Science

Master of Science in Community Studies and Extension

The Master of Science in Community Studies and Extension is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in community studies, extension services, and community development. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in community development, extension services, research, and rural development.

Core areas include community studies, extension education, community development, rural sociology, participatory development, project management, community mobilisation, communication for development, livelihoods analysis, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical community engagement applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Chuka University and Egerton University as colleges. Egerton offers the programme through its Faculty of Education and Community Studies at Njoro Campus, and also offers PhD in Community Studies and Extension.

Students develop competencies in community analysis, extension programme design, community mobilisation, participatory development, project management, communication, livelihoods analysis, research, and policy development. The programme includes coursework, community field work, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. Egerton requires Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with two years work experience. Application fee is KES 2,000 at Egerton.

Graduates pursue careers as community development specialists, extension officers, project managers, researchers, consultants, and lecturers in government agencies, NGOs, community organisations, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Community Studies and Analysis
Extension Education and Programme Design
Community Development Planning
Participatory Development Methods
Community Mobilisation and Engagement
Project Management for Community Development
Communication for Development
Livelihoods Analysis
Rural Sociology
Community Development Research Methods

Key Subjects

Community Studies
Extension Education
Community Development
Rural Sociology
Participatory Development
Project Management
Community Mobilisation
Communication for Development
Livelihoods Analysis
Community Development Research Methods

Certifications

IACD Professional Membership
Kenya Institute of Management Certification

Specializations

Community Development

Focuses on community development, development planning, community projects, and designing and implementing community development interventions.

Extension Education

Examines extension education, extension programme design, extension methods, and delivering extension services to communities.

Rural Sociology

Covers rural sociology, rural communities, social change, rural livelihoods, and understanding social dynamics in rural communities.

Participatory Development

Focuses on participatory development, community participation, participatory methods, and engaging communities in development processes.

Community Mobilisation

Examines community mobilisation, community organising, community engagement, and mobilising communities for collective action and development.

Project Management

Covers project management for community development, project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and managing community development projects.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 163,000
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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Community Studies
Extension Education
Community Development
Rural Sociology
Participatory Development
Project Management
Community Mobilisation
Communication for Development
Livelihoods Analysis
Community Development Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Community Studies and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines community studies, community analysis, community profiling, social structures, and understanding communities and their dynamics.
Extension Education and Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers extension education, extension programme design, extension methods, extension communication, and delivering extension services to communities.
Community Development Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines community development theories, development planning, community projects, and designing and implementing community development interventions.
Rural Sociology and Social Change
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers rural sociology, rural communities, social change, rural livelihoods, and understanding social dynamics in rural communities.
Participatory Development Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines participatory development, participatory methods, PRA techniques, community participation, and engaging communities in development processes.
Community Mobilisation and Engagement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers community mobilisation, community organising, community engagement, collective action, and mobilising communities for development.
Project Management for Community Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines project management for community development, project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and managing community development projects.
Communication for Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers development communication, communication strategies, communication for development, and using communication for community development.
Livelihoods Analysis and Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines livelihoods frameworks, livelihoods assessment, household livelihoods, and understanding and analysing community livelihoods.
Community Development Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for community development, experimental design, data analysis, and conducting community research, preparing students for their thesis.
Community Development Policy and Practice
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines community development policy, policy analysis, development frameworks, and developing and implementing community development policies.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a community studies and extension topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and community development knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Community Development
Focuses on community development, development planning, community projects, and designing and implementing community development interventions.
Extension Education
Examines extension education, extension programme design, extension methods, and delivering extension services to communities.
Rural Sociology
Covers rural sociology, rural communities, social change, rural livelihoods, and understanding social dynamics in rural communities.
Participatory Development
Focuses on participatory development, community participation, participatory methods, and engaging communities in development processes.
Community Mobilisation
Examines community mobilisation, community organising, community engagement, and mobilising communities for collective action and development.
Project Management
Covers project management for community development, project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and managing community development projects.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Community Studies and Extension programme begins with morning lectures on community studies, extension education, or community development. Students engage in theoretical discussions on community dynamics, development theories, and extension approaches. Community studies sessions cover community analysis, community profiling, social structures, and understanding communities and their dynamics. Extension education sessions examine extension programme design, extension methods, extension communication, and delivering extension services to communities. Community development sessions cover development planning, community projects, development theories, and designing and implementing community development interventions. Rural sociology sessions examine rural communities, social change, rural livelihoods, and understanding social dynamics in rural communities. Participatory development sessions involve participatory methods, PRA techniques, community participation, and engaging communities in development processes. Community mobilisation sessions cover community organising, community engagement, collective action, and mobilising communities for development. Project management sessions involve project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and managing community development projects. Communication for development sessions examine development communication, communication strategies, and using communication for community development. Livelihoods analysis sessions cover livelihoods frameworks, livelihoods assessment, and understanding and analysing community livelihoods. Community field work provides hands-on experience in community engagement, extension service delivery, and development project implementation. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering community development research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from community development practitioners, extension officers, NGO project managers, and government officials provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Egerton University offers both MSc and PhD in Community Studies and Extension through its established Faculty of Education and Community Studies.
Kenya's devolution, community development needs, and NGO sector growth create moderate demand for qualified community development professionals.
Programme combines community studies, extension education, and development practice, providing comprehensive community development training.
Career opportunities with government agencies, NGOs, community organisations, UNDP, and international development organisations.

Against it

Programme may be perceived as less prestigious than economics or business programmes, potentially affecting career advancement in some sectors.
Programme requires field work and community engagement, which may be challenging for students without transportation or in remote areas.
Specific fee structures could not be independently verified from all official websites.
Limited number of institutions offering the programme may restrict geographic access for prospective students.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public131k to 163k

131k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology163k at Kirinyaga 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

MMUST ~131K/yr (mmust.ac.ke). Kirinyaga ~163K/yr (kyu.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UNDP supports community development and capacity building. IACD provides grants for community development research and practice. The programme's community development focus attracts donor and NGO funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UNDP Development Funding
IACD Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate community studies and extension at recognised universities.
UNDP Development Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
UNDP supports community development and capacity building, providing funding for development training and research in community development.
IACD Grants
GrantKsh 300,000
International Association for Community Development provides grants for community development research, practice, and capacity building.

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 social science, education, agriculture, and community development graduates. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time options. Egerton requires Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with 2 years work experience. Application fee KES 2,000 at Egerton, payable to KCB Account No. 1101906812. Egerton also offers PhD in Community Studies and Extension.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, community analysis projects, development project design, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering community studies, extension education, community development, and project management, conducted at end of each semester.
Community Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of community field work including community engagement, extension service delivery, development project implementation, and field reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a community studies and extension topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and community development knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Egerton University offers MSc and PhD in Community Studies and Extension through its Faculty of Education and Community Studies at Njoro Campus. Chuka University also offers the programme. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate community studies and extension training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Egerton University offers MSc and PhD in Community Studies and Extension through its Faculty of Education and Community Studies. Chuka University also offers the programme. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate community studies and extension training.
Kenya Institute of Management (KIM)
Professional accreditation
KIM provides professional management certification relevant to community development and project management practice in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Community Development Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs and implements community development programmes, conducting community analysis, and supporting development interventions in government agencies and NGOs.
Extension Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Delivers extension services to communities, providing education, technical support, and facilitating community development through extension programmes.
Project Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages community development projects, overseeing design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring effective project delivery.
Community Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts community research, studying community dynamics, evaluating development interventions, and contributing to community development knowledge.
Development Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consults on community development projects, providing expert advice to NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations on development interventions.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches community studies and extension in universities, conducting research and training future community development professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as community development specialists, extension officers, and project managers in government agencies, NGOs, and community organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for community development research data analysis, social research, and statistical modelling in community studies.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for community research, analysing interviews, focus groups, and qualitative data in community studies.
Participatory Tools (PRA/PLA)
Tools
Participatory Rural Appraisal and Participatory Learning and Action tools for community engagement, participatory assessment, and community analysis.
R Statistical Computing
Software
Open-source statistical computing environment for community research data analysis, social statistics, and research data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Community studies and extension is just about volunteer work.
The programme involves rigorous social science research, development theory, project management, extension methodology, and policy analysis, far beyond volunteer work.
Extension is only about agriculture.
While agricultural extension is a key area, community studies and extension covers health extension, education extension, livelihoods extension, and broader community development extension.
There is limited demand for community development specialists in Kenya.
Kenya's devolution, community development needs, NGO sector growth, and rural development challenges create moderate demand for qualified community development professionals.
This programme is only for social science graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from sociology, education, agriculture, community development, social work, and related fields with community engagement background.
Community studies and extension is less rigorous than other social science programmes.
The programme requires strong research skills, participatory methods, project management, and understanding of complex social dynamics and development processes.
A master's in community studies is redundant after a bachelor's in sociology or community development.
The master's provides advanced research skills, extension methodology, project management capability, and career progression to senior development and research positions.