Education

Bachelor of Education in Arts with Guidance and Counselling

The Bachelor of Education in Arts with Guidance and Counselling is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching arts subjects while providing professional guidance and counselling services in schools. Students study education theory, counselling psychology, teaching methods, curriculum development and arts subject content, developing dual competencies in classroom teaching and student support. The programme is confirmed on the KUCCPS portal and offered by multiple public universities including Moi University, Maasai Mara University, Karatina University and University of Kabianga.

Students develop competencies in teaching arts subjects, counselling theory and practice, guidance programme development, educational psychology, classroom management, curriculum development and student wellbeing support. They learn to teach subjects such as English, History, Geography, CRE and Kiswahili while also providing professional counselling services. The programme covers core education courses alongside specialised guidance and counselling modules including counselling theories, communication in counselling, family and marital counselling, and vocational guidance.

In Kenya, school-based counselling is increasingly important as students face academic pressure, social challenges and mental health concerns. The Teachers Service Commission employs teachers with counselling specialisation. KUCCPS lists this programme under Cluster 19 (Education and Related) with multiple public university options. Kenya's emphasis on learner wellbeing in the Competency-Based Curriculum creates demand for teachers with counselling skills. Graduates find roles in secondary schools, educational institutions and counselling centres.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, counselling practicum, teaching practice, micro-teaching sessions and research projects. Students undertake two teaching practice placements and develop counselling skills through supervised practicum. The programme includes a final-year research project. KUCCPS entry requirements specify English as cluster subject one, with mathematics or science as cluster subject two.

Graduates pursue careers as guidance and counselling teachers, school counsellors, subject teachers and education officers. They work in secondary schools providing both teaching and counselling services. Some join educational administration, NGOs or youth support organisations.

This programme is ideal for individuals with empathy, communication skills and passion for both teaching and student support. Students who enjoy arts subjects and want to make a difference in learner wellbeing will find this programme particularly fulfilling.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 214,700
Private, up to: Ksh 188,100
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 Human Development
Principles of Guidance and Counselling
Counselling Theories, Models and Techniques
Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods
Communication in Counselling
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling
Family, Sex and Marital Counselling
Special Needs Education
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Research Methods in Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic communication skills for effective teaching and counselling practice Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
General Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Psychological principles of learning, development and motivation in educational settings
Introduction to Learners with Special Needs
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Learners with Special Needs: Overview of special needs education and inclusive teaching practices Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Principles of Guidance and Counselling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundations of guidance and counselling including approaches, ethics and the counselling relationship
Counselling Theories, Models and Techniques
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Counselling Theories, Models and Techniques: Major counselling theories and their application in school settings Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Curriculum Development
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Curriculum Development: Principles of curriculum design and implementation including CBC framework Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Communication in Counselling
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced communication skills for counselling including active listening and questioning techniques
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling: Career development theory, career assessment and guidance for students Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Measurement and Evaluation: Assessment methods and evaluation techniques for education and counselling Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
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 secondary school including classroom teaching and counselling responsibilities

Specialisations

Career Guidance
Specialization in Career Guidance, preparing graduates for careers such as school-guidance-counselor.
English Teaching
Specialization in English Teaching, preparing graduates for careers such as language-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.
Geography Teaching
Specialization in Geography 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.
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.
CRE Teaching
Specialization in CRE 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.
History Teaching
Specialization in History 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.

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 arts 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 in Kenya
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

Public110k to 215k

110k at Garissa University215k at Egerton University

Private105k to 188k

105k at Mount Kenya University188k at Kabarak 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

Egerton 214,700/yr; Garissa 109,650/yr; Kabarak 188,100/yr; MKU 105,000/yr. Src: educationnewshub, Kabarak PDF

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
C+
Mathematics A/B or Biology or Physics or Chemistry
C+
Biology/Physics/Chemistry/History/Geography/CRE/IRE
C+
Kiswahili or any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

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

Accreditation

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

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

Youth Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Provides counselling and support services to young people in organisations
Guidance and Counselling Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches arts subjects and provides guidance and counselling services in secondary schools
School Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides professional counselling services to students in educational institutions
Subject Teacher
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches arts subjects such as English, History or Geography in secondary schools
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages education programmes and supports school administration

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as guidance and counselling teachers, school counsellors, subject teachers and education officers in secondary schools, educational institutions and counselling centres across Kenya.

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

Guidance and counselling teachers are not real counsellors
The programme provides professional counselling training including counselling theories, models and techniques specifically for educational contexts.
School counselling is just about giving advice
School counselling involves professional techniques, psychological assessment, crisis intervention and ongoing support as part of the curriculum.
There is no demand for counselling teachers
Schools increasingly recognise the need for student wellbeing support, with TSC employing teachers who have counselling specialisation.
This degree limits you to teaching only
Graduates can work in counselling centres, youth organisations, NGOs and educational administration with their counselling skills.