Education

Bachelor of Education (Arts) (Collaboration with St. Mary's University, USA)

The Bachelor of Education (Arts) in collaboration with St. Mary University of Minnesota is a four-year degree programme offered at Tangaza University in Nairobi. The programme combines teacher education with an international collaboration perspective, preparing graduates for teaching careers in Kenya and beyond.

The curriculum covers educational psychology, foundations of education, curriculum development, teaching methodology, assessment and evaluation, educational technology, special needs education, and supervised teaching practice in two subject specialisations.

Students develop skills in lesson planning, classroom management, student assessment, curriculum design, educational leadership, and the integration of technology in teaching. The programme includes supervised teaching practice in secondary schools.

Graduates pursue careers as secondary school teachers, education officers, curriculum developers, school administrators, and education consultants. The collaboration with St. Mary University provides graduates with an international perspective on education practice and methodology.

The programme is offered at Tangaza University, a private university in Nairobi. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in two teaching subjects. The programme runs for eight semesters including a supervised teaching practice attachment.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Annual tuition is approximately KES 186,150 at Tangaza University. HELB loans and government bursaries are available for eligible students.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 263,000
Private, up to: Ksh 186,150
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Psychology
Foundations of Education
Curriculum Development
Teaching Methodology
Assessment and Evaluation
Educational Technology
Guidance and Counselling
Research Methods in Education
Subject-Specific Pedagogy
Cross-Cultural Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of learning, adolescent development, motivation, and classroom behaviour management.
Foundations of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education in Kenyan and international contexts.
Curriculum Development and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design, the Kenyan secondary education curriculum, and comparative international curricula.
Teaching Methodology for Arts Subjects
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Pedagogical methods for teaching arts and humanities subjects, including learner-centred and international approaches.
Subject Content I (First Teaching Subject)
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced content study in the student's first teaching subject (English, Religious Studies, History, etc.).
Subject Content II (Second Teaching Subject)
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Subject Content II (Second Teaching Subject): Advanced content study in the student's second teaching subject. Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Assessment and Evaluation in Education
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of assessment, test construction, practical evaluation, and competency-based assessment.
Values-Based Education and Ethics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Integrating moral and ethical values in teaching, character education, and professional ethics for teachers.
Cross-Cultural Education and Comparative Pedagogy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Comparative education systems, cross-cultural teaching strategies, and international educational perspectives.
Research Methods in Education
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection, and analysis methods applied to educational research.
Educational Leadership and Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
School administration, leadership theories, education policy, and institutional management.
Teaching Practice and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice at a secondary school and a final-year education research project.

Specialisations

English and Literature Education
Focus on teaching English language and literature in secondary schools with international perspectives.
Religious Studies Education
Focus on teaching Christian Religious Education and theology in secondary schools. 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.
History and Geography Education
Focus on teaching history, geography, and social studies in secondary schools. 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.
Cross-Cultural Education
Focus on international and cross-cultural teaching approaches in diverse educational 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.
Values-Based Education
Focus on integrating moral and ethical values in teaching practice and curriculum delivery. 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.
International Education Perspectives
Focus on comparative education and international teaching methodologies. 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 education theory lectures, subject content sessions, and teaching methodology workshops with an international perspective. Morning sessions cover educational psychology, curriculum studies, and subject-specific content, while afternoons focus on micro-teaching, lesson planning, and teaching practice preparation. The programme emphasises values-based education and cross-cultural teaching approaches. Students participate in teaching practice at partner secondary schools, including faith-based and international schools.

The trade offs

In its favour

International collaboration with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota provides global educational perspectives.
Values-based education approach aligns with faith-based and international school networks.
Small class sizes enable personalised attention and close faculty-student interaction.
CUE-accredited and TSC-recognised, ensuring full professional recognition in Kenya.

Against it

Only offered at one private university, limiting accessibility and increasing cost.
Private university tuition at KES 186,150/year is higher than most public university alternatives.
Faith-based orientation may not appeal to all students seeking secular education.
Limited subject combinations compared to larger universities offering B.Ed (Arts).

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 263k

184k at Kenyatta University263k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 186k

105k at Mount Kenya University186k at Tangaza 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

UoN 263K, KU 183,600/yr (KUCCPS). Tangaza 186,150/yr, MKU 105K (KUCCPS). St Mary's MN collab.

HELB loans and Higher Education Fund (HEF) support are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries and faith-based scholarships may also be available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Scholarship
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need

Scholarships

4 recorded

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 fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with at least two principal passes in relevant subjects; OR a relevant diploma in education from a recognised institution; OR P1 certificate with relevant experience; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year education research project investigating a relevant teaching or education issue.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, lesson plans, micro-teaching assessments, and education assignments throughout the semester.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Supervised teaching practice at partner secondary schools with assessment of classroom performance.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.

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. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

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

Education Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000
Advises schools and educational institutions on cross-cultural and values-based education.
Secondary School Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches arts and humanities subjects in secondary schools, with strength in values-based and cross-cultural education.
International School Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches in international and faith-based schools leveraging the collaboration's global perspective.
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Works in government or faith-based education offices supporting policy implementation.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and evaluates curricula with international and values-based perspectives.
School Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages school operations in faith-based or international school settings.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as secondary school teachers in public, private, and faith-based schools. The international collaboration component enhances opportunities in cross-cultural and international education settings.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Classroom
Learning managementPrimary
Learning management platform for organising classes, assignments, and student communication.
Microsoft PowerPoint
PresentationPrimary
Presentation tool for lesson delivery, visual aids, and educational content creation.
Microsoft Word
Productivity
Word processing tool for lesson plans, reports, and educational documentation.
Khan Academy
Educational resource
Online educational platform with subject teaching resources and content support.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing tool for online teaching and international collaboration sessions.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This is a foreign degree not recognised in Kenya.
The programme is CUE-accredited and graduates are eligible for TSC registration, making it fully recognised in Kenya.
The collaboration makes the programme more expensive than standard B.Ed programmes.
At KES 186,150/year, the fee is comparable to other private university B.Ed programmes in Kenya.
Only Catholic students can enrol in this programme.
The programme is open to students of all faiths and backgrounds, though it incorporates values-based education.
The international component is just a marketing label.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota actively partners through the Christ the Teacher Institute, providing curriculum input and exchange opportunities.