Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Social Ministry in Mission

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Ministry in Mission is a programme that prepares students for social ministry and community development work within church and faith-based contexts. Offered at Tangaza University through its Institute of Social Ministry in Mission, the programme integrates theological reflection with social science perspectives to equip graduates for pastoral and development roles.

The curriculum covers social analysis, human development theories, Catholic social teaching, project planning and management, community development, peace and justice studies, pastoral ministry, research methods and social apostolate. Students develop skills in social analysis, community mobilisation, project management and pastoral accompaniment.

In Kenya, faith-based organisations play a significant role in community development, education and social services. The programme responds to the need for trained social ministers who can bridge church mission and social transformation, particularly in marginalised communities served by dioceses, parishes and Catholic development agencies.

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, field placements, community engagement and a research project. Students participate in supervised field attachments in parishes, diocesan development offices, NGOs and community-based organisations, gaining practical experience in social ministry and community development work.

Graduates pursue careers as social ministry coordinators, community development officers, project officers, pastoral agents and programme officers in dioceses, parishes, faith-based NGOs, Catholic relief agencies and community organisations. The programme also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in development studies, social ministry or theology.

Prospective students should have a commitment to social justice, an interest in faith-based community work and a desire to integrate pastoral ministry with social development. The programme is suitable for both direct entry students and practising pastoral agents seeking to formalise their experience with academic qualifications.

Duration: 4 years
Private, up to: Ksh 200,350
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Social Analysis
Human Development Theories
Catholic Social Teaching
Project Planning and Management
Community Development
Peace and Justice Studies
Pastoral Ministry
Research Methods
Social Apostolate
Faith-Based Development

Modules

11 in the programme

Foundations of Social Ministry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces the concept and practice of social ministry, exploring its biblical, theological and historical foundations within the Catholic tradition and its relevance to contemporary Kenyan society.
Social Analysis and Contextual Understanding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Equips students with analytical frameworks for understanding social structures, power dynamics and systemic issues affecting communities in Kenya and the wider East African region.
Catholic Social Teaching
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines key principles of Catholic social teaching including human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity and the common good, and their application to social and economic justice issues.
Theories of Human Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Explores major theories of human development including capability approaches, livelihoods frameworks and human development indices, applying them to Kenyan development contexts.
Project Planning and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the project management cycle including needs assessment, logical framework design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for faith-based and community development projects.
Community Development Practice
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines community development approaches including participatory development, asset-based community development and community mobilisation strategies used in Kenyan contexts.
Peace and Justice Studies
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Analyses conflict, peacebuilding and justice issues in Kenya, exploring the role of faith-based actors in promoting reconciliation, justice and peaceful coexistence.
Pastoral Ministry and Social Apostolate
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Integrates pastoral ministry with social action, exploring how church structures and faith communities can promote social transformation and the social apostolate.
Research Methods for Social Ministry
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Equips students with qualitative and participatory research skills for investigating social issues, designing community assessments and evaluating ministry interventions.
Social Ministry Field Attachment
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
A supervised field placement in a parish, diocesan development office, faith-based NGO or community organisation, providing practical experience in social ministry and community development.
Research Project in Social Ministry
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on a social ministry or community development topic, demonstrating the student's ability to integrate theory and practice through a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Community Development
Focuses on participatory community development practice, equipping graduates for roles in diocesan development offices and faith-based NGOs.
Pastoral Ministry
Specialises in pastoral accompaniment and parish-based social ministry, preparing graduates for roles as pastoral agents and social ministry coordinators.
Justice and Peace
Focuses on peacebuilding, justice advocacy and conflict transformation in faith-based contexts.
Project Management
Develops project planning and management skills for faith-based development organisations and church institutions.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on social analysis or Catholic social teaching, followed by a seminar discussing case studies of community development projects in Kenyan parishes. Afternoon sessions may include group work on project planning assignments or a guest presentation from a social ministry practitioner working in a diocesan development office. Students also engage in supervised field visits to community projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme uniquely integrates faith-based perspectives with professional development practice, preparing graduates for specialised roles in church and faith-based organisations.
Faith-based organisations are significant employers in Kenya's development sector, with dioceses, parishes and Catholic agencies maintaining consistent demand for trained social ministers.
The programme provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in development studies, social ministry or theology.

Against it

Career opportunities are primarily within faith-based organisations, which may offer lower salaries compared to the corporate or international NGO sectors.
The programme is offered at only one university in Kenya, limiting study location options.

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

Private200k to 200k

200k at Tangaza University College200k at Tangaza University College

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

Tangaza BA Social Ministry ~200,350/yr. Not offered at public universities. Src: Tangaza/eafinder

Students can access HELB loans and NGAAF bursaries. Tangaza University may offer internal bursaries for qualifying students through the Institute of Social Ministry in Mission.

Funding options

HELB Loan
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or KACE with at least 2 principal passes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Written examination40% of the mark
Mid-semester tests, essays and assignments covering course content, contributing to the continuous assessment grade.
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination60% of the mark
Final written examinations at the end of each semester testing comprehensive understanding of all modules covered.
Field Attachment Report
Practicum50% of the mark
A written report and oral presentation based on the supervised field attachment, assessed on practical learning and reflection.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project on a social ministry topic, assessed through a written dissertation and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Tangaza University received its charter in May 2024.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Tangaza University received its charter in May 2024.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Social Ministry Coordinator
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Coordinates social ministry programmes in dioceses and parishes, managing development projects and facilitating community engagement activities.
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 100,000
Facilitates community development initiatives in faith-based organisations and NGOs, working on participatory development and social transformation projects.
Project Officer
Moderate demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 110,000
Implements and monitors development projects in faith-based NGOs and community organisations, managing budgets, timelines and stakeholder relationships.
Pastoral Agent
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Provides pastoral and social ministry support in parishes and faith communities, accompanying community groups and facilitating social apostolate initiatives.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as social ministry coordinators, community development officers and project officers in dioceses, parishes and faith-based NGOs across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Social ministry is just about church work with no development impact.
Social ministry integrates faith-based approaches with professional community development practice, addressing real social, economic and justice issues in communities across Kenya.
The programme only leads to church employment.
Graduates work in a range of organisations including NGOs, community-based organisations, development agencies and government departments that value social analysis and community engagement skills.
You need to be Catholic to enrol or benefit from this programme.
While rooted in Catholic social teaching, the programme is open to all students and its social analysis and development skills are applicable across faith traditions and secular contexts.
Social ministry is not a real academic discipline.
The programme is accredited by CUE and combines rigorous social science coursework with theological reflection, producing graduates with recognised academic qualifications.