Education

Masters of Education in Sociology of Education and Policy Studies

The Masters of Education in Sociology of Education and Policy Studies is a postgraduate programme that trains educators and researchers in the sociology of education, education policy, social inequality, and education and society. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in education policy, social research, educational development, and academic leadership.

Core areas include sociology of education, education policy, social inequality, education and society, social theory, education and social change, gender and education, ethnicity and education, education and development, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical sociology of education and policy applications.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University, with Kenyatta University as a college. KU offers MEd in Sociology of Education and Policy Studies with tuition KES 120,000/year. Moi University offers MEd in Sociology of Education.

Students develop competencies in sociological analysis, policy analysis, social research, critical thinking, and educational development. The programme includes coursework, research projects, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. KU tuition is KES 120,000/year plus statutory fees KES 22,700. Meru University education masters fees are KES 60,000/semester (~KES 120,000/year). Entry requires Bachelor's degree in Education or related field.

Graduates pursue careers as education policy analysts, social researchers, sociology lecturers, education consultants, and community development officers in government, universities, NGOs, and research institutions.

Skills Required

Sociological Analysis of Education
Education Policy Analysis and Development
Social Inequality and Education Research
Social Theory and Education
Education and Social Change Analysis
Gender, Ethnicity and Education Analysis
Education and Development Planning
Qualitative and Quantitative Social Research
Education Policy Evaluation and Advocacy
Sociology of Education Research Methods

Key Subjects

Sociology of Education
Education Policy
Social Inequality
Social Theory
Education and Society
Gender and Education
Ethnicity and Education
Education and Development
Education and Social Change
Sociology of Education Research Methods

Certifications

ISA Sociology of Education Certification
BERA Educational Research Certification

Specializations

Social Inequality

Focuses on social inequality in education, class, gender, ethnicity, access, equity, achievement gap, and understanding and addressing inequality in education.

Education Policy

Examines education policy, policy analysis, policy development, education reform, social policy, and analysing and developing education policy.

Social Theory

Covers social theory, sociological theory, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Bourdieu, Foucault, and understanding social theory in education.

Gender and Education

Focuses on gender and education, gender inequality, feminist theory, girls' education, masculinity, and understanding gender in education.

Ethnicity and Education

Examines ethnicity and education, ethnic inequality, cultural diversity, multicultural education, and understanding ethnicity in education.

Education and Development

Covers education and development, education and social change, modernisation, dependency theory, SDG 4, and understanding education and development.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 142,700
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, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Sociology of Education
Education Policy
Social Inequality
Social Theory
Education and Society
Gender and Education
Ethnicity and Education
Education and Development
Education and Social Change
Sociology of Education Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Sociology of Education Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines sociology of education theory, education and society, social institutions, socialisation, hidden curriculum, and understanding sociology of education.
Education Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers education policy, policy analysis, policy development, education reform, social policy, and analysing and developing education policy.
Social Inequality in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines social inequality, class, stratification, achievement gap, access, equity, poverty, and understanding and addressing inequality in education.
Social Theory and Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers social theory, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Bourdieu, Foucault, critical theory, postcolonial theory, and understanding social theory in education.
Gender and Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines gender and education, gender inequality, feminist theory, girls' education, masculinity, gender mainstreaming, and understanding gender in education.
Ethnicity, Culture and Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers ethnicity and education, ethnic inequality, cultural diversity, multicultural education, indigenous knowledge, and understanding ethnicity in education.
Education and Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines education and development, education and social change, modernisation, dependency theory, SDG 4, human development, and understanding education and development.
Education and Social Change
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers education and social change, social movements, citizenship, democracy, globalisation, youth, and understanding education and social change.
Education, Culture and Society
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines education and culture, cultural reproduction, cultural capital, values, identity, language, and understanding education, culture, and society.
Sociology of Education Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sociology of education research methods, qualitative and quantitative methods, ethnography, survey, discourse analysis, and conducting sociology of education research, preparing students for their thesis.
Education, Devolution and Governance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines education and devolution, county education, governance, decentralisation, participation, and understanding education governance and devolution in Kenya.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a sociology of education and policy topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Social Inequality
Focuses on social inequality in education, class, gender, ethnicity, access, equity, achievement gap, and understanding and addressing inequality in education.
Education Policy
Examines education policy, policy analysis, policy development, education reform, social policy, and analysing and developing education policy.
Social Theory
Covers social theory, sociological theory, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Bourdieu, Foucault, and understanding social theory in education.
Gender and Education
Focuses on gender and education, gender inequality, feminist theory, girls' education, masculinity, and understanding gender in education.
Ethnicity and Education
Examines ethnicity and education, ethnic inequality, cultural diversity, multicultural education, and understanding ethnicity in education.
Education and Development
Covers education and development, education and social change, modernisation, dependency theory, SDG 4, and understanding education and development.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MEd Sociology of Education and Policy Studies programme begins with morning lectures on sociology of education, education policy, or social inequality. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical sociology of education and policy applications. Sociology of education sessions cover sociology of education theory, education and society, social institutions, socialisation, and understanding sociology of education. Education policy sessions examine education policy, policy analysis, policy development, education reform, social policy, and analysing and developing education policy. Social inequality sessions cover social inequality, class, stratification, achievement gap, access, equity, and understanding and addressing inequality in education. Social theory sessions examine social theory, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Bourdieu, Foucault, critical theory, and understanding social theory in education. Education and society sessions cover education and society, social change, modernisation, culture, values, and understanding education in society. Gender and education sessions examine gender and education, gender inequality, feminist theory, girls' education, masculinity, and understanding gender in education. Ethnicity and education sessions cover ethnicity and education, ethnic inequality, cultural diversity, multicultural education, and understanding ethnicity in education. Education and development sessions examine education and development, education and social change, modernisation, dependency theory, SDG 4, and understanding education and development. Education and social change sessions cover education and social change, social movements, citizenship, democracy, and understanding education and social change. Research projects provide hands-on experience with sociological research, policy analysis, social surveys, and education research. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering sociology of education research methods, qualitative and quantitative methods, and data analysis. Guest lectures from university faculty, Ministry of Education officials, UNESCO advisors, ISA experts, and international sociology of education scholars provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's education inequality, policy reforms, social challenges, devolution, and education research create moderate demand for qualified sociology of education professionals.
KU offers MEd in Sociology of Education and Policy Studies with affordable tuition of KES 120,000/year at multiple campuses.
Career opportunities with government, Ministry of Education, universities, UNESCO, ISA, BERA, NGOs, and research institutions.
Programme provides sociological and policy analysis skills for addressing education inequality, access, equity, and social development.

Against it

Programme requires education, sociology, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Niche field with fewer positions compared to broader education or sociology programmes.
Sociological research requires access to schools, communities, and social data, which may be limited.
Policy positions may be subject to political priorities and government funding.

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

Public120k to 143k

120k at Meru University of Science and Technology143k 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 142,700, Meru 120,000/yr verified. Kabarak 165,200, AIU 191,050 verified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UNESCO supports education capacity building. BERA supports educational research. ISA supports sociology professional development. The programme's sociology of education and policy focus attracts UNESCO, research, and international education funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UNESCO Education Funding
BERA Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate sociology of education studies at recognised universities.
UNESCO Education Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
UNESCO supports education capacity building globally, providing funding for postgraduate research in sociology of education.
BERA Research Funding
FellowshipKsh 300,000
BERA supports educational research globally, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in sociology of education 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 education, sociology, social sciences, political science, community development, and related fields. KU requires degree in Education or related discipline. 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, sociological analysis, policy briefs, research papers, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering sociology of education, policy, inequality, social theory, and development, conducted at end of each semester.
Research Project Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of research projects, sociological studies, policy analysis, field research, and practical work.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a sociology of education and 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). Kenyatta University offers MEd in Sociology of Education and Policy Studies. Moi University offers MEd in Sociology of Education. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate sociology of education and policy studies training. Ministry of Education oversees education in Kenya, and ISA and BERA support sociology of education and educational research internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University offers MEd in Sociology of Education and Policy Studies. Moi University offers MEd in Sociology of Education. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate sociology of education and policy studies training.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
Professional accreditation
TSC manages teachers in Kenya. Graduates working in educational institutions may benefit from TSC registration and professional development.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Education Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses education policy, overseeing policy research, sociological analysis, policy development, and supporting education policy and reform.
Social Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts social research in education, overseeing research projects, surveys, analysis, and supporting education and social research.
Sociology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches sociology of education in universities, conducting research and training future education and sociology professionals.
Education Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides education consultancy, overseeing policy advice, social analysis, equity, and supporting education development.
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Supports community development through education, overseeing community programmes, social development, and supporting education and community development.
Education Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts education research, overseeing research projects, sociological studies, and supporting education research and scholarship.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as education policy analysts, social researchers, and sociology lecturers in government, universities, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for sociology of education research, survey analysis, social data, and research data analysis.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for sociology of education research, interviews, ethnography, discourse analysis, and qualitative data analysis.
Stata
Software
Statistical software for social research, education data, policy analysis, and research data analysis.
KoboToolbox
Software
Data collection platform for field research, social surveys, education surveys, and collecting research data in the field.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Sociology of education is just about studying schools.
The programme involves social theory, policy analysis, inequality, gender, ethnicity, development, social change, and research, covering comprehensive sociology of education and policy.
This programme is only for sociology graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from education, sociology, social sciences, political science, and related fields.
There is limited demand for sociology of education professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's education inequality, policy reforms, social challenges, devolution, and education research create moderate demand for qualified sociology of education professionals.
Sociology of education is too theoretical.
Sociology of education provides practical insights for policy, inequality, access, equity, and social development in education.
Education policy is separate from sociology of education.
Education policy is deeply connected to sociology of education, as policies address social issues, inequality, access, and equity in education.
A master's in sociology of education is redundant after an MEd.
The master's provides specialised sociological skills, policy expertise, research capability, and career progression to senior education policy and research positions.