Education

Bachelor of Education in Counselling

The Bachelor of Education in Counselling is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching and counselling careers in educational institutions. Students study education theory, counselling psychology, guidance and counselling, educational psychology, curriculum development and teaching methods, developing skills for both classroom teaching and student support. The programme combines education training with counselling specialisation.

Students develop competencies in teaching, counselling, guidance, educational psychology, classroom management, student support, behavioural intervention and curriculum development. They learn to teach subjects, provide counselling services, support student wellbeing, manage classroom dynamics and develop guidance programmes. The programme covers both education principles and counselling techniques.

In Kenya, counselling in schools is increasingly important as students face academic pressure, social challenges and mental health concerns. The Competency-Based Curriculum emphasises learner wellbeing and pastoral care. Secondary schools, primary schools and teacher training institutions require teachers with counselling skills. TSC employs teachers while schools increasingly designate counselling teachers. Graduates find roles in schools, educational institutions, counselling centres and youth organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, counselling practicum, teaching practice, micro-teaching sessions, case studies and research projects. Students develop lesson plans, practise counselling skills, teach classes and undertake teaching practice in schools. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as counselling teachers, school counsellors, guidance teachers, education officers and youth counsellors. Some work in secondary or primary schools as subject teachers with counselling responsibilities. Others join educational institutions, counselling centres or youth organisations.

This programme is ideal for individuals with empathy, communication skills and interest in student support. Students who enjoy teaching, counselling and helping young people will find this programme particularly fulfilling.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Private, up to: Ksh 188,500
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
Counselling Theory and Practice
Guidance and Counselling in Schools
Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods
Classroom Management and Behaviour Support
Adolescent Psychology and Development
Career Guidance and Counselling
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education
Educational Assessment and Evaluation
Research Methods in Education and Counselling

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education, including history, philosophy and sociology of education
Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Psychological principles of learning, development and motivation in educational settings
Introduction to Counselling Theory
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Foundations of counselling theory, including approaches, ethics and the counselling relationship
Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design and teaching methods for effective classroom instruction
Guidance and Counselling in Schools
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
School-based guidance and counselling programmes, including programme design and implementation
Adolescent Psychology and Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Adolescent development, including physical, cognitive, social and emotional changes
Counselling Practice and Techniques
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical counselling skills, including active listening, questioning and intervention techniques
Career Guidance and Counselling
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Career Guidance and Counselling: Career development theory, career assessment and guidance for students Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education: Mental health issues in schools, including identification, support and referral Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Classroom Management and Behaviour Support
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Classroom Management and Behaviour Support: Classroom management strategies and behavioural support for diverse learners Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational conte...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research on a selected education and counselling topic producing a scholarly dissertation
Teaching Practice
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice in a school, including classroom teaching and counselling responsibilities

Specialisations

Career Guidance
Specialization in Career Guidance, preparing graduates for careers such as school-guidance-counselor.
Classroom Teaching
Specialization in Classroom Teaching, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher. 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.
Mental Health in Schools
Specialization in Mental Health in Schools, preparing graduates for careers such as school-psychologist.
Adolescent Counselling
Specialization in Adolescent Counselling, preparing graduates for careers such as school-counsellor.
School Counselling
Specialization in School Counselling, preparing graduates for careers such as school-counsellor. 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.
Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on education theory or counselling with afternoon teaching practice or counselling practicum. Students may develop lesson plans, practise counselling skills, teach classes or work on guidance programme development.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines teaching with in-demand counselling skills
Growing recognition of student mental health needs
Diverse career paths in education and counselling
Opportunity to support student wellbeing and development

Against it

Counselling work can be emotionally demanding
Some schools may not have dedicated counselling positions
May require additional counselling certifications for advanced practice
Balancing teaching and counselling responsibilities can be challenging

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

Public184k to 245k

184k at Karatina University245k at Moi University

Private96k to 189k

96k at Islamic University of Kenya189k at Marist International 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

Moi 244,800 to 183,600/yr (KUCCPS). Islamic Univ 96K to Marist 188,500/yr (KUCCPS).

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some schools and counselling organisations offer stipends during teaching practice periods.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions
Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) Student Support
BursaryKenyan
Students pursuing counselling and psychology programmes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English/Kiswahili
C+
Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C+
Any Group III subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework25% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Teaching Practice and Counselling Practicum
Coursework35% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). TSC registration is required for teaching in public schools in Kenya.

Accredited by

Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
InstitutionalRequired
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages education programmes and supports school administration
Youth Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Provides counselling and support services to young people in organisations
School Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides professional counselling services to students in educational institutions
Counselling Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches subjects and provides counselling support to students in schools
Guidance Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Provides academic and career guidance to students in schools

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as counselling teachers, school counsellors, guidance teachers, education officers and youth counsellors in secondary schools, primary schools, educational institutions, counselling centres and youth organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for educational data management, extension planning and IT project tracking.
PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation tool for teaching, farmer training and extension education sessions.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for educational and extension research.
Google Classroom
Software
Learning management system for agricultural education and online teaching.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Counselling teachers are not real counsellors
The programme provides professional counselling training specifically for educational contexts.
School counselling is just about giving advice
School counselling involves professional techniques, psychological assessment, crisis intervention and ongoing support.
There is no demand for counselling teachers
Schools increasingly recognise the need for student wellbeing support and counselling services.
This degree limits you to teaching only
Graduates can work in counselling centres, youth organisations, NGOs and educational administration.