Education

Master of Science (Physical and Health Education)

The Master of Science in Physical and Health Education is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in physical education, health education, and sports science. The programme combines physical education theory with health promotion and sports science application.

Core areas include physical education, exercise physiology, sports psychology, curriculum development, health promotion, adapted physical education, sports administration, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both educational theory and practical physical education application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University. KU is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time mode of study. The University of Nairobi offers a related Master of Education in Physical Education and Sport.

Students develop competencies in physical education, exercise physiology, sports psychology, curriculum development, health promotion, adapted physical education, sports administration, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, practicals, field experiences, examinations, and a research thesis.

KU charges KES 295,800/year (East Africans) or KES 369,750/year (non-East Africans). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with First Class or Second Class Honours Upper Division in physical education, exercise and sports science, recreation and sports management, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as physical education lecturers, sports administrators, curriculum developers, health promotion specialists, adapted physical education specialists, and sports science researchers across educational institutions, sports organisations, and health institutions.

Skills Required

Physical Education Curriculum Design and Instruction
Exercise Physiology and Assessment
Sports Psychology and Mental Performance
Health Promotion and Physical Activity
Adapted Physical Education for Special Populations
Sports Administration and Management
Curriculum Development in Physical Education
Research Methods in Physical Education
Sports Marketing and Facility Management
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Research Methods in Physical Education
Application of Statistics in Physical Education
Physiology of Exercise for Physical Education
Curriculum Development in Physical Education
Physical Education and Sports for Special Populations
Psychology of Physical Education and Sports
Administration and Marketing of Physical Education and Sports
Physical Education and Health Promotion
Didactics and Methods of Selected Sports
Thesis Research

Certifications

KAS Professional Certification
ICHPER-SD Professional Membership

Specializations

Physical Education Curriculum

Focuses on curriculum development, covering curriculum design, instructional methods, curriculum evaluation, and managing physical education curricula.

Health Promotion

Examines health promotion, covering physical activity promotion, health education, behaviour change, and managing health promotion in physical education.

Adapted Physical Education

Covers adapted physical education, covering special populations, disability sports, adaptation techniques, and managing adapted physical education.

Sports Administration

Focuses on sports administration, covering sports management, facility management, sports marketing, and managing sports programmes.

Exercise Physiology

Examines exercise physiology, covering exercise response, physiological testing, exercise prescription, and managing exercise physiology in education.

Sports Psychology

Covers sports psychology, covering mental performance, motivation, anxiety management, and managing sports psychology in education.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Research Methods in Physical Education
Application of Statistics in Physical Education
Physiology of Exercise for Physical Education
Curriculum Development in Physical Education
Physical Education and Sports for Special Populations
Psychology of Physical Education and Sports
Administration and Marketing of Physical Education and Sports
Physical Education and Health Promotion
Didactics and Methods of Selected Sports
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Research Methods in Physical Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting physical education research, preparing students for their thesis.
Application of Statistics in Physical Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods, data analysis, research statistics, and analysing and interpreting physical education research data.
Physiology of Exercise for Physical Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers exercise response, physiological testing, exercise prescription, energy systems, and managing exercise physiology in education.
Didactics and Methods of a Selected Sport
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines sport-specific teaching methods, technique analysis, skill development, and managing sport instruction.
Curriculum Development in Physical Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers curriculum design, curriculum evaluation, instructional materials, curriculum implementation, and managing curriculum development.
Physical Education and Sports for Special Populations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines special populations, disability sports, adaptation techniques, inclusive programmes, and managing adapted physical education.
Psychology of Physical Education and Sports
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers mental performance, motivation, anxiety management, concentration, and managing sports psychology in education.
Administration and Marketing of Physical Education and Sports
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines sports management, facility management, sports marketing, event management, and managing sports programmes.
Physical Education and Health Promotion
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers physical activity promotion, health education, behaviour change, health programmes, and managing health promotion in physical education.
Legal and Ethical Issues in Physical Education and Sports
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines legal issues, ethical issues, sports law, liability, and managing legal and ethical aspects of physical education and sports.
Sociology of Sports
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sports sociology, social aspects of sport, sport and society, cultural issues, and managing social dimensions of physical education.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a physical and health education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and physical education knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Physical Education Curriculum
Focuses on curriculum development, covering curriculum design, instructional methods, curriculum evaluation, and managing physical education curricula.
Health Promotion
Examines health promotion, covering physical activity promotion, health education, behaviour change, and managing health promotion in physical education.
Adapted Physical Education
Covers adapted physical education, covering special populations, disability sports, adaptation techniques, and managing adapted physical education.
Sports Administration
Focuses on sports administration, covering sports management, facility management, sports marketing, and managing sports programmes.
Exercise Physiology
Examines exercise physiology, covering exercise response, physiological testing, exercise prescription, and managing exercise physiology in education.
Sports Psychology
Covers sports psychology, covering mental performance, motivation, anxiety management, and managing sports psychology in education.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Physical and Health Education programme combines lectures, practical sessions, field experiences, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover physical education, exercise physiology, sports psychology, curriculum development, and health promotion. Physical education sessions examine curriculum design, instructional methods, teaching strategies, and managing physical education. Exercise physiology sessions cover exercise response, physiological testing, exercise prescription, and managing exercise physiology. Sports psychology sessions cover mental performance, motivation, anxiety management, and managing sports psychology. Curriculum development sessions cover curriculum design, curriculum evaluation, instructional materials, and managing curriculum development. Health promotion sessions cover physical activity promotion, health education, behaviour change, and managing health promotion. Adapted physical education sessions cover special populations, disability sports, adaptation techniques, and managing adapted physical education. Sports administration sessions cover sports management, facility management, sports marketing, and managing sports programmes. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Practical sessions provide hands-on experience with exercise testing, sports techniques, teaching practice, and physical education skills. Field experiences provide practical experience with schools, sports teams, and health programmes. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in physical and health education. Guest lectures from experienced physical educators, sports scientists, and health promotion specialists provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a physical and health education topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for physical education professionals with CBC implementation, sports development, and health awareness in Kenya.
KU is the leading institution for physical education training in East and Central Africa with well-equipped facilities.
Programme combines physical education with health promotion, providing versatile skills for both education and health sectors.
KU offers competitive fees at KES 295,800/year with access to sports science laboratories.

Against it

Only KU confirmed offering this exact MSc programme, limiting institutional choice.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting options.
Programme requires background in physical education or related field, which may limit access.
Career prospects may be concentrated in education and sports sectors, limiting options in other sectors.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public94k to 296k

94k at The Open University of Kenya296k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International 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 MSc 296K/yr (joweri.com). OUK 94K/yr (ouk.ac.ke). Kabarak 165K/yr (KabU PDF), AIU 191K/yr (AIU site).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KAS may provide training support for sports professionals. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. Some sports organisations and educational institutions may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KAS Training Support
KU Postgraduate Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KAS Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Kenya Academy of Sports supports training for sports professionals.
KU Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenyatta University offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: KU requires First Class or Upper Second Class Honours in physical education or related field. Postgraduate Diploma holders are also eligible. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Contact KU for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, practical demonstrations, seminar presentations, teaching practice, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering physical education, exercise physiology, sports psychology, curriculum development, and health promotion.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through teaching practice, exercise testing, sport technique demonstration, field experiences, and demonstrating physical education skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a physical and health education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and physical education knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University (public) offers MSc in Physical Education. University of Nairobi (public) offers related Master of Education in Physical Education and Sport. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in physical and health education. Graduates are eligible for KAS professional certification and ICHPER-SD professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University (public) offers MSc in Physical Education. University of Nairobi (public) offers related Master of Education in Physical Education and Sport. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in physical and health education. Graduates are eligible for KAS professional certification and ICHPER-SD professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Physical Education Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches physical education at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, practical supervision, and academic supervision.
Sports Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages sports programmes, overseeing sports management, facility management, events, and managing sports operations.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Develops physical education curricula, overseeing curriculum design, instructional materials, curriculum evaluation, and managing curriculum development.
Health Promotion Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages health promotion programmes, overseeing physical activity promotion, health education, and managing health promotion initiatives.
Adapted Physical Education Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages adapted physical education programmes, overseeing special populations, adaptation techniques, and managing inclusive programmes.
Sports Science Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts sports science research, overseeing research design, data collection, analysis, and managing sports science research.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Exercise Testing Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Exercise testing equipment for physiology, covering VO2 max testing, fitness assessment, and managing physiological measurement.
SPSS
Software
SPSS statistical software for physical education research, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.
Video Analysis Software
Software
Video analysis software for sports technique analysis, covering performance analysis, technique evaluation, and managing sports analysis.
Heart Rate Monitors
Equipment
Heart rate monitors for exercise monitoring, covering heart rate assessment, exercise intensity, and managing exercise monitoring.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Physical education is just about playing sports.
Physical education covers comprehensive educational science including curriculum development, exercise physiology, sports psychology, and health promotion.
This programme is only for PE teachers.
Physical and health education skills are valuable in sports administration, health promotion, coaching, research, and any organisation dealing with physical activity and health.
Physical education has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With CBC implementation, sports development, and growing health awareness, demand for physical education professionals is increasing in Kenya.
This programme is the same as sports science.
Physical and health education focuses on educational aspects of physical activity, while sports science focuses on performance and exercise science.
Adapted physical education is just about modified games.
Adapted physical education covers comprehensive adaptation for special populations including disability assessment, adaptation techniques, and inclusive programme design.
Physical education is not academic.
Physical education is a rigorous academic discipline with research methods, statistics, physiology, psychology, and curriculum theory.