Social Sciences

Masters of Arts in Gender and Public Policy

The Masters of Arts in Gender and Public Policy is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in gender studies, public policy, gender mainstreaming, and policy analysis. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in gender policy, public policy, development, and social justice.

Core areas include gender studies, public policy, gender mainstreaming, policy analysis, feminist theory, gender and development, governance, social justice, advocacy, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical gender and public policy applications.

The programme is offered by Daystar University, Scott Christian University, and KAG East University, with Maseno University as a college. Maseno University offers Master of Gender and Development through its Institute of Gender Studies, providing related gender and policy training.

Students develop competencies in gender analysis, policy analysis, mainstreaming, advocacy, research, and governance. The programme includes coursework, policy projects, field placements, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. Maseno University postgraduate fees are estimated at KES 130,000/year. Daystar University masters tuition is approximately KES 110,400/semester (~KES 220,800/year). Entry requires Bachelor's degree in relevant field with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as gender policy analysts, gender specialists, programme managers, advocacy officers, and researchers in government, NGOs, international organisations, and development agencies.

Skills Required

Gender Analysis and Mainstreaming
Public Policy Analysis and Development
Feminist Theory and Gender Studies
Gender and Development Planning
Policy Advocacy and Lobbying
Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response
Governance and Social Justice
Programme Design and Management for Gender Equality
Gender Budgeting and Resource Allocation
Gender and Public Policy Research Methods

Key Subjects

Gender Studies
Public Policy
Gender Mainstreaming
Feminist Theory
Gender and Development
Policy Analysis
Governance
Social Justice
Gender-Based Violence
Gender Research Methods

Certifications

NGEC Gender Mainstreaming Certification
UN Women Gender Certification

Specializations

Gender Mainstreaming

Focuses on gender mainstreaming, gender analysis frameworks, gender markers, mainstreaming tools, and integrating gender in policies, programmes, and organisations.

Public Policy Analysis

Examines public policy, policy analysis, policy cycle, policy instruments, gender-responsive budgeting, and analysing and developing public policy.

Gender and Development

Covers gender and development, WID, WAD, GAD, livelihoods, empowerment, SDG 5, and integrating gender in development policy and practice.

Gender-Based Violence

Focuses on gender-based violence, GBV prevention, response, survivor support, legal frameworks, and addressing gender-based violence through policy.

Governance and Leadership

Examines governance, women leadership, political participation, gender equity in governance, and promoting women in leadership and decision-making.

Advocacy and Social Justice

Covers advocacy, lobbying, campaigns, social justice, human rights, gender rights, and advocating for gender equality and social justice.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Gender Studies
Public Policy
Gender Mainstreaming
Feminist Theory
Gender and Development
Policy Analysis
Governance
Social Justice
Gender-Based Violence
Gender Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Gender Studies and Feminist Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines gender theory, feminist theory, gender concepts, masculinity studies, intersectionality, African feminism, postcolonial feminism, and understanding gender.
Public Policy and Gender
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers public policy, policy cycle, policy instruments, policy analysis, gender-responsive budgeting, and analysing and developing gender-responsive public policy.
Gender Mainstreaming and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines gender analysis frameworks, Harvard, Moser, gender markers, mainstreaming tools, and integrating gender in policies, programmes, and organisations.
Gender and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers WID, WAD, GAD, livelihoods, empowerment, SDG 5, poverty, and integrating gender in development policy and practice.
Governance, Leadership and Gender
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines governance, women leadership, political participation, gender equity, democracy, constitution, and promoting women in governance and leadership.
Gender-Based Violence and Policy Response
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers GBV, violence prevention, survivor support, legal frameworks, FGM, domestic violence, sexual violence, and addressing GBV through policy.
Gender-Responsive Budgeting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines gender-responsive budgeting, GRB tools, budget analysis, public finance, and integrating gender in public budgeting and finance.
Social Justice and Human Rights
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers social justice, human rights, gender rights, equity, equality, CEDAW, Maputo Protocol, and promoting social justice and gender equality.
Advocacy and Policy Influence
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advocacy, lobbying, campaigns, coalition building, policy influence, media advocacy, and advocating for gender equality and policy change.
Gender and Public Policy Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers gender research methods, feminist research, qualitative and quantitative methods, participatory methods, and conducting gender research, preparing students for their thesis.
Gender, Conflict and Peacebuilding
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines gender, conflict, peacebuilding, UNSCR 1325, women peace and security, post-conflict gender, and integrating gender in conflict and peacebuilding.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a gender and public policy topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Gender Mainstreaming
Focuses on gender mainstreaming, gender analysis frameworks, gender markers, mainstreaming tools, and integrating gender in policies, programmes, and organisations.
Public Policy Analysis
Examines public policy, policy analysis, policy cycle, policy instruments, gender-responsive budgeting, and analysing and developing public policy.
Gender and Development
Covers gender and development, WID, WAD, GAD, livelihoods, empowerment, SDG 5, and integrating gender in development policy and practice.
Gender-Based Violence
Focuses on gender-based violence, GBV prevention, response, survivor support, legal frameworks, and addressing gender-based violence through policy.
Governance and Leadership
Examines governance, women leadership, political participation, gender equity in governance, and promoting women in leadership and decision-making.
Advocacy and Social Justice
Covers advocacy, lobbying, campaigns, social justice, human rights, gender rights, and advocating for gender equality and social justice.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Gender and Public Policy programme begins with morning lectures on gender studies, public policy, or gender mainstreaming. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical gender and public policy applications. Gender studies sessions cover gender theory, feminist theory, gender concepts, masculinity studies, intersectionality, and understanding gender. Public policy sessions examine public policy, policy cycle, policy instruments, policy analysis, gender-responsive budgeting, and analysing and developing public policy. Gender mainstreaming sessions cover gender analysis frameworks, Harvard, Moser, gender markers, mainstreaming tools, and integrating gender in policies and programmes. Feminist theory sessions examine feminist theory, liberal, radical, socialist, African feminism, postcolonial feminism, and understanding feminist perspectives. Gender and development sessions cover WID, WAD, GAD, livelihoods, empowerment, SDG 5, and integrating gender in development. Policy analysis sessions examine policy analysis, stakeholder analysis, policy evaluation, gender-responsive policy, and analysing policy from gender perspectives. Governance sessions cover governance, women leadership, political participation, gender equity, democracy, and promoting women in governance. Social justice sessions examine social justice, human rights, gender rights, equity, equality, and promoting social justice and gender equality. Gender-based violence sessions cover GBV, violence prevention, survivor support, legal frameworks, FGM, domestic violence, and addressing GBV through policy. Advocacy sessions examine advocacy, lobbying, campaigns, coalition building, policy influence, and advocating for gender equality. Field placements provide hands-on experience with gender organisations, NGOs, government departments, and policy projects. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering gender research methods, feminist research, and data analysis. Guest lectures from university faculty, NGEC officials, UN Women advisors, AWDF experts, and international gender scholars provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's constitutional gender provisions, SDG 5, gender mainstreaming requirements, GBV response, and women's empowerment create high demand for qualified gender policy professionals.
Maseno University offers gender studies through its Institute of Gender Studies, providing established gender training and research.
Career opportunities with government, NGEC, UN Women, AWDF, NGOs, county governments, and international development organisations.
Programme addresses Kenya's gender equality, women's empowerment, GBV, governance, and gender-responsive policy needs.

Against it

Daystar tuition of KES 110,400/semester (~KES 220,800/year) is relatively expensive for a private university.
Programme may be perceived as niche, potentially limiting career options outside gender and development sectors.
Field placements require access to gender organisations, NGOs, and government departments, which may be limited.
Gender policy positions may be subject to political priorities and funding availability.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public115k to 187k

115k at Maseno University187k at Moi 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

Moi ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum). Maseno ~115K/yr (maseno.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UN Women supports gender equality capacity building. AWDF supports women's rights and development. NGEC supports gender mainstreaming. The programme's gender and public policy focus attracts UN, women's rights, and international development funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UN Women Gender Funding
AWDF Women's Rights Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate gender and public policy studies at recognised universities.
UN Women Gender Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
UN Women supports gender equality in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate research in gender and public policy.
AWDF Women's Rights Funding
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
AWDF supports women's rights and development in Africa, providing scholarships for postgraduate study in gender and policy.

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 social sciences, gender studies, development studies, political science, sociology, law, public administration, education, and related fields. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, gender analysis exercises, policy briefs, advocacy plans, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering gender theory, public policy, mainstreaming, development, and governance, conducted at end of each semester.
Field Placement and Project Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of field placements, gender projects, policy analysis, advocacy campaigns, and practical work.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a gender and public policy topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Maseno University offers related gender studies through its Institute of Gender Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate gender and public policy training. NGEC promotes gender equality in Kenya, and UN Women and AWDF support gender and development internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Maseno University offers related gender studies through its Institute of Gender Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate gender and public policy training.
National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC)
Professional accreditation
NGEC promotes gender equality in Kenya. Graduates may benefit from NGEC knowledge and networking for gender policy and mainstreaming roles.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Gender Policy Analyst
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses gender policy, overseeing policy research, gender analysis, policy development, and supporting gender-responsive policy.
Gender Specialist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides gender expertise, overseeing gender mainstreaming, analysis, training, and supporting gender equality in organisations.
Programme Manager — Gender
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages gender programmes, overseeing programme design, implementation, M&E, and supporting gender equality programmes.
Advocacy Officer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts advocacy, overseeing campaigns, lobbying, coalition building, and advocating for gender equality and policy change.
GBV Programme Officer
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages GBV programmes, overseeing prevention, response, survivor support, and supporting GBV prevention and response.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches gender studies in universities, conducting research and training future gender and policy professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as gender policy analysts, gender specialists, and programme managers in government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for gender research, survey analysis, policy data, demographic data, and research data analysis.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for gender research, interviews, focus groups, feminist research, and qualitative data analysis.
Stata
Software
Statistical software for policy analysis, gender data, econometric analysis, and research data analysis.
KoboToolbox
Software
Data collection platform for field research, surveys, gender surveys, and collecting research data in the field.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Gender studies is just about women's issues.
The programme involves gender theory, public policy, masculinity, intersectionality, governance, development, and research, covering comprehensive gender and public policy.
This programme is only for women.
The programme is for all genders interested in gender equality, public policy, development, and social justice.
There is limited demand for gender policy professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's constitutional gender provisions, SDG 5, gender mainstreaming requirements, GBV response, and women's empowerment create high demand for qualified gender policy professionals.
Gender and public policy is not a serious academic field.
Gender and public policy is a rigorous interdisciplinary field with peer-reviewed journals, scholarly societies, and significant policy influence globally.
Gender mainstreaming is just about adding women to programmes.
Gender mainstreaming involves systematic analysis, policy integration, budgeting, institutional change, and transforming organisations and policies.
A master's in gender and public policy is redundant after a sociology degree.
The master's provides specialised gender analysis skills, policy expertise, research capability, and career progression to senior gender policy and development positions.