The Masters in Banking programme is intended to provide a solid foundation, for  participantsin the areas of Banking, Finance and Microfinance Management. It is especially suited to practitioners in both public and public financial sector, a sector hitherto starved of more focused postgraduate degree courses.

This notwithstanding, the programme also targets individuals in economic institutions, other private sector firms and universities. Unlike the regular MBA, MBFM differs both in content and structure providing students with distinct and yet interrelated areas.  Emphasis is given to the acquisition of knowledge in analytical techniques, and development of sound financial sector’s management skills.  Further, research geared towards influencing policy is at the core of its activities with practitioners expected to infuse good R & D practices in their organizations on graduation.

The Inaugural Masters Class With the Programme Coordinator, Mr Phares Ochola (in red tie)

Programme Elements

The programme consist of  three elements:

• A highly rigorous core unit component consisting of foundation courses in quantitative methods, economics, and finance and research methods. 
• A more focused specialization areas allowing participants to choose from four options: Bank Management, Financial Sector Policy, Financial Markets, and Microfinance
• A three-month internship programme during which time the parctioners will be expected to undertake the research component.

Course Duration  

• The programme shall be taken on full-time and part-time basis.
• The full time component shall be taken over a period of 12 months while part-time classes over a period of a minimum of   two years and maximum of four years from the date of registration.
• The programme shall consist of Coursework, Examination and Project.  

Admission Requirements 

Candidates for admission into this programme must satisfy the following requirements: 

• Holders of first class or upper second class honours degree of Moi University or lower second-class honours with three years experience.
• Holders of a degree considered as equivalent to a first class or  upper  second-class honours  of Moi University, from an accredited university recognized by Moi University Senate. 

Pedagogical Methodology

In order to attain the learning objectives the following learning and teaching methods are used in this programme: 

1. Lecture Method  covering:
   • Introductory modules which among other things, aim to ensure participants acquire basics competencies in banking, finance, microfinance  and quantitative methods.                                        
   • Applied and analytical courses which aim to enable participants to relate learned theories to actual practice. 
2. Independent Study and Group discussions: In this programme, each course unit is allocate a significant proportion of time to group discussions derived from text book or internet research assignments.    
3. Case Studies:  As a participatory learning tool, contextualized and local case studies form a core component of the teaching and learning methodology in this course. The approach is a great departure from the usual pedagogical tools used in a majority of postgraduate business programmes.  
4. Simulations: Computer based simulation will be used to provide the unique practical component in this business programme. Towards this end, the KSMS has established a state of the art business laboratory equipped with up to date simulation software. 

Examination and Assessment  

1. Candidates shall be expected to pass in all the prescribed courses in a given programme. The pass mark is 50%.  
2. Assessment in this programme shall consist of the following: 
   • A written examination constituting 60% of the total marks in each course
   • Continuous assessment based on essays, practical assignments, case studies and any other tests prescribed. This will normally constitute 40% of the total marks
   • Continuous assessments will vary according to the subject area concerned but will normally be written in the form of individual or group projects
   • Student with marks lower than 50%  in one or more courses will have to re-take the examinations.
   • The Moi University regulations governing postgraduate examinations shall apply. In addition to this,  Moi University regulation governing the assessment of the postgraduate projects will also apply in the assessment of the projects under the programme

Grading System 

The grading system will be as given in the following table: 

Conduct of Studies and Supervision  

• At the beginning of each semester, each academic staff member will be given a pre-prepared course outline which MUST be covered to the full. 
• A student registered in accordance with the regulations governing this course shall be required to pursue to the full the prescribed programme of study and follow a supervision schedule designed be an appointed member of staff by the School and approved by Moi University senate.
• At the beginning of  the first semester, each student shall be assigned an academic advisor drawn from among academic members of staff constituting the Graduate Committee  
• An academic advisor shall advise the student on matters pertaining to the selection of taught courses and the identification of a suitable research area,
• An academic advisor may not necessarily be the students’ thesis/project supervisor.  
• After successful completion of specialization units, each student will be required to submit a research proposal following prescribed guidelines to the Moi University Graduate school  through Kenya School of Monetary Studies.  

Course Structure  

The 12 month course will include  

• Eight (8) months coursework to cover general core prerequisites and any one of the following four specialization options:                                                      

i.            Bank Management                                                    

 ii.            Financial Sector Policy                                                  

iii.            Financial Markets.                                                 

 iv.            Microfinance  

• Four (4) months of Research Project  

Course Units 

Core Units   

• MBF 810: Economics
• MBF 811: Finance
• MBF 812: Quantitative Methods
• MBF 813: Financial Law
• MBF 814: Management Information System
• MBF 815: Research Methods
• MBF 816: Corporate Governance
• MBF 817: Banking Theory and Practice
• MBF 899:  Research Project 

Specialization Options                                                           

i.      Bank Management Options  

• MBF 820: Banking Operations
• MBF 821: Risk Management in Banks
• MBF 822: International Banking
• MBF 823: Strategic Bank Management
• MBF 824: Real Estate Finance                                                        

ii.      Financial Sector Policy Option

• MBF 830:  Public Finance and Policy
• MBF 831:  Financial Systems and Theory
• MBF 832:  Macro Economic Policy and Management
• MBF 833:  Regulation and Competition Policy                                                    

iii.      Financial Markets  Option  

• MBF 840:  Financial Markets
• MBF 841:  Financial Intermediation
• MBF 842:  International Finance
• MBF 843:  Seminars in Finance                                                      

iv.      Microfinance Option   

• MBF 850:  Microfinance Models and Practice
• MBF 851: Microfinance Operations  and Management
• MBF 852: Microfinance Institutional Development
• MBF 853: Microfinance Regulation  Framework    

The Course Description is here.