Overview
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of this programme is to inspire the learners to take a leading role in environmental decision making and policy initiatives.
RATIONALE
Needs Assessment
Environmental degradation is one of the biggest challenges in the 21st century. In response, individuals, civil societies, corporate organisations, academia and governments around the world have been pursuing environmental sustainability as a policy goal. This has been supported by an array of new policies ranging from international agreements, national strategies, environmental laws and local plans. These have culminated with the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. Despite these efforts, decades of scientific monitoring indicate that the world is no closer to environmental sustainability. There is therefore an increased need for innovation in the design and implementation of environmental policies. However, there is insufficient expertise to meet these needs, especially in the African continent.
The programme is therefore expected to ground learners in multidisciplinary research and development of innovative solutions in response to environmental challenges.
Goal of the Programme
The goal of this programme is to provide the learner with broad knowledge, competencies, and attitudes that enhance leadership in environmental policy practice and advancement of scholarship.
Objectives
a) Enable students to have good knowledge of environmental law and equip them with hands-on and relevant skills in environmental governance;
b) Provide specialised training for those interested in practising environmental law as a specialised discipline either as drafters, legal advisers, corporate lawyers or legal practitioners;
c) Develop a cadre of professionals with skills and expertise to incorporate environmental considerations in all planning and legal instruments
d) Promote knowledge and insights for protection of the threshold of sustainability in the utilization or enjoyment of the environment;
e) Prepare managers for informed interventions, avoidance and/or settlement of disputes on environmental matters; and
f) Offer quality training to prepare those aspiring to pursue scholarship at doctoral, research or teaching levels to ensure inter-generational succession of environmental management experts.
Structure
4.1 The programme covers a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve semesters of fifteen weeks each.
4.2 The degree programme shall consist of either:
i) Coursework, examination and a research project which is equivalent to four course units; or
ii) Coursework, examination and thesis.
4.3 Each course unit shall comprise of 45 lecture hours.
4.4 Each candidate undertaking the programme by coursework, examination and research project shall:
i) Take sixteen taught course units comprising ten Core, four Specialization and two Electives;
ii) Undertake a Research Project in the chosen area of specialization.
4.5 Each candidate undertaking the programme by coursework, examination and thesis shall:
i) Take twelve taught course units comprising ten Core, and two from either the Specialization or Electives;
ii) On successful completion of the coursework, undertake research and write a thesis.
4.6 All students shall notify the Director of CASELAP, in writing, whether they will opt for a project paper or thesis, on the last day of classes of the second semester in the first academic year.
4.6.1 The candidates opting for research project shall, under the guidance of assigned supervisors, prepare a proposal during the third semester.
4.6.2 The candidates opting for thesis shall, under the guidance of assigned supervisors, prepare a research proposal at the start of the second academic year.
4.7 The research and writing of the thesis must be of such depth and scope as to show reasonable understanding of theory and methods in environmental studies. To that effect, the student shall maintain such contact with the supervisor as will be prescribed by the Director, CASELAP.
4.8 Where a student fails to complete the programme or take examinations within the scheduled time and valid reasons are furnished, an incomplete remark will be entered on the student’s record at the end of the semester.
(a) Candidates are expected to take a special examination or complete the programme within twenty-four months of the entry of an incomplete remark, whichever is applicable.
(b) If a student is unable to take examinations or complete the programme within twenty-four months of the entry of an incomplete remark, the student will be required to reapply for admission.
(c) Candidates shall be allowed to continue their course of study beyond the stipulated duration and for a specified duration upon furnishing CASELAP with valid reasons for exemption.
(d) Exemptions and extensions will only be granted in the most deserving of cases as determined by the CASELAP Board.
(e) In the case of sponsored/funded students, decisions to extend the duration of the programme shall be made in consultation with the funders/sponsors.
4.9 A student wishing to defer admission shall write to the Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies, through the Director of CASELAP, stating the reasons for deferral and when admission will be taken up.
4.10 Deferrals shall not be granted beyond a period of twelve months unless with approval of the Board of Postgraduate Studies.
4.11 Students may withdraw from the programme by notifying the Academic Registrar through the Directors of CASELAP and Board of Postgraduate Studies, in writing.
Exams Regulations
6.1 Written Examination
6.1.1 The common regulations of the University governing examinations shall apply.
6.1.2 Students shall take written examinations at end of each semester.
6.1.3 The end of semester examinations shall constitute 60% of total course marks whereas continuous assessment tests shall account for 40%.
6.1.4 The end of semester examination shall be of three hours.
6.1.5 The pass mark shall be 50%. Grading shall be based on the following Scale:
Class Mark (%)
A 70-100
B 60-69
C 50-59
D 0-49
6.1.6 A student who fails to obtain pass mark in any course may be allowed to take supplementary examination in the failed paper(s).
6.1.7 A student shall only be permitted to take supplementary examination in a maximum of two course units.
6.1.8 A student who fails in more than two papers, in one academic year, may, on recommendation of CASELAP Board, be discontinued by Senate.
6.1.9 A pass obtained by supplementary examination shall be recorded as 50%.
6.1.10 A student who fails in the supplementary examination or fails to complete the course work in the prescribed time shall, on recommendation of the Board of CASELAP and approval of the Senate, be discontinued.
6.1.11 There shall be a special examination where a student fails to take scheduled examination provided there are satisfactory reasons.
6.2 Examination of Research Projects
6.2.1 Students shall be required to submit Research Projects for examination at least three weeks before end of semester in which they areto be examined.
6.2.2 The Research Project shall be examined by two internal examiners, and the CASELAP appointed external examiner for the year and subjected to oral defence by a panel constituted by the director of CASELAP.
6.2.3 The pass mark for the Research Project shall be 50%.
6.2.4 A student who fails in the Research Project may, on recommendation of the CASELAP Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to re-submit the project for examination, within the stipulated period.
6.2.5 A pass obtained in the re-submission of a research project shall be recorded as 50%.
6.2.6 A student who fails to obtain a pass mark in the project paper at the second re-submission shall, on recommendation of CASELAP Board and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
6.3 Examination of Thesis
6.3.2 The thesis shall, on submission, be examined by two internal examiners from CASELAP and one external examiner. The students shall present themselves for oral examination and defend the research findings before a CASELAP panel of examiners constituted by the director of CASELAP in consultation with Board of Postgraduate Studies.
6.3.3 The pass mark for the thesis shall be 50%.
6.3.4 A student who fails in the thesis may, on recommendation of the CASELAP Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to re-submit the thesis for examination within the stipulated period.
6.3.5 A pass obtained in the re-submission of the thesis shall be recorded as 50%.
6.3.6 A student who fails to obtain a pass mark in the thesis at the re-submission shall, on recommendation of CASELAP Board and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
Admission Requirements
2.1 The common regulations for the Masters Degree of the University of Nairobi shall apply.
2.2 The following shall be eligible for admission:
a) Holders of a Bachelor’s degree, Upper Second Class Honours, or equivalent with courses that include environment, natural resources and/or social science related fields.
b) Holders of Bachelor’s degree Lower Second Class, or equivalent in the areas specified in (a) above, plus a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field.
c) Holders of Bachelors Degree, Lower Second Class, or equivalent in the areas specified above plus three years relevant experience.
d) Holders of Bachelors Degree, Pass in the areas specified above plus a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field, and two years relevant experience.
e) Holders of Bachelors Degree, Pass in the areas specified above plus five years relevant experience.
Fees and Funding
| MASTER OF ARTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY - Z50 | |||
| TUITION | 21000 | ||
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 1000 | ||
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6500 | ||
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7000 | ||
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5000 | ||
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5000 | ||
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2000 | ||
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2250 | ||
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1000 | ||
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1000 | ||
| THESIS EXAMINATION | 30000 | ||
| Year 1-semester 1 | Year 1-semester 2 | Year 2 | |
| 6 units | 6 units | Theis-Equiv to 8 units | |
| TUITION | 126000 | 126000 | 168000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 6000 | 6000 | 6000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6500 | 0 | 6500 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7000 | 0 | 7000 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5000 | 0 | 0 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5000 | 0 | 5000 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2000 | 0 | 2000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2250 | 2250 | 4500 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1000 | 0 | 1000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1000 | 0 | 1000 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | 0 | 0 | 30000 |
| Totals | 161750 | 134250 | 231000 |
| Grand Total | 527000 | ||