Agriculture

Master of Science in Applied Veterinary Parasitological

The Master of Science in Applied Veterinary Parasitology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in veterinary parasitology, focusing on parasitic diseases of livestock and domestic animals. The programme prepares graduates for careers in veterinary research, animal health, and parasitic disease control.

Core areas include veterinary parasitology, parasite taxonomy, helminthology, protozoology, entomology, parasitic disease diagnosis, epidemiology of parasitic infections, parasite control, molecular parasitology, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical laboratory and field applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with the University of Nairobi as a college. UoN offers MSc in Applied Veterinary Parasitology through its Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. JKUAT also offers the programme.

Students develop competencies in parasite identification, veterinary diagnostics, parasitic disease management, parasite control, molecular parasitology, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory sessions, field practicals, examinations, and a research thesis. UoN's programme covers ten taught course units in year one and research project with thesis in subsequent semesters.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. UoN's programme consists of Part I with taught courses and Part II with research and thesis. The programme accommodates veterinary, medical, and biological science graduates.

Graduates pursue careers as veterinary parasitologists, animal health researchers, diagnostic laboratory managers, parasitic disease control specialists, and lecturers in veterinary faculties, research institutions, and animal health organisations.

Skills Required

Veterinary Parasite Identification and Taxonomy
Parasitic Disease Diagnosis in Animals
Helminthology and Protozoology
Molecular Veterinary Parasitology
Parasite Control and Treatment Strategies
Epidemiology of Veterinary Parasitic Infections
Vector Biology and Vector Control
Laboratory Techniques in Veterinary Parasitology
Animal Health Research Methods
Parasitic Disease Surveillance

Key Subjects

Veterinary Parasitology
Helminthology
Protozoology
Veterinary Entomology
Parasitic Disease Diagnosis
Molecular Veterinary Parasitology
Epidemiology of Veterinary Parasitic Infections
Parasite Control and Management
Vector Biology and Control
Research Methods in Veterinary Science

Certifications

KVA Veterinary Parasitology Certification
WAAVP Professional Membership

Specializations

Helminthology

Focuses on helminth parasites of animals, including trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes, their biology, diagnosis, and control in livestock and domestic animals.

Protozoology

Examines protozoan parasites of veterinary importance, including coccidia, trypanosomes, babesia, and theileria, their diagnosis and control in animals.

Veterinary Entomology

Covers veterinary entomology, arthropod parasites and vectors of animal diseases, tick-borne diseases, and controlling arthropod parasites of livestock.

Molecular Veterinary Parasitology

Focuses on molecular veterinary parasitology, applying molecular tools to parasite diagnosis, taxonomy, drug resistance, and understanding parasite biology at molecular level.

Parasitic Disease Epidemiology

Examines epidemiology of veterinary parasitic infections, disease distribution, transmission dynamics, surveillance, and applying epidemiological methods to parasite control.

Parasite Control and Management

Covers parasite control and management, anthelmintic treatment, drug resistance, integrated parasite management, and developing sustainable parasite control programmes.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 398,500
Job market: Moderate

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: 12 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Veterinary Parasitology
Helminthology
Protozoology
Veterinary Entomology
Parasitic Disease Diagnosis
Molecular Veterinary Parasitology
Epidemiology of Veterinary Parasitic Infections
Parasite Control and Management
Vector Biology and Control
Research Methods in Veterinary Science

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Veterinary Parasitology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced veterinary parasitology, parasite biology, host-parasite interactions, and parasitic diseases of livestock and domestic animals.
Helminthology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers helminth parasites of animals including trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes, their morphology, life cycles, diagnosis, and control.
Protozoology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines protozoan parasites of veterinary importance including coccidia, trypanosomes, babesia, and theileria, their diagnosis and control in animals.
Veterinary Entomology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers veterinary entomology, arthropod parasites and vectors of animal diseases, tick-borne diseases, mites, flies, and controlling arthropod parasites of livestock.
Molecular Veterinary Parasitology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines molecular veterinary parasitology, applying molecular tools to parasite diagnosis, taxonomy, drug resistance, and understanding parasite biology at molecular level.
Parasitic Disease Diagnosis
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers parasitic disease diagnosis, microscopy, serological tests, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory methods for detecting and identifying veterinary parasites.
Epidemiology of Veterinary Parasitic Infections
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines epidemiology of veterinary parasitic infections, disease distribution, transmission dynamics, surveillance, and applying epidemiological methods to parasite control.
Parasite Control and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers parasite control and management, anthelmintic treatment, drug resistance, integrated parasite management, and developing sustainable parasite control programmes.
Vector Biology and Control
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines vector biology, vector ecology, vector-parasite interactions, and developing and implementing vector control strategies for veterinary parasitic diseases.
Research Methods in Veterinary Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for veterinary science, experimental design, data analysis, and conducting veterinary parasitology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Zoonotic Parasitic Infections
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines zoonotic parasitic infections, parasites transmissible between animals and humans, their diagnosis, control, and public health significance.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an applied veterinary parasitology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Helminthology
Focuses on helminth parasites of animals, including trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes, their biology, diagnosis, and control in livestock and domestic animals.
Protozoology
Examines protozoan parasites of veterinary importance, including coccidia, trypanosomes, babesia, and theileria, their diagnosis and control in animals.
Veterinary Entomology
Covers veterinary entomology, arthropod parasites and vectors of animal diseases, tick-borne diseases, and controlling arthropod parasites of livestock.
Molecular Veterinary Parasitology
Focuses on molecular veterinary parasitology, applying molecular tools to parasite diagnosis, taxonomy, drug resistance, and understanding parasite biology at molecular level.
Parasitic Disease Epidemiology
Examines epidemiology of veterinary parasitic infections, disease distribution, transmission dynamics, surveillance, and applying epidemiological methods to parasite control.
Parasite Control and Management
Covers parasite control and management, anthelmintic treatment, drug resistance, integrated parasite management, and developing sustainable parasite control programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Applied Veterinary Parasitology programme begins with morning lectures on veterinary parasitology, helminthology, or protozoology. Students engage in theoretical discussions on parasite biology, host-parasite interactions, and parasitic disease transmission in animals. Laboratory sessions form a central part of the programme, involving parasite identification, microscopy, diagnostic techniques, and molecular parasitology methods. Helminthology sessions cover trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes of veterinary importance, their morphology, life cycles, and diagnosis. Protozoology sessions examine coccidia, trypanosomes, babesia, theileria, and other protozoan parasites of livestock. Veterinary entomology sessions cover arthropod parasites including ticks, mites, and flies, and their role as disease vectors. Molecular parasitology sessions involve DNA extraction, PCR, molecular diagnostics, and studying drug resistance in parasites. Field practicals take students to farms, veterinary clinics, and research stations where they observe parasitic infections in animals and collect samples. Parasite control sessions examine anthelmintic treatment, drug resistance, integrated parasite management, and sustainable control programmes. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering veterinary research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KALRO researchers, KVA veterinarians, and international parasitology experts provide real-world insights. UoN's programme at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine offers well-equipped laboratories and research facilities. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's livestock sector faces significant parasitic disease challenges creating demand for qualified veterinary parasitologists.
UoN offers a well-established programme through its Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology with research facilities.
WAAVP Africa Network provides scholarships for veterinary parasitology training, including tuition, research materials, and stipend.
Programme combines traditional parasitology with molecular techniques, providing comprehensive veterinary parasitology training.

Against it

Programme is specialised in veterinary parasitology, which may limit career flexibility compared to broader veterinary science programmes.
Limited number of universities offer this specific programme, with most offering it through veterinary faculties only.
UoN's programme is relatively expensive at KES 398,500/year compared to other master's programmes.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in veterinary research and animal health sectors, with limited private sector demand.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses

Public120k to 399k

120k at Kirinyaga University399k 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 ~398.5K/yr (vetpathology.uonbi.ac.ke). Kirinyaga & private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. WAAVP Africa Network provides scholarships for veterinary parasitology training in Africa, including tuition, research materials, and stipend. FAO supports animal health capacity building. The programme's veterinary importance attracts animal health donor funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
WAAVP-AN Scholarships
FAO Animal Health Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate veterinary parasitology studies at recognised universities.
WAAVP-AN MSc Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
WAAVP Africa Network provides MSc scholarships for veterinary parasitology training, including tuition, research materials, data collection expenses, and living stipend for 2 years.
FAO Animal Health Grants
GrantKsh 400,000
FAO supports animal health capacity building, providing grants for postgraduate training and research in veterinary parasitology and animal disease control.

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 veterinary, medical, and biological science graduates. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time study modes at UoN. UoN's programme consists of Part I with ten taught course units (nine compulsory, one elective) in year one and Part II with research project and thesis. Each course has 60 contact hours. Intake in September. Application fee KES 3,000 for masters at UoN.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, parasite identification exercises, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering veterinary parasitology, helminthology, protozoology, and diagnostic techniques, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of practical skills including parasite identification, microscopy, molecular techniques, field surveillance, and laboratory reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an applied veterinary parasitology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN offers MSc in Applied Veterinary Parasitology through its Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate veterinary parasitology training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MSc in Applied Veterinary Parasitology through its Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate veterinary parasitology training.
Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA)
Professional accreditation
KVA is the professional association for veterinarians in Kenya. Graduates working in veterinary parasitology may benefit from KVA membership and professional certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Veterinary Parasitologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts veterinary parasitology research, identifying animal parasites, developing diagnostics, and contributing to parasitic disease control in research institutions.
Animal Health Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts animal health research in parasitology, developing parasite control technologies, and contributing to livestock health improvement.
Diagnostic Laboratory Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages veterinary diagnostic laboratories, overseeing parasitology diagnostics, quality control, and ensuring laboratory compliance with standards.
Parasitic Disease Control Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages parasitic disease control programmes, implementing parasite surveillance, treatment strategies, and prevention programmes for livestock.
Veterinary Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Consults on veterinary parasitology, advising farmers, veterinary organisations, and government on parasite control and animal health management.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches veterinary parasitology in universities, conducting research and training future veterinary professionals and animal scientists.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as veterinary parasitologists, animal health researchers, and diagnostic laboratory managers in veterinary faculties, research institutions, and animal health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Light Microscope
EquipmentPrimary
Light microscope for parasite identification, examining faecal samples, blood smears, and tissue sections for veterinary parasitology diagnosis.
PCR Machine
EquipmentPrimary
PCR machine for molecular veterinary parasitology, amplifying parasite DNA for diagnosis, taxonomy, and drug resistance research.
SPSS/R for Data Analysis
Software
Statistical analysis software for veterinary parasitology research, analysing epidemiological data, and conducting animal health research.
Centrifuge
Equipment
Centrifuge for separating parasite samples, concentrating parasites from clinical samples, and preparing specimens for microscopy.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Veterinary parasitology is just about deworming animals.
Veterinary parasitology involves complex parasite biology, molecular diagnostics, epidemiology, drug resistance, and research, far beyond deworming.
There is limited demand for veterinary parasitologists in Kenya.
Kenya's livestock sector faces significant parasitic disease challenges including tick-borne diseases, trypanosomiasis, and helminth infections, creating demand for qualified parasitologists.
This programme is only for veterinary graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from veterinary medicine, medicine, dentistry, nursing, animal health, animal science, zoology, microbiology, and biological sciences.
Parasite control is straightforward with modern drugs.
Drug resistance is a growing challenge in veterinary parasitology, requiring research into new control methods and integrated parasite management.
Veterinary parasitology is less important than medical parasitology.
Veterinary parasitology is critical for livestock production, food security, and zoonotic disease control, with many parasites affecting both animals and humans.
This programme has limited career options.
Graduates pursue diverse careers in veterinary research, animal health, diagnostics, pharmaceutical industry, academia, and international animal health organisations.