MASTER OF ARTS IN PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Overview

The Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management is designed to provide skills, techniques and knowledge required for careers in the management of all types of projects in the public and private sectors.  The programme will help present and future managers of development projects to be more efficient and effective, thus contributing to economic growth and development of the country in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.  Professionals from different fields such as engineering, health, education and agriculture over time find themselves at the helm of projects but without formal training. This programme fills this gap by providing an opportunity for such practitioners and other aspiring project managers to acquire formal knowledge and skills. The programme blends both theoretical concepts and practical knowledge based on case studies and shared experiences by the diverse student body through group work and discussions. It, therefore,  acts as both a foundation for those aspiring for doctoral studies and as a terminal degree for those wishing to pursue project management as career managers or consultants.

In addition to providing skills and knowledge, the programme is flexibly packaged to enable learners to study while continuing in gainful employment.  The Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) mode of learning enables learners in remote places to pursue the programme without the constraint of physical presence in a classroom. This not only makes the course more affordable, accessible and convenient, but also a means by which skills and knowledge learned can quickly be applied in the working environment, thus enhancing both learning and productivity. With the ODeL mode of learning, cross-border learners will be attracted and particularly those from the Eastern Africa region. 

This syllabus was developed and has been offered since 2006.  This review is being undertaken to comply with University policy on curriculum review and to take into account new developments in the field of Project Planning and Management and the needs of students and employers arising from continuous evaluations.  There is also need to realign some of the courses for better flow and sequence.  Through discussions with stakeholders, the need for strong research skills was expressed, hence the new course on Research Project Seminar to enhance practical skills and augment the course on Research Methods.  After consultations with experts and stakeholders such as the Department of Geography and the School of Business, three new courses are introduced namely; LDP 617 Environmental Impact assessment in Projects; LDP 618 Strategic Management and LDP 619 Research Project Seminar and two courses are revised namely: LDP 613 Environmental Issues in Project Planning and Management and LDP 606 employee Training and Development.

The objectives of the programme shall be to: -

  1. Train highly skilled human resource capacity to plan and manage development projects.
  2. Enable learners to acquire analytical tools, principles and concepts of project identification, appraisal, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
  3. Enhance skills and knowledge, competencies and ability of learners to analyze situations within the project from an academic and practical perspective.
  4. Develop awareness of the changing local and international project management environment
  5. Create the foundation for project management professionals to pursue further studies and research in the field.

This programme is offered by the School of Continuing and Distance Education on evening and ODeL mode

INTAKES

September, May and January every year

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION (done online)

  • Log on to the University of Nairobi Website application link www.application.uonbi.ac.ke.
  • Type and enter or click on the slot written REGISTER to register your email with the University online application system and proceed.
  • Select  the School  as School of Open &Distance Learning  and the  mode of study as ‘distance learning’

           Application Fee

  • Application fee is Ksh. 3,000/- and is non-refundable.  Its payable at the last step of the online application  vie  Mpesa Paybill number or deposit to KCB account or credit card or visa, details which are provided in online application portal as the application is done.
  1. COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION

The program will be offered in two modes; face to face and Open, Distance and e-Learning.

 4.1 FACE TO FACE 

4.1.1    The course shall run for a minimum of four semesters and a maximum of ten (10) semesters of fifteen weeks each.

4.1.2    The course shall consist of fifteen (15) taught course units, and a research project, which shall constitute four (4) units. A student will have taken nineteen (19) units in total.

      1. The course shall consist of course work, examination and a project

4.1.4     The course shall consist of twelve (12) core units and three (3) electives

4.1.5    The student shall be required to take a minimum of two (2) course units and a maximum of five (5) course units in a semester

4.1.6     Each course unit shall be taught for forty five hours (45) consisting of lectures and        

tutorials

4.1.7   The project shall be equivalent to four course units, and shall be undertaken during the last semester.

 

    1. OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

 

This delivery mode will use various media, including print, electronic and independent study.

 

4.2.1    The main medium of instruction shall be well-designed printed self instructional study modules. With the inclusion of interactive devices and self-tests, these modules will provide students with great learning opportunities.

 

4.2.2    The modules will be supported by technology mediated learning materials   which include audio compact discs, e-learning materials and online learning.

 

4.2.3    There will be limited face-to- face sessions conducted on-campus or other identified study centers in the regions.  These sessions will be used by lecturers to introduce and provide overviews of the courses at the beginning of the semesters and at mid-semester, to provide clarifications on issues raised by the learners. The end of semester sessions will be used for revisions before examinations.

 

4.2.4      Students will be supported through the University of Nairobi regional study centers where access to information through computers will be provided.

 

4.2.5    After registration, students will be given orientation on distance learning.  Specifically, orientation in studying at a distance will provide students with study skills, reading skills, time management techniques, handling of assignments and   general guidance and counseling.

Common regulations for the Master's Degree in all Faculties/Institutes/Schools shall apply, ii) The following shall be eligible for admission:

  1. A holder of Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with at least an Upper Division, Second Class Honours, of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualification from other institutions recognized by Senate.
  2. A holder of Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with at least a Lower Division, Second Class Honors with 2 years relevant working experience
  3. A holder of Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with at least a Pass with a Postgraduate Diploma or with three years relevant working experience.
  4. The core courses and research project are compulsory. In addition, a student shall take at least 4 Electives.

Management of all types of projects in the public and private sector

Semester I - 87,000.00*

Semester II - 69,000.00*

Semester III - 56,000.00*

Project Fees - 50,000.00*

Statutory fees for 2nd year - 17,000.00*

TOTAL - 279,000.00*

Exam Regulations

EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

  1. course units taken in a given Semester shall be examined at the end of that Semester.
    1. A candidate shall be required to pass in all taught course units in order to be allowed to proceed to the research project.
    2. A course unit shall be examined by a written examination of three hours duration.
    3. Pass mark shall be 50%.
    4. Continuous Assessment Tests shall constitute 30% and the final examination  70%
    5. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in any unit(s), may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval of the Senate, be allowed to take up to two supplementary examinations in the unit(s) failed.
    6. A pass obtained in a supplementary examination or its equivalent shall be recorded as 50%.
    7. A candidate shall be discontinued if he/she fails a second supplementary examination in any paper or fails to complete the programme during the prescribed duration.