Introduction
The programme was developed to meets key training gaps for professionals who are capable of making decisions and providing interventions that cuts across environmental, social and sustainable development challenges facing society with the aim of developing practical knowledge, skills and attitudes for devising and implementing new strategies that will address emerging and persisting community development and environmental challenges.
Programme Objectives
i). To equip students with the necessary tools and techniques of investigating and understanding the relationships between environment and development so as to contribute to informed decision-making towards sustainable community livelihoods.
ii). To generate the necessary knowledge on the impacts of development on the environment and vice versa so as to encourage harmonious interactions between humans and their environment.
ii). To produce professionals and technocrats capable of spearheading sustainable development by focusing on communities and the environment as critical national resources.
Justification /Rationale
With increasing environmental and developmental challenges facing the world today, there is need to train the required human resources with the right skills, competences, and knowledge base at the highest level (PhD). This doctoral programme is therefore designed to address national, regional, and global environmental and developmental challenges.
Entry Requirements
PHD through thesis and research only: for a student to be admitted the department requirements include: Applicants for Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies and Community Development should have, a master’s degree in Environmental Studies and community Development and related disciplines such as Geography, Sociology, Natural Resources Management, Law, Tourism, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Communications and Media Studies, Business Studies, Education, Anthropology, Urban and regional Planning, Rangeland Management, Forestry, Agro-forestry, Wildlife Management, Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Biological and Physical Sciences, Conservation and Sustainability Studies, conflict and peace studies, Community Development and Disaster Management, from Kenyatta University or any other recognized university. Those with second class (Lower Division) may be considered on condition that they have two years’ work experience post-graduation.
PHD through course work and thesis: For a student to be admitted to the department to undertake a PhD through course work and thesis he/she must demonstrate that he/she is capable of undertaking a PhD in Environmental Studies and Community Development and must not necessary be trained in a field related to environment or environmental Studies and community Development. However, the student must show evidence that he/she has been working in afield related to environment or Environmental Studies and Community Development for a period not less than two years.
Mode and structure of Delivery
The programme will be offered through the following modes:
PhD through Research and thesis: This mode of delivery will be done by writing a thesis without course work
PhD through course work and thesis: This mode of delivery will be based on blended learning, which involves both face-to-face interactions (physical lectures) and online teaching through Kenyatta University’s online teaching Kusoma platforms. This will include online discussion forums, chats, online quizzes and, assignments.
Programme Duration
The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies and Community Development by Research and Thesis will be done full-time 3years and part-time 6 years to complete. The thesis will be equated to 16 units. The student will take 6 months to develop and write a proposal for research, seek approval from research for data collection from the National Commission for Science, Technology and innovation for (NACOSTI), after approval the student will collect data, analyze and write a thesis for examination under the supervision of his/her supervisors. Which shall be completed within three years?
PhD by course work and thesis
The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies and Community Development by course work and thesis will be offered full-time and part-time. It will take a student a minimum of three years to complete the degree programme for full-time candidates and six years for part-time candidates. Candidates are expected to complete eight (8) units of course work before commencing field research. Each of the eight taught courses or units in the first year will require the completion of 39 contact hours per semester. The second and third years will entail the collection of field data, the writing of a thesis, and the drafting of research papers for publication in refereed journals.
Curriculum Highlights:
The course content will cover the following areas:
PHD through Research and Thesis
|
Year of Study |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Total no. of units |
Total Credit Hrs |
Total Contact Hrs. |
|
Unit Loads |
Thesis |
Thesis |
Thesis |
Equivalent to 16 units |
12 |
624 |
PhD through Course work and Thesis
|
Year of Study |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Total no. of units |
Total Credit Hrs |
Total Contact Hrs. |
||
|
No. of Units |
8 |
Proposal |
Thesis |
8 |
12 |
312 |
||
|
Semester |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
|||||
|
Unit loads |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|||||
The expected learning outcomes will be:
Upon completion of the PhD programme in Environmental Studies and Community Development, the graduates should be able to:
- Critically understand the diverse environmental challenges facing the country, the region and the globe.
- Evaluate environmental and community development issues.
- Justify the choice of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
- Devise research programmes on sustainable environmental and community development interventions.
- Appraise management and leadership capabilities in environmental and community development.
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of the degree progamme, the graduates will work in, National Government and its agencies, County Governments, UN Agencies, CSOs (International and local NGOs, Faith Based Organisations (FBOs), Community Based Orgaisations (CBOs), Private sector, industry, research institutions and Academia.
Tuition and fee’s structure
Semester 1 Kshs. 177, 480/=
Semester 2 Kshs. 118,320/=
Why choose this programme in Ku.
Kenyatta University delivers academic programmes ranging from certificate to doctoral level programmes across diverse fields and disciplines. There are 422 academic programmes at bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. The mode of delivery of the programmes include face to face (full time and part time), blended learning modes. Kenyatta university is centre of excellence in teaching, learning and research, the university has over years invested in facilities and equipment, academic and non-academic staff. The university has sufficient resource materials to facilitate and enhance the quality of teaching, learning and research in tandem with the university vision and mission and in line with global demands. The programme is indeed highly developed in KU. Kenyatta university is also ranked highly in Kenya.