Social Sciences

Master of Science in Conflict Resolution and Conflict Management

The Master of Science in Conflict Resolution and Conflict Management is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, mediation, and dispute resolution. The programme combines conflict theory with practical negotiation, mediation, and peacebuilding application.

Core areas include conflict analysis, peace and conflict theory, mediation and negotiation, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, international conflict, gender and conflict, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both conflict theory and practical case study and field application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by JKUAT, Moi University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. All are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in conflict analysis, peace and conflict theory, mediation and negotiation, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, international conflict, gender and conflict, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, case studies, fieldwork, and a supervised research thesis.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for social science programmes. Moi University charges approximately KES 250,000/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in peace studies, conflict management, international relations, social sciences, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as conflict resolution officers, peacebuilding consultants, mediators, dispute resolution specialists, policy analysts, and lecturers in conflict resolution across government agencies, NGOs, international organisations, peacebuilding missions, and universities.

Skills Required

Conflict Analysis and Mapping
Mediation and Negotiation Techniques
Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation
International Conflict and Security Studies
Gender, Conflict and Peacebuilding
Dialogue Facilitation and Communication
Conflict Early Warning and Prevention
Research Methods in Conflict Studies
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Conflict Analysis and Mapping
Mediation and Negotiation Techniques
Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation
International Conflict and Security Studies
Gender, Conflict and Peacebuilding
Dialogue Facilitation and Communication
Conflict Early Warning and Prevention
Research Methods in Conflict Studies
Thesis Research

Certifications

NCIC Conflict Resolution Certification
UN Peacebuilding Professional Certification

Specializations

Mediation and Negotiation

Focuses on mediation and negotiation, covering mediation techniques, negotiation strategies, facilitation, dispute resolution, and managing mediation processes.

Peacebuilding

Examines peacebuilding, covering post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, transitional justice, peace agreements, and managing peacebuilding.

International Conflict

Covers international conflict, covering interstate conflict, security studies, diplomacy, international law, and managing international conflict.

Gender and Conflict

Focuses on gender and conflict, covering gender-based violence, women in peacebuilding, gender analysis, and managing gender-sensitive conflict resolution.

Conflict Transformation

Examines conflict transformation, covering structural conflict, identity conflict, reconciliation, social change, and managing conflict transformation.

Community Dispute Resolution

Covers community dispute resolution, covering land disputes, resource conflicts, community mediation, traditional justice, and managing community disputes.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Private, up to: Ksh 331,200
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: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Conflict Analysis and Mapping
Mediation and Negotiation Techniques
Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation
International Conflict and Security Studies
Gender, Conflict and Peacebuilding
Dialogue Facilitation and Communication
Conflict Early Warning and Prevention
Research Methods in Conflict Studies
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Conflict Analysis and Mapping
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conflict causes, dynamics, mapping, stakeholders, power analysis, and managing conflict analysis.
Mediation and Negotiation Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers mediation techniques, negotiation strategies, facilitation, interest-based bargaining, and managing mediation processes.
Research Methods in Conflict Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, qualitative methods, and conducting conflict research, preparing students for their thesis.
Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, transitional justice, peace agreements, and managing peacebuilding.
Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers structural conflict, identity conflict, reconciliation, social change, and managing conflict transformation.
International Conflict and Security Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines interstate conflict, security studies, diplomacy, international law, terrorism, and managing international conflict.
Gender, Conflict and Peacebuilding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers gender-based violence, women in peacebuilding, gender analysis, UNSCR 1325, and managing gender-sensitive conflict resolution.
Dialogue Facilitation and Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines communication, active listening, dialogue design, group facilitation, and managing dialogue processes.
Conflict Early Warning and Prevention
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers early warning systems, conflict prevention, risk assessment, response, indicators, and managing conflict prevention.
Community Dispute Resolution and Traditional Justice
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines land disputes, resource conflicts, community mediation, traditional justice, and managing community disputes.
Electoral Conflict and Governance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers electoral conflicts, election violence, governance, democracy, and managing electoral conflict.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a conflict resolution and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and conflict knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Mediation and Negotiation
Focuses on mediation and negotiation, covering mediation techniques, negotiation strategies, facilitation, dispute resolution, and managing mediation processes.
Peacebuilding
Examines peacebuilding, covering post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, transitional justice, peace agreements, and managing peacebuilding.
International Conflict
Covers international conflict, covering interstate conflict, security studies, diplomacy, international law, and managing international conflict.
Gender and Conflict
Focuses on gender and conflict, covering gender-based violence, women in peacebuilding, gender analysis, and managing gender-sensitive conflict resolution.
Conflict Transformation
Examines conflict transformation, covering structural conflict, identity conflict, reconciliation, social change, and managing conflict transformation.
Community Dispute Resolution
Covers community dispute resolution, covering land disputes, resource conflicts, community mediation, traditional justice, and managing community disputes.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Conflict Resolution and Conflict Management programme combines lectures, case study discussions, practical workshops, field visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover conflict analysis, mediation, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation. Conflict analysis sessions examine conflict causes, dynamics, mapping, stakeholders, and managing conflict analysis. Mediation and negotiation sessions cover mediation techniques, negotiation strategies, facilitation, interest-based bargaining, and managing mediation processes. Peacebuilding sessions cover post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, transitional justice, peace agreements, and managing peacebuilding. Conflict transformation sessions cover structural conflict, identity conflict, reconciliation, social change, and managing conflict transformation. International conflict sessions cover interstate conflict, security studies, diplomacy, international law, and managing international conflict. Gender and conflict sessions cover gender-based violence, women in peacebuilding, gender analysis, and managing gender-sensitive conflict resolution. Dialogue facilitation sessions cover communication, active listening, dialogue design, group facilitation, and managing dialogue processes. Conflict early warning sessions cover early warning systems, conflict prevention, risk assessment, response, and managing conflict prevention. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Case study discussions provide opportunities for analysing real conflicts in Kenya, East Africa, and globally. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with mediation role-plays, negotiation simulations, and dialogue facilitation. Field visits to conflict-affected areas, peacebuilding organisations, and community dispute resolution forums provide real-world exposure. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in conflict resolution. Guest lectures from experienced mediators, peacebuilders, and conflict resolution professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a conflict resolution and management topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for conflict resolution professionals with devolution, electoral conflicts, resource conflicts, land disputes, and community tensions in Kenya.
Programme offered by three public universities (JKUAT, Moi, MMUST), providing institutional choice.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 178,500/year for social science programmes.
Graduates are eligible for NCIC conflict resolution certification and UN Peacebuilding professional certification, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

Moi University fees estimated at approximately KES 250,000/year, not independently verified.
MMUST fees not independently verified, requiring prospective students to confirm directly.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in NGOs and government, 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 241 social sciences courses

Public179k to 187k

179k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology187k at Moi University

Private130k to 331k

130k at Mount Kenya University331k at Daystar 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 ~187K/yr. JKUAT ~178.5K/yr. MKU 130K. Daystar 331K/yr. Src: eafinder.com, jkuat.ac.ke

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. NCIC and peacebuilding organisations may provide training support. Some international organisations and NGOs may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
NCIC Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
NCIC Training Support
GrantKsh 150,000Kenyan
NCIC and partner organisations may provide training support for conflict resolution professionals.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in peace studies, conflict management, international relations, or social sciences. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case study analyses, seminar presentations, field reports, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering conflict analysis, mediation, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and international conflict.
Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through mediation role-plays, negotiation simulations, dialogue facilitation, and demonstrating conflict resolution skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a conflict resolution and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and conflict knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT, Moi University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (all public) offer MSc in Conflict Resolution and Conflict Management. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in conflict resolution and management. Graduates are eligible for NCIC conflict resolution certification and UN Peacebuilding professional certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT, Moi University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (all public) offer MSc in Conflict Resolution and Conflict Management. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in conflict resolution and management. Graduates are eligible for NCIC conflict resolution certification and UN Peacebuilding professional certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Conflict Resolution Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages conflict resolution programmes, overseeing mediation, dialogue, prevention, and managing conflict resolution.
Peacebuilding Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides peacebuilding consulting, overseeing post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, and managing peacebuilding.
Mediator
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts mediation, overseeing dispute resolution, negotiation, facilitation, and managing mediation processes.
Dispute Resolution Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Specialises in dispute resolution, overseeing community disputes, land conflicts, workplace disputes, and managing dispute resolution.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses conflict policy, overseeing policy research, analysis, advocacy, and managing conflict policy.
Conflict Resolution Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches conflict resolution at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering survey data, conflict data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.
NVivo
Software
NVivo for qualitative data analysis, covering interviews, focus groups, conflict narratives, and managing qualitative data.
GIS
Software
GIS for conflict mapping, covering spatial analysis, conflict zones, resource mapping, and managing spatial data.
Python
Software
Python for data analysis, covering conflict data, early warning systems, text analysis, and managing research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Conflict resolution is just about stopping fights.
Conflict resolution covers comprehensive conflict analysis, mediation, peacebuilding, transformation, international conflict, and post-conflict reconstruction beyond just stopping fights.
This programme is only for those working in war zones.
Conflict resolution skills are valuable for community disputes, workplace conflicts, land disputes, electoral conflicts, family mediation, and organisational disputes beyond just war zones.
Conflict resolution has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With devolution, electoral conflicts, resource conflicts, land disputes, and community tensions, demand for conflict resolution professionals is steady in Kenya.
Mediation is just about getting people to talk.
Mediation covers comprehensive techniques, strategies, interest-based bargaining, power balancing, and process management.
Peacebuilding is just about signing peace agreements.
Peacebuilding covers comprehensive post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation, transitional justice, institution building, and long-term peace.
Conflict transformation is the same as conflict resolution.
Conflict transformation addresses structural root causes, identity issues, and social change, while conflict resolution focuses on ending immediate conflict.