Master of Science Speech & Language Pathology
The Master of Science Speech & Language Pathology is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in health sciences.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 295,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 295,800 to Ksh 591,600 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 463,200 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Upper Second Class Honours or equivalent in Education, Linguistics, Psychology, Health Sciences, or a related field or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1-2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Applied Ethicist, at 20 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
What you study
10 subjects- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health Systems Management
- Public Health Research Methods
- Health Policy and Planning
- Clinical Research Methods
- Health Economics
- Disease Control
- Nutrition Assessment
- Healthcare Ethics
Modules
12 in the programmeSpeech and Language Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Normal development of speech, language, and communication from infancy through adolescence and factors affecting development
Speech Sound Disorders
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Assessment and treatment of articulation and phonological disorders in children
Language Disorders in Children
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Assessment and intervention for developmental language disorders including specific language impairment and language disorders associated with other conditions
Fluency Disorders
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Assessment and treatment of stuttering and other fluency disorders across the lifespan
Voice Disorders
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Assessment and management of voice disorders including vocal hygiene, voice therapy, and collaboration with ENT specialists
Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Aphasia and cognitive-communication disorders following stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions
Motor Speech Disorders
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Assessment and management of dysarthria and apraxia of speech in adults and children
Dysphagia and Swallowing Disorders
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Assessment and management of swallowing disorders across the lifespan including clinical and instrumental assessment
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Communication systems for individuals with severe communication impairments including technology-based solutions
Audiology for Speech Pathologists
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Understanding hearing assessment and the relationship between hearing impairment and communication disorders
Clinical Methods and Professional Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Clinical practicum providing supervised experience in assessment and treatment across different disorder types and settings
Thesis
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Original research on a speech-language pathology topic addressing communication disorders in Kenyan populations
Specialisations
Dysphagia and Swallowing Disorders
Focus on assessment and management of swallowing disorders across ages
Voice and Fluency Disorders
Focus on voice disorders and stuttering
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Specialisation in communication systems for individuals with severe communication impairments
Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Specialisation in aphasia, motor speech disorders, and cognitive-communication disorders in adults
Paediatric Speech and Language Disorders
Focus on communication disorders in children from birth through adolescence
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending public health lectures, analysing epidemiological data, participating in field visits, reviewing medical literature, presenting at journal clubs, and meeting with supervisors to discuss research projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Extreme shortage of speech pathologists in Kenya means excellent employment prospects with growing demand | Clinical work can be emotionally demanding working with individuals with severe communication impairments and their families |
| Work directly improves communication, quality of life, and social participation for individuals with communication disorders | Limited professional infrastructure including few qualified supervisors and limited therapy resources in many settings |
| Diverse work settings from hospitals and schools to private practice and community programmes | Speech pathology is a relatively new profession in Kenya with ongoing work needed to establish professional recognition and regulation |
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
KU 295,800/yr (mawese.com). Moi 187,200/yr. AKU 463,200/yr (aku.edu PDF). MKU unverified.
WHO, KEMRI, and AMREF offer research grants. HELB provides postgraduate loans. CDC, NIH, and Fogarty International support health research in Kenya.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
WHO Research Grant
Grant
Public health researchers in WHO priority areas
KEMRI Research Grant
Grant
Health researchers affiliated with KEMRI
Scholarships
4 recordedDAAD In-Country Scholarship
FellowshipKsh 500,000
Strong academic record in health sciences, education, or communication disorders
Ministry of Health Allied Health Scholarship
SponsorshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
Students pursuing training in critically understaffed allied health professions
Kenyatta University Health Sciences Scholarship
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Outstanding academic achievement and commitment to speech-language pathology
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen enrolled in accredited Masters programme
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Candidates with Lower Second Class Honours may be admitted with at least two years of professional experience in special education, speech therapy assistance, or a related field
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Moi University, Kenyatta University.
Including Moi University, Kenyatta University.
Including Moi University, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
5 componentsSupervised Clinical Practicum
Practicum15% of the mark
Intensive supervised clinical practice across different disorder types meeting required clinical hours
Thesis
Research25% of the mark
Original research on a speech-language pathology topic examined by oral defence
Clinical Case Reports and Portfolios
Project25% of the mark
Documentation of clinical cases including assessment reports and treatment plans
End of Semester Examinations
Exam20% of the mark
Formal written examinations at the end of each taught semester
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat15% of the mark
Tests on communication disorders theory, assessment, and intervention
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All university degree programmes in Kenya must be accredited by CUE
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Health programmes are also regulated by KMPDC, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Nursing Council of Kenya, or Clinical Officers Council as applicable.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesSpeech Pathology Lecturer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches and supervises clinical training in speech-language pathology programmes at Kenyan universities
Rehabilitation Speech Pathologist
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides speech, language, and swallowing therapy to adults in hospital and rehabilitation settings
Speech and Language Pathologist
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Assesses and treats communication and swallowing disorders in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, or private practice in Kenya
School Speech Pathologist
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provides speech and language services to children in special education programmes and inclusive schools
Early Intervention Specialist
Medium demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 130,000
Works with infants and young children with communication delays in early intervention programmes
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as public health officers, clinical specialists, health programme managers, medical researchers, and health policy advisors in Kenya's health sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Applied EthicistArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- ChoreographerArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- Interfaith Dialogue FacilitatorArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- EpigrapherArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Indigenous Knowledge SpecialistArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Manuscript ConservatorArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Museum EducatorArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Theological ResearcherArts & Humanities22Low exposure
Common misconceptions
A Masters in Public Health is only for doctors.
MPH programmes accept applicants from diverse backgrounds including nursing, pharmacy, social sciences, and environmental health.
All health Masters require clinical practice experience.
While clinical experience is valuable, many public health and health systems Masters require a relevant bachelor's degree, not clinical practice.
Health Masters graduates only work in hospitals.
Graduates work in ministries, NGOs, international organisations, research institutions, insurance companies, and private sector.
A Masters in Nursing is the same as a PhD in Nursing.
A Masters prepares for advanced practice and education roles, while a PhD is focused on research and academic scholarship.