, covering evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, and managing programme evaluation.
Performance Monitoring
Examines performance monitoring, covering performance indicators, performance tracking, dashboards, and managing performance monitoring systems.
Health Systems Evaluation
Covers health systems evaluation, covering health system assessment, health system strengthening, system performance, and managing health systems evaluation.
Data Management for M&E
Focuses on data management, covering data collection, data quality, databases, data analysis, and managing M&E data systems.
Quality Improvement
Examines quality improvement, covering quality standards, quality assessment, QI methods, and managing quality improvement programmes.
Impact Assessment
Covers impact assessment, covering impact evaluation methods, causal inference, counterfactual analysis, and managing impact assessment.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MPH in Monitoring and Evaluation programme combines lectures, computer laboratory sessions, field visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover M&E frameworks, evaluation design, data management, programme monitoring, and quality improvement. M&E framework sessions examine logic models, results frameworks, theory of change, and managing M&E frameworks. Evaluation design sessions cover evaluation types, evaluation questions, evaluation methodology, and managing evaluation design. Data management sessions cover data collection methods, data quality, databases, data analysis, and managing M&E data. Programme monitoring sessions cover performance indicators, monitoring plans, progress tracking, reporting, and managing programme monitoring. Quality improvement sessions cover quality standards, quality assessment, QI methods, and managing quality improvement. Health systems sessions cover health system assessment, health system strengthening, system performance, and managing health systems evaluation. Impact evaluation sessions cover impact evaluation methods, causal inference, counterfactual analysis, and managing impact assessment. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Computer laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with data management software, statistical software, and M&E tools. Field visits provide practical experience with health programmes, M&E systems, and field data collection. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in M&E and public health. Guest lectures from experienced M&E officers, evaluation consultants, and public health professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a monitoring and evaluation topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for M&E professionals with increasing focus on accountability and evidence-based programming in Kenya.
Programme combines public health knowledge with evaluation methodology, providing versatile skills for health programme assessment.
KU offers competitive fees at KES 326,400/year with access to Ministry of Health and WHO resources.
Programme is highly relevant to Kenya's health sector reforms and donor-funded programmes requiring M&E.

Against it

Programme is offered by only one university (KU), limiting institutional choice.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting options.
Programme requires understanding of both public health and evaluation methodology, which may be challenging for some students.
Programme is specialised, which may limit versatility compared to broader MPH degrees.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public120k to 326k

120k at Kisii University326k at Kenyatta University

Private151k to 268k

151k at Mount Kenya University268k at Amref International 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

Public: Kisii 120K, KU 326K/yr (joweri.com). Private: MKU 151K, Amref 268K/yr (eafinder).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI may provide training support for research staff. WHO and Africa CDC may provide training support for M&E professionals. Some NGOs and international health organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Training Support
WHO Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenya Medical Research Institute supports training for research staff.
WHO Training Support
GrantKsh 300,000
World Health Organization provides training support for M&E professionals 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: KU requires First Class or Upper Second Class Honours in health-related fields. Lower Second Division holders with relevant health experience are considered. Contact KU for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, M&E exercises, seminar presentations, group projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering M&E frameworks, evaluation design, data management, programme monitoring, and quality improvement.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through M&E projects, data analysis exercises, evaluation design projects, and demonstrating M&E skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a monitoring and evaluation topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and M&E knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University (public) offers MPH in Monitoring and Evaluation. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in public health monitoring and evaluation. Graduates are eligible for KAPHA professional membership and American Evaluation Association membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University (public) offers MPH in Monitoring and Evaluation. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in public health monitoring and evaluation. Graduates are eligible for KAPHA professional membership and American Evaluation Association membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

M&E Officer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages M&E systems, overseeing data collection, indicator tracking, evaluation, and managing M&E activities for health programmes.
Public Health Programme Manager
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Manages public health programmes, overseeing programme design, implementation, monitoring, and managing programme operations.
Evaluation Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Consults on evaluation, providing evaluation design, implementation, analysis, and managing evaluation consultancy services.
Health Data Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages health data, overseeing data collection, data quality, databases, data analysis, and managing health data systems.
Quality Improvement Officer
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages quality improvement, overseeing quality standards, quality assessment, QI methods, and managing quality improvement programmes.
M&E Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 550,000
Teaches monitoring and evaluation at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, student supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

DHIS2
SoftwarePrimary
DHIS2 health information system for M&E data management, covering data collection, indicators, dashboards, and managing health data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS statistical software for M&E data analysis, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.
Excel
Software
Microsoft Excel for M&E data management, covering data entry, analysis, reporting, and managing M&E data.
KoBoToolbox
Software
KoBoToolbox for field data collection, covering survey design, mobile data collection, data management, and managing field data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Monitoring and evaluation is just about collecting data.
M&E covers comprehensive evaluation science including framework design, methodology, impact evaluation, quality improvement, and programme assessment.
This programme is only for those working in NGOs.
M&E skills are valuable in government, research, international organisations, and any institution dealing with programme evaluation and performance monitoring.
M&E has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With increasing demand for accountability and evidence-based programming, demand for M&E professionals is growing in Kenya.
This programme is the same as general MPH.
This programme focuses specifically on monitoring and evaluation skills, while general MPH covers broader public health including epidemiology, policy, and management.
M&E is just about reporting.
M&E involves comprehensive programme assessment including design, data collection, analysis, evaluation, and evidence-based decision-making.
Impact evaluation is too complex to be practical.
Impact evaluation methods are increasingly used in Kenya to assess programme effectiveness and inform policy decisions.