Bachelor of Arts in Theology (Christian Ministries and Missiology)
The Bachelor of Arts in Theology (Christian Ministries and Missiology) is a programme that combines theological study with Christian ministry and missiology. Offered at theological institutions and universities, the programme prepares graduates for careers in church ministry, missions and Christian leadership.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 189,004 a year at a public institution, Ksh 756,016 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 171,400 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 11 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Applied Ethicist, at 20 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers Old Testament studies, New Testament studies, systematic theology, church history, biblical languages, Christian ministry, pastoral care, preaching, Christian education, missiology, intercultural missions, church planting, evangelism, contextual theology, African Christianity, research methods, and a research project. Students develop both theological and missiological skills.
The programme is designed to produce graduates who can lead Christian ministries and engage in cross-cultural missions. The programme combines theological depth with practical ministry and missiology, preparing graduates for church and mission service.
Graduates are prepared for careers as pastors, missionaries, church planters, ministry leaders, Christian educators, chaplains, mission agency directors, theological educators, church administrators, evangelists and researchers. They work in churches, mission agencies, Christian NGOs, educational institutions, theological seminaries and parachurch organisations.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in Christian Religious Education.
Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.
What you study
10 subjects- Old Testament Studies
- New Testament Studies
- Systematic Theology
- Christian Ministry
- Pastoral Care
- Missiology
- Intercultural Missions
- Church Planting
- African Christianity
- Research Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeOld Testament Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of the Old Testament. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
New Testament Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of the New Testament. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Systematic Theology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Systematic theological study. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Christian Ministry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Ministry principles and practice. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Pastoral Care
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Care for congregation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Missiology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of missions. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Intercultural Missions
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Cross-cultural ministry. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Church Planting
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Establishing new churches. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
African Christianity
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Christianity in Africa. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Research Methods
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methodology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Specialisations
Church Planting
Focus on planting churches. 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.
Missiology
Focus on missions. 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 Ministry
Focus on church ministry. 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. 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 involves attending lectures on theology and missiology, studying biblical texts, researching church history, studying systematic theology, researching missions, studying pastoral care, analysing African Christianity, participating in ministry practicum, studying intercultural missions, and engaging with current theological and missiological issues. Students undertake ministry internships.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Meaningful career in church ministry and missions | Limited career paths outside religious settings |
| Combines theological depth with practical ministry | Some positions may have modest compensation |
| Addresses contemporary missiological challenges | Requires personal faith commitment |
| — | May require postgraduate qualifications for teaching |
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 coursesAnnual 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 153K, UoN 189K/yr. ILU 137.6K/yr, St Paul's 85.7K/sem=171.4K/yr.
HELB provides loans up to KSh 60,000 per year. Theological institutions may offer scholarships for ministry candidates.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Institutional Scholarships
Scholarships
5 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Church and Denominational Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Students pursuing theology and religious studies affiliated with partner churches
St. Paul's University Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to theology and related programmes at St. Paul's University
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes at recognised institutions
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKenyan
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Christian Religious Education. KACE with two principal passes. Diploma in theology, ministry or related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 11 institutionsIncluding Scott Christian University, St. Paul's University, Africa International University.
Including Scott Christian University, St. Paul's University, Africa Nazarene University.
Including Scott Christian University, St. Paul's University, Africa International University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsEnd of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Final written examinations covering all semester content
Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular tests, essays, sermons, presentations and class participation
Ministry Internship and Research Project
Practical30% of the mark
Ministry internship and theological research project
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Falls under KUCCPS Cluster 20. Admission requires KCSE C+ with C+ in Christian Religious Education.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesChristian Educator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches Christian education
Pastor
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Leads church ministry
Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides chaplaincy
Church Planter
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 200,000
Establishes new churches
Missionary
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 180,000
Engages in cross-cultural missions
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as pastors, missionaries, church planters and ministry leaders in churches, mission agencies and Christian organisations.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Applied EthicistArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- ChoreographerArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- Interfaith Dialogue FacilitatorArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- EpigrapherArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Indigenous Knowledge SpecialistArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Manuscript ConservatorArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Museum EducatorArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Theological ResearcherArts & Humanities22Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Power BI
Analytics
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Theology is just about preaching.
The programme covers biblical studies, systematic theology, missiology, pastoral care and research methods.
This is only for pastors.
Graduates work in missions, Christian education, chaplaincy, NGOs and theological education.
Missiology is outdated.
Missiology addresses contemporary challenges in cross-cultural ministry and contextual theology.
There are no career prospects in theology.
Churches, mission agencies and Christian organisations need trained theological professionals.