Master of Science in Plant Pathology
The Master of Science in Plant Pathology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in plant disease diagnosis, management, and crop protection. The programme provides specialised training in plant pathology, mycology, plant virology, plant bacteriology, nematology, and biological control.
Core areas include plant pathology, plant nematology, plant virology, plant bacterial diseases, advanced mycology, applied mycology, seed pathology, biological control, taxonomy of fungi, research methodology, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, field work, and research.
The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Chuka University, and Egerton University. All are public universities offering plant pathology programmes over two years through full-time and part-time study, combining coursework with laboratory and field research.
Students develop competencies in plant disease diagnosis, pathogen identification, disease management, pesticide use, host-pathogen relationships, biological control, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory and field work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for agricultural research, crop protection, and academic roles.
Chuka University charges approximately KES 130,000 per year while the University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 435,000 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Botany, Agriculture, or a related plant science from a recognised institution.
Graduates pursue careers as plant pathologists, crop protection specialists, agricultural researchers, seed pathologists, extension officers, and lecturers across agricultural research institutions, seed companies, universities, government agencies, and NGOs.
Skills Required
- Plant Disease Diagnosis and Management
- Advanced Mycology and Fungal Pathogens
- Plant Virology and Viral Diseases
- Plant Bacteriology and Bacterial Diseases
- Plant Nematology and Nematode Management
- Biological Control of Plant Diseases
- Seed Pathology and Quality Testing
- Pesticide Use and Environmental Safety
- Research Methods in Plant Pathology
- Academic Writing and Thesis Research
Key Subjects
- Plant Pathology and Disease Management
- Advanced Mycology and Fungal Taxonomy
- Plant Virology and Viral Diseases
- Plant Bacteriology and Bacterial Diseases
- Plant Nematology and Nematode Management
- Seed Pathology and Quality Testing
- Biological Control of Plant Diseases
- Pesticide Use and Environmental Safety
- Research Methods in Plant Pathology
- Thesis Research
Certifications
- KEPHIS Plant Health Certification
- ISPP Professional Membership
Specializations
Mycology
Focuses on mycology, covering fungi, pathogens, identification, taxonomy, and managing fungal plant diseases.
Plant Virology
Examines plant virology, covering viruses, diseases, transmission, diagnosis, and managing viral plant diseases.
Plant Bacteriology
Covers plant bacteriology, covering bacteria, diseases, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing bacterial plant diseases.
Nematology
Focuses on nematology, covering nematodes, diseases, identification, management, and managing plant nematode diseases.
Seed Pathology
Examines seed pathology, covering seeds, pathogens, testing, quality, and managing seed-borne diseases.
Biological Control
Covers biological control, covering biocontrol, agents, pathogens, management, and managing biological control of plant diseases.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 435,000
- Private, up to
- Ksh 319,500
- Job market
- High
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- Plant Pathology and Disease Management
- Advanced Mycology and Fungal Taxonomy
- Plant Virology and Viral Diseases
- Plant Bacteriology and Bacterial Diseases
- Plant Nematology and Nematode Management
- Seed Pathology and Quality Testing
- Biological Control of Plant Diseases
- Pesticide Use and Environmental Safety
- Research Methods in Plant Pathology
- Thesis Research
Modules
12 in the programmeMethods and Techniques in Botany
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines methods, techniques, botany, identification, and managing methods and techniques in botany for plant pathology.
Biometry, Experimentation and Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers biometry, experimentation, methodology, statistics, and managing biometry and experimental methodology in plant pathology.
Plant Pathology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines plant diseases, pathogens, diagnosis, management, and managing plant pathology and disease management.
Plant Nematology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers nematodes, diseases, identification, management, and managing plant nematology and nematode diseases.
Plant Virology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines viruses, diseases, transmission, diagnosis, and managing plant virology and viral plant diseases.
Plant Bacterial Diseases
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers bacteria, diseases, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing plant bacterial diseases.
Advanced Mycology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines advanced mycology, fungi, pathogens, biology, and managing advanced mycology and fungal pathogens.
Applied Mycology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers applied mycology, fungi, applications, management, and managing applied mycology in plant disease control.
Seed Pathology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines seeds, pathogens, testing, quality, and managing seed pathology and seed-borne diseases.
Biological Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers biological control, biocontrol, agents, pathogens, and managing biological control of plant diseases.
Research Methodology and Proposal Writing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines research, methodology, proposal, writing, and conducting research in plant pathology, preparing students for their thesis.
Research Project and Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a plant pathology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant pathology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Specialisations
Mycology
Focuses on mycology, covering fungi, pathogens, identification, taxonomy, and managing fungal plant diseases.
Plant Virology
Examines plant virology, covering viruses, diseases, transmission, diagnosis, and managing viral plant diseases.
Plant Bacteriology
Covers plant bacteriology, covering bacteria, diseases, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing bacterial plant diseases.
Nematology
Focuses on nematology, covering nematodes, diseases, identification, management, and managing plant nematode diseases.
Seed Pathology
Examines seed pathology, covering seeds, pathogens, testing, quality, and managing seed-borne diseases.
Biological Control
Covers biological control, covering biocontrol, agents, pathogens, management, and managing biological control of plant diseases.
A day as a student
A typical day during the MSc in Plant Pathology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field work, seminars, group discussions, and independent study. Sessions cover plant pathology, mycology, plant virology, plant bacteriology, and nematology. Plant pathology sessions examine diseases, pathogens, diagnosis, management, and managing plant diseases. Mycology sessions cover fungi, pathogens, identification, taxonomy, and managing fungal plant diseases. Plant virology sessions cover viruses, diseases, transmission, diagnosis, and managing viral plant diseases. Plant bacteriology sessions cover bacteria, diseases, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing bacterial plant diseases. Nematology sessions cover nematodes, diseases, identification, management, and managing plant nematode diseases. Seed pathology sessions cover seeds, pathogens, testing, quality, and managing seed-borne diseases. Biological control sessions cover biocontrol, agents, pathogens, management, and managing biological control. Pesticide use sessions cover pesticides, use, safety, environment, and managing pesticide use and environmental safety. Research methods sessions cover research, design, methods, biometry, and conducting research in plant pathology. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in pathogen isolation, identification, culturing, and disease diagnosis. Field work provides practical experience in disease assessment, sampling, and field management. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current issues in plant pathology. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a plant pathology topic.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Programme directly addresses crop losses from plant diseases, a critical challenge for Kenya's food security.
- Programme offered at multiple public universities providing choice and flexibility.
- Graduates are eligible for KEPHIS plant health certification and ISPP professional membership.
- High job market demand for plant pathology professionals in Kenya's agricultural sector.
Against it
- No private university confirmed offering this exact programme name.
- Fees vary significantly, from KES 130,000/year at Chuka to KES 435,000/year at UoN.
- Laboratory and field work components require significant time commitment alongside coursework.
- Programme requires a relevant plant science or agriculture degree for entry.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health sciences coursesAnnual 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 ~435K/yr, Chuka ~130K/yr verified. USIU ~319.5K, MKU ~149.1K verified.
HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. KALRO may offer research grants for plant pathology and crop protection research. Some agricultural companies and international organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
KALRO Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Universities may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate plant pathology students.
KALRO Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KALRO may offer research grants for plant pathology and crop protection research.
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 at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Botany, Agriculture, or a related plant science. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant experience or evidence of research ability. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.
How you are assessed
4 componentsCoursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering plant pathology, mycology, plant virology, plant bacteriology, and nematology.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions and field work, demonstrating pathogen isolation, identification, culturing, and disease diagnosis.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a plant pathology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant pathology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Accreditation
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Chuka University, and Egerton University (all public) offer MSc in Plant Pathology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant pathology. Graduates may interact with KEPHIS for plant health certification and KALRO for research collaboration. The programme aligns with FAO global agriculture standards and ISPP plant pathology standards.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Chuka University, and Egerton University (all public) offer MSc in Plant Pathology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant pathology. Graduates may interact with KEPHIS for plant health certification and KALRO for research collaboration. The programme aligns with FAO global agriculture standards and ISPP plant pathology standards.
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Professional accreditation
KEPHIS regulates plant health and seed quality in Kenya. Graduates working in plant health inspection and seed certification should interact with KEPHIS.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesPlant Pathologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts plant pathology research, overseeing diseases, pathogens, diagnosis, and managing plant pathology research.
Crop Protection Specialist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages crop protection programmes, overseeing diseases, pests, control, and managing crop protection.
Agricultural Researcher
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts agricultural research, overseeing studies, experiments, publications, and managing agricultural research.
Seed Pathologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages seed pathology testing, overseeing seeds, pathogens, quality, and managing seed pathology.
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides agricultural extension services, overseeing advisory, training, farmers, and managing agricultural extension.
Plant Pathology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches plant pathology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as plant pathologists, crop protection specialists, agricultural researchers, seed pathologists, extension officers, and lecturers across agricultural research institutions, seed companies, universities, government agencies, and NGOs.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Career Guidance & Labour Market Information CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- School Guidance CounselorEducation17Low exposure
- CrystallographerScience19Low exposure
- StatisticsScience20Low exposure
- Motor Vehicle MechanicEducation21Low exposure
- MycologistScience21Low exposure
- OceanographerScience21Low exposure
- Computational BiologistScience22Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microscopy Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Microscopy equipment for pathogen identification and diagnosis, covering microscopy, staining, identification, and managing pathogen diagnostics.
Plant Disease Diagnostic Kits
Equipment
Plant disease diagnostic kits for field diagnosis, covering diagnosis, testing, identification, and managing field disease diagnosis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis of research data, covering statistics, analysis, research, and managing research data.
Molecular Diagnostics Equipment
Equipment
Molecular diagnostics equipment for pathogen DNA analysis, covering PCR, sequencing, diagnostics, and managing molecular plant pathology.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Plant pathology is just about identifying plant diseases.
Plant pathology covers comprehensive disease diagnosis, pathogen biology, host-pathogen interactions, disease management, and research beyond just identification.
This programme is only for farmers.
Plant pathology skills are valuable for researchers, extension officers, seed technologists, quarantine officers, and policy makers beyond just farmers.
Plant pathology is outdated in modern agriculture.
Plant pathology remains critical with emerging diseases, climate change impacts, pesticide resistance, and the need for sustainable disease management.
Plant diseases are not a serious problem in Kenya.
Plant diseases cause significant crop losses in Kenya, affecting food security and agricultural exports, making plant pathology highly relevant.
Biological control is ineffective compared to chemicals.
Biological control is an effective, environmentally friendly approach that is increasingly important for sustainable disease management.
Plant pathology has limited career opportunities.
Kenya's agricultural sector, seed industry, research institutions, and regulatory agencies create strong demand for plant pathology professionals.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Master of Science in Plant Pathology are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.