Introduction

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is increasingly recognized as an indispensable management function. M&E activities have now become a regular feature of the planning and implementation of all social interventions. New programmes and interventions have to be regularly monitored and evaluated. M&E activities in many organizations are responding to the intensified focus on outcomes by shifting towards better measurement of performance and more systematic monitoring and reporting. The growing demand for development effectiveness is largely based on the realization that producing good “deliverables” is not enough. To support this strategic shift toward results, many organizations need strong and coherent monitoring and evaluation professionals who can promote learning and performance measurement. Efficient or well-managed projects and outputs will lose their relevance if they yield no discernible improvement in development conditions and ultimately on peoples’ lives.

The Master of Arts in Monitoring & Evaluation is a multidisciplinary programme that prepares students to engage in interrelated skills and competencies in monitoring and evaluation that anchor the design, delivery, oversight, and evaluation of a wide array of development projects and programs. The course aims to enhance accountability, improve performance, increase internal and external learning on organizational projects so as to improve the relevance, methods, and outcomes of programmes; to provide information to enhance advocacy for policies, programmes, and resources. The masters’ course is designed for those who are tasked or who aspire to be involved with the design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of public and private programmes and interventions. It will equip students, Monitoring & Evaluation Officers in government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local community Institutions with key knowledge and elements needed to monitor and evaluate projects, learn to develop, maintain and implement an M&E system. It also prepares students to undertake further studies. It exposes students to various disciplines that are appropriate to Monitoring & Evaluation programmes giving special emphasis to the setting up of M&E systems and tracking mechanisms of development projects and programmes.

 

Strategic Objective of the Programme

The programs are developed within the national framework of institutions to be able to effectively have the capacity for instituting monitoring and evaluation capacity. It is anchored on the adage that that which gets monitored gets done. It is the objective of this program that the skills so gained by professionals produced by this program will create national and regional capacity for sustainable development and that these skills would have global relevance.

 

The Philosophy

There is a need for a degree program that addresses the myriad issues that are key to development with a special focus on components of monitoring and evaluation. It provides capacity that addresses the multifaceted needs to ensure the success of development interventions by providing a framework for monitoring progress and evaluation of achievements.

Consistent with Maseno University’s vision to be a center of excellence in training, research, and development, the Department strives to engender into its students the awareness (through its curriculum) of sustainable management, as the philosophy of management of development interventions, environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability. With the School of Planning already running-related programs, the proposed program intends to take advantage of this by training future M&E Managers to interact with other related professionals within local regional, and global scenarios of the built environment while combining rudimental and high tech technologies.

 

The goal of the Programme 

The goal of the program is to make students familiar with and curious monitoring and evaluation of development interventions across all spatial scales through historical, critical reflection, technical, design, and social dimensions. 

 

Further, the program will aim to:

• Equip students with a firm theoretical background and practical skills in monitoring and evaluation projects and programmes at different operational levels. 
• Train students on the principles, concepts, and theories of monitoring and evaluation
• Enlighten students on different methods of systematic inquiry applicable to formulate and answer monitoring and evaluation questions in programmes
• Train students on the different types and methods of monitoring and evaluation
• Prepare students to undertake research and postgraduate studies

 

Course Work, Examination, and Project

SEMESTER 1

 

SEMESTER 2

 

SEMESTER 3

 

SEMESTER 4

 

Coursework, Examination, and Thesis

SEMESTER 1

 

SEMESTER 2

 

SEMESTER 3

 

SEMESTER 4

 

Coursework, Examination, and Project

SEMESTER 1

 

SEMESTER 2

 

SEMESTER 3

 

SEMESTER 4

 

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

Admission Requirements for the Proposed Programme

To qualify for admission to the Master of Arts in Project planning and management, applicants should have  at least

 The minimum admission requirements for Maseno University shall apply;

• In addition, the candidate must have at least an upper second class honors degree of Maseno University or any other recognized university 
• Holders of a Lower second class honors degree of Maseno University or any other recognized university with evidence of extensive research experience as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Holders of Pass degree and a post-graduate diploma of Maseno University or any other recognized university 

 

            Duration of programme 

1. The curriculum for the degree program shall normally be two academic years.
2. Each academic year shall normally be divided into two semesters of fifteen (15) weeks each. The fifteen weeks shall be divided into one (1) week for preparation, twelve (12) weeks of teaching, and two (2) weeks of examination. 

 

Course structure

1. The curriculum shall consist of an approved scheme of study
2. A candidate for the degree shall satisfactorily complete such studio work, coursework, continuous assessment tests, and practical assignment as may be prescribed for the scheme of study. Satisfactory completion of such requirements shall be a condition for admission to the examinations at the end of the respective semester of study.
3. A candidate for the degree shall be required to attend not less than two-thirds of the total lecture hours of all prescribed courses and this will be pegged on punctuality and attainment of the academic quarter. The fulfillment of the requirement shall be a condition for admission to the examinations at the end of each respective semester of study.

 

 

DETAILED COURSE STRUCTURE

-The course outline is structured within a Two Year time frame that encompasses.

-Core, Required and Elective Courses.

-Students will take units from the School of Planning and Architecture plus any other approved University units.

-The thesis/Project is compulsory for all students.

 

The programme shall consist of two-stream options; Coursework, examination and thesis or Coursework, examination and project. The programme shall consist of units which shall be distributed over four semesters as follows;