Media & Communication

Master of Science in Mass Communication

The Master of Science in Mass Communication is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in media, journalism, public relations, and communication management. The programme combines communication theory with practical media skills, research methods, and strategic communication.

Core areas include mass communication theory, media studies, journalism, public relations, communication research, media law and ethics, digital media, communication management, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, projects, media production, and research.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology through the Karen Campus. JKUAT is a public university offering the programme over four semesters through part-time modes including evenings, Saturdays, and weekends.

Students develop competencies in media analysis, communication strategy, journalism, public relations, digital media, and communication research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, projects, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates to address complex communication challenges in a dynamic media environment.

JKUAT charges KES 126,000/year for MSc Mass Communication. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Mass Communication or a relevant discipline from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as media managers, communication directors, public relations managers, journalists, media consultants, and lecturers in mass communication across media houses, PR firms, corporate communications, government agencies, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

Mass Communication Theory and Practice
Media Analysis and Criticism
Journalism and News Production
Public Relations and Corporate Communication
Digital Media and Social Media Strategy
Communication Research Methods
Media Law and Ethics
Strategic Communication Management
Crisis Communication
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Mass Communication Theory
Media Studies and Analysis
Journalism and News Production
Public Relations and Corporate Communication
Digital Media and Social Media
Communication Research Methods
Media Law and Ethics
Strategic Communication Management
Development Communication
Thesis Research

Certifications

MCK Media Accreditation
PRSK Professional Certification

Specializations

Journalism and Media Studies

Focuses on journalism and media studies, covering reporting, editing, production, analysis, and managing journalism.

Public Relations

Examines public relations, covering strategy, corporate communication, reputation, crisis, and managing PR.

Digital Media

Covers digital media, covering social media, content, analytics, strategy, and managing digital media.

Communication Management

Focuses on communication management, covering strategy, planning, leadership, evaluation, and managing communication.

Development Communication

Examines development communication, covering practice, policy, advocacy, community, and managing development communication.

Media Law and Ethics

Covers media law and ethics, covering law, regulation, ethics, standards, and managing media law and ethics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Part-time, Evening, Weekend
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Mass Communication Theory
Media Studies and Analysis
Journalism and News Production
Public Relations and Corporate Communication
Digital Media and Social Media
Communication Research Methods
Media Law and Ethics
Strategic Communication Management
Development Communication
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Mass Communication Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines theories, models, effects, audiences, and understanding mass communication.
Media Studies and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers analysis, criticism, trends, platforms, and analysing media.
Communication Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Journalism and News Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines reporting, editing, production, ethics, and managing journalism.
Public Relations and Corporate Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers strategy, corporate communication, reputation, crisis, and managing PR.
Digital Media and Social Media Strategy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines social media, content, analytics, strategy, and managing digital media.
Media Law and Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers law, regulation, ethics, standards, and managing media law and ethics.
Strategic Communication Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines strategy, planning, leadership, evaluation, and managing communication.
Development Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers practice, policy, advocacy, community, and managing development communication.
Crisis Communication Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines crisis, communication, management, strategy, and managing crisis communication.
Media Management and Leadership
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers management, leadership, operations, strategy, and managing media organisations.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a mass communication topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and communication knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Journalism and Media Studies
Focuses on journalism and media studies, covering reporting, editing, production, analysis, and managing journalism.
Public Relations
Examines public relations, covering strategy, corporate communication, reputation, crisis, and managing PR.
Digital Media
Covers digital media, covering social media, content, analytics, strategy, and managing digital media.
Communication Management
Focuses on communication management, covering strategy, planning, leadership, evaluation, and managing communication.
Development Communication
Examines development communication, covering practice, policy, advocacy, community, and managing development communication.
Media Law and Ethics
Covers media law and ethics, covering law, regulation, ethics, standards, and managing media law and ethics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Mass Communication programme combines lectures, case studies, media production, project work, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover mass communication theory, media studies, journalism, public relations, and digital media. Mass communication theory sessions examine theories, models, effects, audiences, and understanding communication. Media studies sessions cover analysis, criticism, trends, platforms, and analysing media. Journalism sessions cover reporting, editing, production, ethics, and managing journalism. Public relations sessions cover strategy, corporate communication, reputation, crisis, and managing PR. Digital media sessions cover social media, content, analytics, strategy, and managing digital media. Communication research sessions cover design, data, analysis, methods, and conducting research. Media law sessions cover law, regulation, ethics, standards, and managing media law. Strategic communication sessions cover strategy, planning, leadership, evaluation, and managing communication. Development communication sessions cover practice, policy, advocacy, community, and managing development communication. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Media production provides hands-on experience with radio, television, print, and digital media. Case studies provide opportunities to analyse real-world communication scenarios and develop solutions. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and debating current issues in mass communication. Guest lectures from experienced journalists, PR directors, and media managers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a mass communication topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for communication professionals with Kenya's growing media landscape and digital economy.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at KES 126,000/year.
Programme offered through flexible part-time modes (evenings, Saturdays, weekends).
Graduates are eligible for MCK media accreditation and PRSK professional certification.

Against it

Only one university (JKUAT, public) confirmed offering this specific MSc programme.
No private university confirmed offering this specific MSc programme.
Programme offered only part-time, which may not suit full-time students.
Programme requires communication or related background, limiting access for non-related graduates.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 106 media & communication courses

Public126k to 221k

126k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology221k 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

JKUAT 126K/yr (kenyaplex). UoN 220.5K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible students. MCK may offer bursaries for media education. Some media houses, PR firms, and industry bodies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Scholarship
MCK Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 126,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
MCK Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
MCK may offer bursaries for media education and professional development.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Mass Communication or equivalent. Lower Second Class in a relevant discipline may be considered with at least three years of working experience. Contact JKUAT for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, media projects, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering mass communication theory, media studies, journalism, and PR.
Media Project Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through media production projects, campaigns, case studies, and demonstrating communication skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a mass communication topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and communication knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (public) offers MSc in Mass Communication through Karen Campus. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in mass communication. Graduates are eligible for MCK media accreditation and PRSK professional certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (public) offers MSc in Mass Communication through Karen Campus. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in mass communication. Graduates are eligible for MCK media accreditation and PRSK professional certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Media Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages media operations, overseeing content, production, strategy, and managing media organisations.
Communication Director
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Directs communication operations, overseeing strategy, corporate, PR, and managing communication.
Public Relations Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages PR operations, overseeing strategy, corporate communication, reputation, and managing PR.
Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 350,000
Produces news content, overseeing reporting, editing, production, and managing journalism.
Media Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides media consulting, overseeing advisory, assessment, strategy, and managing consulting.
Mass Communication Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches mass communication at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Creative Suite
SoftwarePrimary
Adobe Creative Suite for media production, covering design, editing, production, and managing media content.
Google Analytics
Software
Google Analytics for digital media analytics, covering data, metrics, analysis, and managing digital media data.
Hootsuite
Software
Hootsuite for social media management, covering scheduling, analytics, monitoring, and managing social media.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering data, statistics, analysis, and managing research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mass communication is just about journalism.
Mass communication covers comprehensive media, PR, digital, strategy, and management beyond just journalism.
This programme is only for media professionals.
Communication skills are valuable for corporate managers, marketers, politicians, and educators beyond just media professionals.
Digital media is just about social media.
Digital media covers comprehensive content, analytics, strategy, automation, and management beyond just social media.
Public relations is just about press releases.
Public relations covers comprehensive strategy, corporate communication, reputation, crisis, and management beyond just press releases.
Media law is only for lawyers.
Media law is essential for all communication professionals to understand regulation, ethics, and compliance.
Mass communication careers are declining in Kenya.
Kenya's growing media landscape and digital economy create high demand for communication professionals across sectors.