Education

Bachelor of Education in Arts with Special Needs Education

The Bachelor of Education in Arts with Special Needs Education is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching arts subjects while supporting learners with special educational needs. Students study education theory, special needs education, teaching methods, curriculum development and arts subject content, developing dual competencies in classroom teaching and inclusive education. The programme is confirmed on the KUCCPS portal and offered by public universities including Karatina University and Maasai Mara University.

Students develop competencies in teaching arts subjects, special needs education, inclusive teaching practices, educational psychology, classroom management, curriculum adaptation and learner support. They learn to teach subjects such as English, History and Geography while also supporting learners with disabilities, behavioural difficulties and learning differences. The programme covers core education courses alongside specialised special needs modules including introduction to learners with special needs, HIV/AIDS and exceptionality, and specialisations in areas like visual impairments, hearing impairments and emotional and behavioural difficulties.

In Kenya, special needs education is a priority area as the country strives for inclusive education. The Competency-Based Curriculum emphasises inclusive practices and learner-centred approaches. TSC employs teachers with special needs education qualifications. KUCCPS lists this programme under Cluster 19 with entry requirements including Biology or General Science as a cluster subject. Kenya's commitment to education for all children, including those with disabilities, creates demand for qualified special needs teachers. Graduates find roles in special schools, inclusive secondary schools and educational organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, special needs practicum, teaching practice, micro-teaching and research projects. Students undertake teaching practice in both inclusive and special school settings. The programme includes a final-year research project. Moi University offers specialisations including deafblindness, visual impairments, hearing impairments, emotional and behavioural difficulties and physical handicaps.

Graduates pursue careers as special needs teachers, inclusive education teachers, SNE coordinators, subject teachers and education officers. They work in special schools, inclusive secondary schools and educational organisations supporting learners with diverse needs.

This programme is ideal for individuals with patience, empathy and commitment to inclusive education. Students who enjoy teaching and want to support learners with special needs 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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Learners with Special Needs
Educational Psychology and Human Development
Curriculum Development and Adaptation for SNE
Teaching Methods for Inclusive Classrooms
HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Exceptionality
Specialisations in Visual Impairments, Hearing Impairments or Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Classroom Management for Diverse Learners
Research Methods in Special Needs Education
Educational Media and Resources for SNE

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Introduction to Learners with Special Needs
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Overview of special needs education, categories of disabilities and inclusive practices
HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Exceptionality
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Impact of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse on learning and exceptionality in children
General Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Psychological principles of learning, development and motivation for diverse learners
General Methods of Teaching
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Teaching strategies and methods for effective instruction in inclusive classrooms
Curriculum Development and Adaptation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Curriculum design principles and adaptation strategies for learners with special needs
Educational Media and Resources for SNE
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Media and Resources for SNE: Development and use of specialised educational media and resources for SNE Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Special Methods in Teaching Subjects
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Special Methods in Teaching Subjects: Subject-specific teaching methods adapted for inclusive classrooms Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Educational Measurement and Evaluation: Assessment methods for diverse learners and competency-based evaluation Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Educational Administration and Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
School administration and management principles for inclusive education settings
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research on special needs education producing a scholarly dissertation
Teaching Practice
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice in inclusive or special school settings, delivering arts and SNE support

Specialisations

Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
Specialization in Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, preparing graduates for careers such as special-education-teacher.
Visual Impairments
Specialization in Visual Impairments, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-educator.
Hearing Impairments
Specialization in Hearing Impairments, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-educator.
Inclusive Education
Specialization in Inclusive Education, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-education-coordinator.
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.
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.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on education theory or special needs education with afternoon teaching practice or SNE practicum. Students may develop adapted lesson plans, practise inclusive teaching strategies, teach arts classes or work with learners with special needs.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for inclusive education teachers in Kenya
Diverse career paths in special and inclusive schools
Opportunity to support marginalised learners
Specialised skills that differentiate from regular teachers

Against it

Requires patience and adaptability for diverse learner needs
Some schools may have limited SNE resources and facilities
Emotional demands of working with vulnerable learners
May require additional KISE certifications for advanced practice

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 special schools and inclusive education programmes 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

4 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

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

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

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). TSC registration is required for teaching in public schools. KISE certification enhances special needs education 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

Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages education programmes and supports inclusive education initiatives
Inclusive Education Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches arts subjects in inclusive classrooms supporting diverse learners
Subject Teacher
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches arts subjects in secondary schools with inclusive practice skills
Special Needs Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches and supports learners with special educational needs in special or inclusive schools
SNE Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coordinates special needs education programmes and supports inclusive teaching

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as special needs teachers, inclusive education teachers, SNE coordinators, subject teachers and education officers in special schools, inclusive secondary schools and educational 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

Special needs education is only about teaching disabled children
Special needs education covers a wide range of needs including learning difficulties, behavioural challenges, giftedness and physical disabilities.
SNE teachers can only work in special schools
SNE teachers work in both special schools and inclusive mainstream schools supporting diverse learners.
There are limited jobs in special needs education
Kenya's push for inclusive education creates growing demand for qualified SNE teachers in both special and mainstream schools.
Special needs teaching is less rigorous than regular teaching
SNE requires additional specialised training, adaptability and professional skills beyond regular teaching qualifications.