Arts & Humanities

Master of Theology in African Christianity

The Master of Theology in African Christianity is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in African Christianity, theology, biblical studies, and African cultural contexts. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in ministry, theological education, church leadership, and religious research.

Core areas include African Christianity, systematic theology, biblical studies, African theology, church history, African religions, contextual theology, missiology, pastoral care, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical theological applications in African contexts.

The programme is offered by Daystar University, Scott Christian University, and KAG East University, with Daystar University also listed as a college. Daystar offers MTh African Christianity at Mombasa Campus with full-time mode, with tuition fees of KES 94,000 per semester (~KES 188,000/year).

Students develop competencies in theological analysis, biblical interpretation, African cultural contextualisation, pastoral ministry, church leadership, and research. The programme includes coursework, seminars, field placements, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. Daystar tuition fees are KES 94,000/semester (~KES 188,000/year). Entry requires Bachelor's degree in theology or related field with GPA 3.00 or Upper Second, or GPA 2.5/Lower Second with Higher Diploma and experience.

Graduates pursue careers as pastors, theological educators, church leaders, missionaries, chaplains, and religious researchers in churches, theological institutions, NGOs, and international mission organisations.

Skills Required

African Theology and Contextual Theological Analysis
Biblical Exegesis and Interpretation
African Church History and Christianity
African Traditional Religions and Culture
Missiology and Cross-Cultural Ministry
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Church Leadership and Administration
Christian Ethics and Social Justice
Theological Research and Writing
Preaching and Homiletics

Key Subjects

African Christianity
Systematic Theology
Biblical Studies
African Theology
African Church History
African Traditional Religions
Missiology
Pastoral Care
Christian Ethics
Theological Research Methods

Certifications

ATEA Theological Education Certification
WCC Ecumenical Theology Certification

Specializations

African Theology

Focuses on African theology, contextual theology, inculturation, African Christian theology, African cultural hermeneutics, and developing theology in African contexts.

Biblical Studies

Examines biblical studies, Old Testament, New Testament, exegesis, hermeneutics, biblical languages, and interpreting Scripture in African contexts.

Church History

Covers African church history, Christianity in Africa, mission history, African Christian movements, historical theology, and understanding African Christian history.

Missiology

Focuses on missiology, cross-cultural ministry, mission studies, African missions, church planting, and understanding and practising mission in African contexts.

Pastoral Care

Examines pastoral care, counselling, pastoral theology, chaplaincy, crisis care, grief, and providing pastoral care and counselling in African contexts.

Christian Ethics

Covers Christian ethics, social justice, African social ethics, political theology, development, and applying Christian ethics to African social challenges.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 220,800
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

African Christianity
Systematic Theology
Biblical Studies
African Theology
African Church History
African Traditional Religions
Missiology
Pastoral Care
Christian Ethics
Theological Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

African Christianity and Church History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines African Christianity, early Christianity in Africa, colonial missions, African independent churches, Pentecostalism, African Christian movements, and understanding African Christian history.
Systematic Theology in African Context
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers systematic theology, doctrine, Trinity, Christology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and understanding Christian doctrine in African contexts.
Biblical Exegesis and Hermeneutics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines Old Testament, New Testament, exegesis, hermeneutics, biblical languages, Greek, Hebrew, and interpreting Scripture in African contexts.
African Theology and Contextualisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers African theology, contextual theology, inculturation, African cultural hermeneutics, African feminist theology, and developing theology in African contexts.
African Traditional Religions and Culture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines African traditional religions, African cosmology, ancestors, rituals, African culture, worldview, and understanding African religions and culture.
Missiology and Cross-Cultural Ministry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers mission studies, cross-cultural ministry, African missions, church planting, contextualisation, mission history, and understanding and practising mission in African contexts.
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines pastoral care, counselling, pastoral theology, chaplaincy, crisis care, grief, trauma, family therapy, and providing pastoral care in African contexts.
Christian Ethics and Social Justice
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Christian ethics, social justice, African social ethics, political theology, development, gender, corruption, and applying Christian ethics to African social challenges.
Preaching and Homiletics in African Context
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines preaching, homiletics, sermon preparation, African preaching styles, oral tradition, narrative preaching, and preaching effectively in African contexts.
Theological Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for theology, literature review, theological writing, qualitative methods, case study, and conducting theological research, preparing students for their thesis.
African Christianity and Contemporary Issues
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines contemporary issues including Pentecostalism, prosperity gospel, African Christianity and politics, gender, youth, migration, and African Christianity in the 21st century.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an African Christianity or theology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and theological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

African Theology
Focuses on African theology, contextual theology, inculturation, African Christian theology, African cultural hermeneutics, and developing theology in African contexts.
Biblical Studies
Examines biblical studies, Old Testament, New Testament, exegesis, hermeneutics, biblical languages, and interpreting Scripture in African contexts.
Church History
Covers African church history, Christianity in Africa, mission history, African Christian movements, historical theology, and understanding African Christian history.
Missiology
Focuses on missiology, cross-cultural ministry, mission studies, African missions, church planting, and understanding and practising mission in African contexts.
Pastoral Care
Examines pastoral care, counselling, pastoral theology, chaplaincy, crisis care, grief, and providing pastoral care and counselling in African contexts.
Christian Ethics
Covers Christian ethics, social justice, African social ethics, political theology, development, and applying Christian ethics to African social challenges.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MTh African Christianity programme begins with morning lectures on African theology, biblical studies, or church history. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical theological applications in African contexts. African Christianity sessions cover African Christianity, African church history, African Christian movements, African independent churches, Pentecostalism, and understanding African Christianity. Systematic theology sessions examine systematic theology, doctrine, Trinity, Christology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and understanding Christian doctrine. Biblical studies sessions cover Old Testament, New Testament, exegesis, hermeneutics, biblical languages, Greek, Hebrew, and interpreting Scripture in African contexts. African theology sessions examine African theology, contextual theology, inculturation, African cultural hermeneutics, African feminist theology, and developing theology in African contexts. African religions sessions cover African traditional religions, African cosmology, ancestors, rituals, African culture, and understanding African religions and culture. Missiology sessions examine mission studies, cross-cultural ministry, African missions, church planting, contextualisation, and understanding and practising mission in African contexts. Pastoral care sessions cover pastoral care, counselling, pastoral theology, chaplaincy, crisis care, grief, trauma, and providing pastoral care in African contexts. Church history sessions examine African church history, early Christianity in Africa, colonial missions, African independent churches, Pentecostalism, and understanding African Christian history. Christian ethics sessions cover Christian ethics, social justice, African social ethics, political theology, development, gender, and applying Christian ethics to African social challenges. Seminars provide opportunities for theological discussion, paper presentation, peer review, and academic discourse. Field placements provide hands-on experience with church ministry, pastoral care, teaching, and community engagement. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering theological research methods, literature review, and academic writing. Guest lectures from Daystar faculty, church leaders, ATEA experts, visiting theologians, and international scholars provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's vibrant Christian community, growing churches, theological education needs, and African Christianity scholarship create moderate demand for qualified theology professionals.
Daystar University offers MTh African Christianity with established theological faculty and KES 94,000/semester fees, providing accessible theological education.
Career opportunities in churches, theological institutions, schools, NGOs, chaplaincy, mission organisations, and international bodies like ATEA, AACC, and WCC.
Programme addresses African Christianity, contextual theology, African cultural engagement, and the unique contributions of African Christianity to global Christianity.

Against it

Programme primarily targets theology, religion, or ministry graduates, which may exclude graduates from other fields.
All listed universities are private, with fees of KES 94,000-150,000/semester, which may be expensive for some students.
Theology is a niche field with fewer career positions compared to broader humanities or social science programmes.
Career prospects may be limited outside church and religious institutions without additional qualifications.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public118k to 221k

118k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private68k to 221k

68k at Scott Christian University221k at Daystar 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

UoN 220.5K/yr(keguide). Maseno ~118K/yr(yumpu). Daystar 110.4K/sem*2(official). Scott 67.5K/yr(tuko)

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Church sponsorship programmes support theological education. ATEA supports theological education capacity building. OCMS supports mission studies research. WCC and AACC support ecumenical theological development. The programme's African Christianity focus attracts church, mission, and theological education funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Church Sponsorship Programmes
OCMS Mission Studies Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate theology studies at recognised universities.
Church Sponsorship Programmes
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Many churches and denominations provide sponsorship for theological education and ministry training for their members and pastors.
OCMS Mission Studies Funding
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
OCMS supports mission studies research globally, providing scholarships for postgraduate study in theology, mission, and African Christianity.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from theology, religious studies, divinity, ministry, biblical studies, and related fields. Daystar requires GPA 3.00 or Upper Second, or GPA 2.5/Lower Second with Higher Diploma and experience. Two-year full-time programme with coursework, seminars, and field placements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, exegetical papers, theological essays, reflection papers, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering African Christianity, systematic theology, biblical studies, and church history, conducted at end of each semester.
Seminar and Field Placement Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of seminar presentations, field placements, ministry practicum, preaching, pastoral care, and practical theological work.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an African Christianity or theology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and theological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Daystar University offers MTh African Christianity through its Department of Theology and Biblical Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate theological education. ATEA supports theological education in Africa, and WCC and AACC support ecumenical cooperation and theological dialogue internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Daystar University offers MTh African Christianity through its Department of Theology and Biblical Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate theological education.
Association for Theological Education in Africa (ATEA)
Professional accreditation
ATEA supports theological education in Africa, providing accreditation and standards for theological institutions. Graduates may benefit from ATEA-accredited programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Pastor
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides pastoral leadership, overseeing church ministry, preaching, pastoral care, and supporting church growth and development.
Theological Educator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches theology in theological institutions, conducting research and training future church leaders and theologians.
Church Leader
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides church leadership, overseeing church governance, strategic direction, ministry programmes, and supporting church development.
Missionary
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Engages in cross-cultural mission, overseeing mission programmes, church planting, community development, and supporting mission work.
Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides chaplaincy services, overseeing spiritual care, counselling, pastoral support, and supporting spiritual wellbeing in institutions.
Theological Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts theological research, overseeing research projects, publications, African Christianity studies, and supporting theological scholarship.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as pastors, theological educators, and church leaders in churches, theological institutions, and mission organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

BibleWorks
SoftwarePrimary
Bible study software for biblical exegesis, original languages, Greek, Hebrew, lexical analysis, and biblical research and interpretation.
Logos Bible Software
SoftwarePrimary
Bible study and theological library software for biblical research, theological resources, commentaries, and theological study and research.
LibreOffice
Software
Office software for theological writing, research papers, thesis writing, presentations, and academic writing and research.
Zotero
Software
Reference management software for theological research, citation management, bibliography, and managing research references and citations.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Theology is just about reading the Bible.
The programme involves systematic theology, church history, African religions, missiology, ethics, pastoral care, and research, covering comprehensive theological education.
African Christianity is a recent phenomenon.
African Christianity has ancient roots including early African church fathers, Ethiopian Christianity, and centuries of African Christian history and development.
This programme is only for pastors.
The programme is for pastors, theological educators, missionaries, chaplains, researchers, and anyone interested in African Christianity and theology.
African theology is not academic.
African theology is a rigorous academic discipline with peer-reviewed journals, scholarly societies, and significant contributions to global theological discourse.
Theology has no career prospects outside church ministry.
Theology graduates work in education, NGOs, chaplaincy, counselling, publishing, research, diplomacy, and international development, not just church ministry.
African Christianity is syncretic and not authentic.
African Christianity is a dynamic, authentic expression of Christian faith that engages African culture, addresses African challenges, and contributes to global Christianity.