Business

Master of Science in Home Economics

The Master of Science in Home Economics is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in family and consumer sciences, community resource management, nutrition, textiles, and human development. The programme combines home economics theory with practical community engagement, resource management, and research application.

Core areas include family and consumer sciences, community resource management, food and nutrition, textiles and clothing, human development, household economics, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, field work, and research.

The programme is closely related to Kenyatta University's MSc in Community Resource Management, which accepts graduates with Bachelor's degrees in Home Economics, Family and Consumer Sciences, or related fields. KU is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time, part-time, and school-based modes of study.

Students develop competencies in family resource management, community development, consumer education, and household economics. The programme includes coursework, examinations, field work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates to address contemporary family and community challenges.

Kenyatta University charges approximately KES 326,400/year for the related MSc in Community Resource Management programme. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division in Home Economics, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community Resource Management, or related fields from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as community development officers, family resource managers, consumer educators, nutrition consultants, textile designers, and lecturers in home economics across government ministries, NGOs, community organisations, educational institutions, and private sector.

Skills Required

Family and Consumer Sciences Management
Community Resource Management and Development
Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Textiles, Clothing and Design
Human Development and Family Studies
Household Economics and Financial Management
Consumer Education and Advocacy
Community Needs Assessment and Programme Planning
Research Methods in Home Economics
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Family and Consumer Sciences Management
Community Resource Management and Development
Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Textiles, Clothing and Design
Human Development and Family Studies
Household Economics and Financial Management
Consumer Education and Advocacy
Community Needs Assessment and Programme Planning
Research Methods in Home Economics
Thesis Research

Certifications

IFHE Home Economics Certification
KNDI Nutrition Certification

Specializations

Family and Consumer Sciences

Focuses on family and consumer sciences, covering management, resources, development, education, and managing family resources.

Community Resource Management

Examines community resources, covering assessment, management, development, extension, and managing community resources.

Food and Nutrition

Covers food and nutrition, covering dietetics, food science, nutrition, safety, and managing food and nutrition.

Textiles and Clothing

Focuses on textiles and clothing, covering design, production, marketing, technology, and managing textiles.

Human Development

Examines human development, covering family, child, adolescent, ageing, and managing human development.

Household Economics

Covers household economics, covering budgeting, finance, management, planning, and managing household economics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
Private, up to: Ksh 700,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, School-based
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Family and Consumer Sciences Management
Community Resource Management and Development
Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Textiles, Clothing and Design
Human Development and Family Studies
Household Economics and Financial Management
Consumer Education and Advocacy
Community Needs Assessment and Programme Planning
Research Methods in Home Economics
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Home Economics and Family Sciences
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines home economics concepts, theories, history, family sciences, and managing home economics foundations.
Community Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers assessment, management, development, extension, participation, and managing community resources.
Research Methods in Home Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, home economics research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines dietetics, food science, nutrition, safety, meal planning, and managing food and nutrition.
Human Development and Family Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers family, child, adolescent, ageing, relationships, and managing human development.
Textiles, Clothing and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines design, production, marketing, technology, sustainability, and managing textiles.
Household Economics and Financial Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers budgeting, finance, management, planning, investment, and managing household economics.
Consumer Education and Advocacy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines rights, protection, advocacy, literacy, policy, and managing consumer education.
Community Needs Assessment and Programme Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and managing community programmes.
Family Counselling and Therapy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines counselling, therapy, conflict, communication, and managing family counselling.
Sustainable Living and Environmental Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sustainability, environment, energy, waste, conservation, and managing sustainable living.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a home economics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and home economics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Family and Consumer Sciences
Focuses on family and consumer sciences, covering management, resources, development, education, and managing family resources.
Community Resource Management
Examines community resources, covering assessment, management, development, extension, and managing community resources.
Food and Nutrition
Covers food and nutrition, covering dietetics, food science, nutrition, safety, and managing food and nutrition.
Textiles and Clothing
Focuses on textiles and clothing, covering design, production, marketing, technology, and managing textiles.
Human Development
Examines human development, covering family, child, adolescent, ageing, and managing human development.
Household Economics
Covers household economics, covering budgeting, finance, management, planning, and managing household economics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Home Economics programme combines lectures, seminars, field work, practical workshops, and independent study. Sessions cover family and consumer sciences, community resource management, food and nutrition, textiles, and human development. Family and consumer sciences sessions examine management, resources, development, education, and managing family resources. Community resource sessions cover assessment, management, development, extension, and managing community resources. Food and nutrition sessions cover dietetics, food science, nutrition, safety, and managing food and nutrition. Textiles sessions cover design, production, marketing, technology, and managing textiles. Human development sessions cover family, child, adolescent, ageing, and managing human development. Household economics sessions cover budgeting, finance, management, planning, and managing household economics. Consumer education sessions cover rights, protection, advocacy, literacy, and managing consumer education. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and debating current issues in home economics. Field work provides hands-on experience with community needs assessment, family resource management, and programme evaluation. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with food preparation, textile design, and consumer education materials. Guest lectures from experienced home economists, community workers, and family therapists provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a home economics topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme provides versatile skills applicable across education, community development, nutrition, textiles, and consumer advocacy.
KU offers the related programme at competitive public university fees of approximately KES 326,400/year.
Multiple study modes available including full-time, part-time, and school-based for working professionals.
Graduates are eligible for IFHE and KNDI certifications, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

No Kenyan university confirmed offering a programme specifically named 'MSc in Home Economics'; closest is KU's MSc in Community Resource Management.
Moderate job market demand compared to other fields, with limited specialised roles.
Only one university (KU, public) confirmed offering a closely related programme.
Field is evolving and may require additional qualifications for career advancement in specific sectors.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public326k to 326k

326k at Kenyatta University326k at Kenyatta University

Private119k to 700k

119k at Mount Kenya University700k at Strathmore 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

KU 326.4K/yr (KU MSc Community Resource Mgt). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer scholarships for eligible students. IFHE may offer grants for home economics research. Some NGOs and government agencies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Scholarship
IFHE Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KU Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyatta University offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
IFHE Grant
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
IFHE provides grants for home economics research and education.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Kenyatta University requires at least Second Class Honours Upper Division in Community Resource Management, Family and Consumer Sciences, Home Economics, or related fields. Lower Second Division considered with two years of relevant work experience. Contact the university for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, field reports, seminar presentations, practical work, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering home economics, community resource management, nutrition, and family sciences.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through field work, community assessment, food preparation, textile design, and demonstrating home economics skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a home economics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and home economics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University (public) offers the closely related MSc in Community Resource Management through the School of Health Sciences, which accepts Home Economics graduates. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in community resource management and family sciences. Graduates are eligible for IFHE home economics certification and KNDI nutrition certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University (public) offers the closely related MSc in Community Resource Management through the School of Health Sciences, which accepts Home Economics graduates. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in community resource management and family sciences. Graduates are eligible for IFHE home economics certification and KNDI nutrition certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages community development programmes, overseeing assessment, planning, implementation, and managing community development.
Family Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages family resources, overseeing budgeting, planning, counselling, and managing family resources.
Consumer Educator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides consumer education, overseeing rights, protection, advocacy, literacy, and managing consumer education.
Nutrition Consultant
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides nutrition consulting, overseeing assessment, counselling, planning, and managing nutrition consulting.
Textile Designer
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs textile products, overseeing design, production, marketing, and managing textile design.
Home Economics Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches home economics 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 data, statistics, analysis, and managing home economics research data.
Nutritional Analysis Software
Software
Nutritional analysis software for dietetics, covering meal planning, analysis, and managing nutrition data.
Adobe Creative Suite
Software
Adobe Creative Suite for textile design, covering graphics, patterns, design, and managing textile design.
Excel
Software
Excel for household economics, covering budgeting, finance, planning, and managing household finances.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Home economics is just about cooking and sewing.
Home economics covers comprehensive family sciences, community resources, nutrition, textiles, human development, and consumer education beyond just cooking and sewing.
This programme is only for women.
Home economics skills are valuable for all genders, with career opportunities in community development, education, nutrition, and management.
Home economics is outdated.
Home economics has evolved into family and consumer sciences, addressing contemporary issues like food security, family dynamics, consumer protection, and sustainable living.
Community resource management is just about charity.
Community resource management covers comprehensive assessment, planning, development, management, and evaluation beyond just charity.
Consumer education is just about shopping.
Consumer education covers comprehensive rights, protection, advocacy, literacy, and policy beyond just shopping.
This programme has limited career prospects.
Home economics graduates work in diverse sectors including education, community development, nutrition, textiles, government, NGOs, and private sector.