Education

Bachelor of Arts in Guidance and Counselling

The Bachelor of Arts in Guidance and Counselling is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in guidance and counselling. The programme falls under the Humanities & Social Sciences category and typically spans 4 Years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Counselling Theories and Techniques, Developmental Psychology, Assessment and Intervention Strategies, Career Guidance and Academic Advising, Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Research Methods. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Active Listening, Behaviour modification, Career guidance, Counselling Techniques, Crisis Intervention. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Counselling Theories, Human Growth and Development, Communication Skills for Counsellors, Developmental Psychology, Career Guidance and Academic Advising. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in School Counselling, Career Guidance, Family Counselling. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Guidance and Counselling pursue careers as School Counsellor, Career Advisor, Rehabilitation Counsellor, Community Support Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 283,135
Private, up to: Ksh 161,600
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Counselling Theories and Techniques
Developmental Psychology
Assessment and Intervention Strategies
Career Guidance and Academic Advising
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Research Methods
Professional Ethics
Group Counselling
Family Counselling
Substance Abuse Counselling

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Counselling Theories
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational study of major counselling theories and their application in practice.
Human Growth and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of human development across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, and psychosocial stages.
Communication Skills for Counsellors
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Development of active listening, empathy, and interpersonal communication skills for counselling practice.
Developmental Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Psychological theories of human development and their relevance to guidance and counselling.
Career Guidance and Academic Advising
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and techniques of career guidance, including assessment tools and career planning strategies.
Group Counselling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Theory and practice of group counselling, including group dynamics, facilitation, and therapeutic processes.
Assessment and Intervention Strategies
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Methods for assessing client needs and designing appropriate counselling interventions.
Substance Abuse Counselling
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Counselling approaches for prevention, management, and rehabilitation of substance abuse disorders.
Counselling Practicum
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised practical counselling experience in a school, rehabilitation centre, or community organisation.
Family Counselling and Therapy
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and techniques of family counselling, including family systems theory and conflict resolution.
Crisis Counselling
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Immediate and short-term counselling interventions for individuals experiencing crises or trauma.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a guidance and counselling topic, involving literature review, data collection, and dissertation.

Specialisations

School Counselling
Application of counselling principles in educational settings, supporting students' academic, personal, and social development.
Career Guidance
Helping individuals make informed career decisions through assessment, advising, and career planning.
Family Counselling
Counselling approaches for family dynamics, relationships, and conflict resolution. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Substance Abuse Counselling
Counselling techniques for prevention, management, and rehabilitation of substance abuse. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Crisis Counselling
Immediate and short-term counselling interventions for individuals experiencing crises or trauma. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines classroom learning with practical counselling exercises. Morning sessions cover counselling theories, developmental psychology, or assessment techniques, while afternoons focus on role plays, case studies, and supervised practice. Students practise active listening, conduct mock counselling sessions, and analyse case studies. The counselling practicum in later years provides real-world experience in schools or community organisations under professional supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing awareness of mental health in Kenya increases demand for qualified counselling professionals.
Programme combines theory with supervised practicum, ensuring practical readiness.
Diverse career paths in schools, NGOs, rehabilitation centres, and private practice.
UEAB's faith-based values provide a holistic approach to counselling education.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice.
Self-sponsored fees at a private university are higher than public university alternatives.
Counselling work can be emotionally demanding, requiring strong self-care practices.
Professional certification through KCPA or KAPC may be required for certain roles.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public283k to 283k

283k at Kisii University283k at Kisii University

Private84k to 162k

84k at Lukenya University162k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Kisii B.Ed 283,135/yr (KUCCPS). Lukenya 84,000/yr, MKU 105,000/yr, UEAB 161,600/yr (official).

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. UEAB offers internal bursaries and financial aid for needy students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Scholarship
Students placed by KUCCPS in recognised universities
University of Eastern Africa Baraton Bursaries
Bursary
Academically outstanding and financially needy students

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) Student Support
BursaryKenyan
Students pursuing counselling and psychology programmes
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
UEAB Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: A-Level with two principal passes and two subsidiary passes; OR Diploma in Education, Guidance and Counselling, or related area from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the University Senate in accordance with CUE guidelines.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, case study analyses, role play assessments, and class participation during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering counselling theories, psychology, and professional practice.
Counselling Practicum Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of supervised counselling practice, including supervisor evaluation, case reports, and client feedback.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving literature review, data collection, analysis, and a written dissertation.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

School Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000
Provides guidance and counselling services to students in schools, supporting academic, personal, and social development.
Career Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Helps individuals make informed career decisions through assessment, advising, and career planning.
Rehabilitation Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 85,000
Works with individuals recovering from substance abuse, injury, or trauma in rehabilitation centres.
Community Support Officer
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 70,000
Provides counselling and psychosocial support in community-based programmes and NGOs.
Guidance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Provides guidance services in educational institutions, government departments, or organisations.
Family Counsellor
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Provides counselling services to families experiencing relationship or parenting challenges.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as school counsellors, guidance officers, career advisors, and rehabilitation counsellors. Demand is moderate with growing awareness of mental health and psychosocial support.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Counselling Assessment Tools
AssessmentPrimary
Standardised psychological and counselling assessment instruments used in professional practice.
SPSS
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis software for research projects and data analysis in counselling studies.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for case notes, reports, and presentations.
E-Counselling Platforms
Digital tools
Online counselling platforms for remote counselling sessions and client management.
Reference Manager (Mendeley)
Research
Reference management software for research projects and literature reviews.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Guidance and counselling is just about giving advice.
The programme involves rigorous study of psychological theories, assessment techniques, and evidence-based counselling interventions.
Counsellors only work in schools.
Graduates work in diverse settings including rehabilitation centres, NGOs, faith-based organisations, and private practice.
Anyone can be a counsellor without formal training.
Professional counselling requires theoretical knowledge, supervised practice, and ethical training provided by this degree programme.
Guidance and counselling is only for weak people.
Counselling supports individuals facing life challenges, career decisions, and mental health issues, serving people from all backgrounds.