Education

Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling

The Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling is a four-year programme that prepares students for providing professional guidance and counselling services in educational settings. Students study counselling theory, educational psychology, teaching methods, curriculum development and guidance programme development. The programme prepares graduates who can support student wellbeing alongside teaching responsibilities.

Students develop competencies in counselling theory and practice, guidance programme development, educational psychology, classroom management, curriculum development and student support. They learn counselling theories, models and techniques, communication in counselling, family and marital counselling, vocational guidance and career counselling. The programme covers professional ethics, legal issues in counselling and personal constructs in counselling.

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. 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, counselling centres and youth support organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, counselling practicum, teaching practice, micro-teaching sessions and research projects. Students undertake counselling skills development through supervised practicum. The programme includes a final-year research project. Course modules include professional ethics and legal issues in counselling, counselling theories, models and techniques, communication in counselling, family, sex and marital counselling, and vocational guidance and career counselling.

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

This programme is ideal for individuals with empathy, communication skills and passion for student support. Students who enjoy counselling psychology and education will find this programme particularly fulfilling.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
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

Principles of Guidance and Counselling
Counselling Theories, Models and Techniques
Communication in Counselling
Educational Psychology and Human Development
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling
Family, Sex and Marital Counselling
Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counselling
Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods
Special Needs Education
Research Methods in Education and Counselling

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Principles of Guidance and Counselling
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundations of guidance and counselling including approaches, ethics and the counselling relationship
General Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Psychological principles of learning, development and motivation in educational settings
Counselling Theories, Models and Techniques
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Counselling Theories, Models and Techniques: Major counselling theories and their application in educational contexts Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant s...
Communication in Counselling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced communication skills including active listening, questioning and rapport building
Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counselling
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Ethical principles, confidentiality, legal frameworks and professional conduct in counselling
Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods: Curriculum design, teaching strategies and CBC implementation Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling: Career development theory, career assessment and guidance for students Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Family, Sex and Marital Counselling
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Family, Sex and Marital Counselling: Family systems, marital counselling and sex education in school contexts Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Special Needs Education
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Understanding and supporting learners with special needs in educational settings
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research on guidance and counselling producing a scholarly dissertation
Teaching Practice and Counselling Practicum
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Teaching Practice and Counselling Practicum: Supervised teaching practice and counselling practicum in educational settings Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.

Specialisations

Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Career Guidance
Specialization in Career Guidance, preparing graduates for careers such as school-guidance-counselor.
Educational Psychology
Specialization in Educational Psychology, preparing graduates for careers such as school-counsellor.
Special Needs Support
Specialization in Special Needs Support, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-educator.
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.
Family Counselling
Specialization in Family 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.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on counselling theory or education with afternoon counselling practicum or teaching practice. Students may practise counselling skills, develop guidance programmes, teach classes or work on case studies.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing recognition of student mental health needs in Kenya
Combines teaching with in-demand counselling skills
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 184k

110k at Garissa University184k at Kenyatta 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

KU 183,600/yr; Garissa 109,650/yr; Kabarak 188,100/yr; MKU 105,000/yr. Src: mawese, Tuko, Kabarak, MKU

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 any Group II
C
Any Group III subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Teaching Practice and Counselling Practicum
Coursework35% of the mark
Research Project
Coursework100% 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. KAPC membership enhances counselling credentials.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
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 student wellbeing initiatives
Guidance and Counselling Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provides guidance and counselling services alongside teaching in secondary schools
Youth Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Provides counselling and support services to young people in organisations
Career Guidance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provides career guidance and counselling to students in schools
School Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides professional counselling services to students in educational institutions

Graduate outcomes

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

Guidance and counselling is just about giving advice
Professional counselling involves evidence-based techniques, psychological assessment and structured interventions.
School counsellors are not real counsellors
School counsellors receive professional training in counselling theories, models and techniques.
There is no demand for counselling in schools
Schools increasingly recognise the need for student wellbeing support, with TSC employing counselling teachers.
Counselling is only for students with problems
Guidance and counselling also supports career development, academic planning and personal growth for all students.