Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Theology

The Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Theology is a four-year degree programme that equips students with theological knowledge and pastoral skills for Christian ministry and leadership. The programme integrates biblical studies, theology, and practical ministry training, preparing graduates for pastoral roles in churches, para-church organisations, and community settings.

The curriculum covers Old and New Testament studies, systematic theology, church history, pastoral care, homiletics, Christian ethics, missions, church administration, counselling, liturgy, and contextual theology. Students study biblical texts, theological concepts, and pastoral practices from historical and contemporary perspectives.

Students develop competencies in biblical interpretation, theological reflection, pastoral care, preaching, counselling, church administration, and community engagement. The programme combines lectures, seminars, field education, and supervised ministry placements. Students engage with congregations through internships, pastoral care visits, and community service.

Graduates pursue careers as pastors, chaplains, church administrators, Christian educators, counsellors, and mission workers. They find employment in churches, schools, hospitals, NGOs, and community organisations. Kenya's vibrant religious landscape creates demand for trained pastoral leaders across denominations.

The programme is offered at Kenya Highlands Evangelical University and Great Lakes University of Kisumu, both private universities. Annual tuition fees range from KSH 109,000 at Great Lakes University to KSH 114,450 at Kenya Highlands Evangelical University. The programme is delivered over eight semesters with full-time and part-time study options.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a C+ in a religion-related subject, following KUCCPS cluster 20 subject requirements. The programme also accepts diploma holders and A-level holders with appropriate qualifications.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 114,450
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Old Testament Studies
New Testament Studies
Systematic Theology
Church History
Pastoral Care
Homiletics
Christian Ethics
Missions
Church Administration
Counselling

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Old Testament
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of the Old Testament, including historical context, literary forms, and theological themes.
Introduction to New Testament
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of the New Testament, including historical context, literary forms, and theological themes.
Systematic Theology I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundational doctrines of Christian theology, including the nature of God, Christology, and pneumatology.
Church History I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
History of the Christian church from the early church to the Reformation, including key figures and movements.
Homiletics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and practice of preaching, including sermon preparation, delivery, and biblical exposition.
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and techniques of pastoral care and counselling, including crisis intervention and grief support.
Christian Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles from a Christian perspective, including moral reasoning, social ethics, and contemporary issues.
Missions and Evangelism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Biblical and theological foundations of missions, including cross-cultural evangelism and church planting strategies.
Church Administration
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of church leadership and administration, including governance, finance, and organisational management.
Contextual Theology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Theology in the African context, including inculturation, African theology, and contextualisation of Christian faith.
Field Education and Supervised Ministry
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Supervised ministry placement in a church or organisation, including pastoral practice, reflection, and evaluation.
Research Project in Pastoral Theology
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a pastoral theology topic, including literature review, field research, and written dissertation.

Specialisations

Pastoral Care and Counselling
Focus on providing spiritual and emotional care to individuals and families in pastoral settings. 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.
Biblical Studies
Focus on in-depth study of biblical texts, languages, and interpretation methods. 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.
Church Administration
Focus on managing church operations, including leadership, finance, and organisational development. 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.
Missions and Evangelism
Focus on cross-cultural missions, evangelism strategies, and church planting. 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.
Christian Education
Focus on teaching Christian faith in educational settings, including Sunday school and theological colleges.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, seminars, and practical ministry training. Morning sessions cover biblical studies, theology, or church history, while afternoons focus on homiletics workshops, counselling practicals, or pastoral care training. Students engage in biblical exegesis, sermon preparation, and theological reflection. Group projects involve designing worship services, planning community outreach programmes, and conducting pastoral care visits. Students participate in chapel services, ministry teams, and supervised field education placements in local churches and community organisations.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme provides both theological knowledge and practical ministry skills for pastoral leadership.
Kenya's vibrant religious landscape creates demand for trained pastoral leaders across denominations.
Graduates develop transferable skills in counselling, leadership, and community engagement.
Programme includes supervised field education for real-world ministry experience.

Against it

Programme is offered at only two private universities, limiting institutional choice.
Pastoral ministry salaries are often modest, especially in smaller congregations.
Ordination requirements vary by denomination and may require additional training beyond the degree.
Career opportunities outside religious institutions may be limited without additional qualifications.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 114k

109k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu114k at Kenya Highlands Evangelical University

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

KU BA 153K, UoN BA 189K/yr. GLUK 109K, KHEU 114.5K/yr. KUCCPS+univ sites

HELB loans are available for eligible students. Universities offer internal bursaries and church sponsorships for needy students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
St. Paul's University Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to theology and related programmes at St. Paul's University
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points for participating universities.
Church and Denominational Scholarships
Institutional scholarshipKenyan
Students sponsored by their churches or denominations for theological training.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in any religion-related subject; OR KCSE mean grade C plain with a relevant diploma from a recognised institution; OR KACE with two principal passes; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, exegetical assignments, sermon presentations, and seminar participation during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering biblical studies, theology, church history, and pastoral care.
Field Education Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of supervised ministry placement, including supervisor evaluation, ministry portfolio, and reflection reports.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on a pastoral theology topic, including literature review, field research, and 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

Pastor
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provides spiritual leadership, preaches, administers sacraments, and oversees church operations.
Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides pastoral care in hospitals, schools, prisons, and military institutions.
Church Administrator
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages church operations, including finance, human resources, and programme coordination.
Christian Educator
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Teaches Christian faith in schools, Sunday schools, and theological training institutions.
Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides pastoral counselling to individuals, couples, and families in church and community settings.
Mission Worker
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 90,000
Engages in cross-cultural missions, evangelism, and community development in local and international settings.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as pastors, chaplains, church administrators, and Christian educators. Demand is moderate within Kenya's vibrant religious sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Logos Bible Software
Biblical studiesPrimary
Digital library and Bible study software for biblical research, exegesis, and sermon preparation.
BibleWorks
Biblical studies
Bible analysis software for original language study and biblical research.
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for research papers, sermon notes, and church administration documents.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for church administration, team communication, and document sharing.
Accordance Bible Software
Biblical studies
Bible study software for advanced biblical research and original language analysis.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Pastoral Theology is only for those who want to become pastors.
Graduates work as chaplains, counsellors, educators, administrators, and development workers across diverse sectors.
Theology is not an academic discipline.
The programme includes rigorous study of biblical languages, systematic theology, church history, and research methods.
Pastoral Theology graduates cannot find employment outside churches.
Graduates work in schools, hospitals, NGOs, correctional facilities, and community organisations in various roles.
You need to be ordained to benefit from this degree.
The programme develops transferable skills in counselling, leadership, communication, and community engagement valued across sectors.