Education

Bachelor of Education (Secondary option) Special Education

The Bachelor of Education (Secondary option) Special Education is a four-year degree programme offered at Kenyatta University that prepares graduates to teach learners with special needs in secondary schools.

The curriculum covers special needs education foundations, inclusive education, educational psychology, teaching methodology, curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, educational foundations, research methods, and educational technology.

Students develop skills in special needs instruction, individualised education planning, lesson planning for diverse learners, classroom management, student assessment, curriculum design for inclusive classrooms, educational leadership, assistive technology integration, and research methodology.

Graduates pursue careers as special needs teachers, inclusive education teachers, special education officers, school administrators, and education consultants. They find employment in public and private secondary schools, special schools, integrated programmes, and educational NGOs.

The programme is offered at Kenyatta University (public, KES 244,800 per year, KUCCPS code 1111155) in Nairobi. Kenyatta University is a CUE-accredited public university with a dedicated Department of Special Needs Education.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. The programme has been CUE-accredited since 2013. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as special needs teachers.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Private, up to: Ksh 110,000
Job market: High

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

Special Needs Education Foundations
Inclusive Education
Educational Psychology
Teaching Methodology
Curriculum Development
Assessment and Evaluation
Educational Foundations
Research Methods in Education
Assistive Technology
Behaviour Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Learners with Special Needs
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of special needs education, categories of disabilities, and historical development of SNE in Kenya.
Foundations of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education in Kenya and globally.
HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Exceptionality
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Impact of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse on child development and learning, and implications for special needs education.
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of learning, adolescent development, cognitive and behavioural theories, and classroom management.
Inclusive Education Practices
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategies for including learners with disabilities in mainstream secondary school classrooms.
Curriculum Development and Adaptation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design, adaptation of curriculum for learners with special needs, and CBC alignment.
Assistive Technology in Special Education
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Use of assistive devices, adaptive technology, and digital tools to support learners with disabilities.
Behaviour Management and Intervention
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and strategies for managing challenging behaviours in learners with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Assessment techniques for learners with special needs, individualised education plans, and progress monitoring.
Research Methods in Education
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection, and analysis methods applied to special needs education research.
Educational Administration and Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
School administration, leadership theories, management of special needs programmes, and education policy.
Teaching Practice and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice at a secondary school or special school and a final-year SNE research project.

Specialisations

Learning Disabilities Education
Focus on teaching learners with specific learning disabilities in secondary school 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.
Hearing Impairment Education
Focus on teaching learners who are deaf or hard of hearing, including sign language communication. 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.
Visual Impairment Education
Focus on teaching learners who are blind or have low vision, including Braille instruction. 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.
Physical Impairment Education
Focus on teaching learners with physical disabilities and mobility challenges. 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.
Intellectual Disability Education
Focus on teaching learners with intellectual disabilities in secondary 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.
Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties Education
Focus on supporting learners with emotional and behavioural challenges 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.
Inclusive Education Practice
Focus on implementing inclusive education practices in mainstream 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.

A day as a student

A typical day combines special needs education lectures, inclusive education workshops, and teaching methodology sessions. Morning sessions cover special needs foundations, educational psychology, and specific disability areas, while afternoons focus on micro-teaching, individualised education plan development, and assistive technology practice. Students participate in teaching practice at both regular secondary schools and special schools, developing practical skills for inclusive and special education. The programme emphasises evidence-based interventions and person-centred approaches.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for qualified SNE teachers with Kenya's push for inclusive education.
TSC employment includes special needs allowance in addition to base salary.
Kenyatta University has a dedicated Department of Special Needs Education with specialised facilities.
Graduates are equipped for both special schools and inclusive mainstream classrooms.

Against it

Only offered at Kenyatta University, limiting geographic choice.
KES 244,800/year is higher than regular B.Ed Arts at KES 183,600/year.
Working with learners with special needs requires patience, empathy, and specialised skills.
Career advancement may require additional postgraduate qualifications in SNE.

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

Public245k to 245k

245k at Moi University245k at Moi University

Private110k to 110k

110k at Mount Kenya University110k at Mount Kenya 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

Moi 244,800/yr (KUCCPS); MKU 110,000/yr (MKU prospectus, 55K/sem).

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
County Government Bursaries

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 public 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 and one subsidiary in relevant subjects; OR a Diploma in Education (SNE) or Special Needs Education from a recognised institution with C+ (Plus) in KCSE; OR P1 certificate with SNE training from KISE; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.

How you are assessed

4 components

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

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. The programme has been CUE-accredited since 2013. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as special needs teachers.

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. This programme has been CUE-accredited since 2013.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Special Needs Teacher (Secondary)
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 160,000
Teaches learners with special needs in secondary schools and special schools, with TSC SNE registration.
Inclusive Education Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches in mainstream secondary schools supporting learners with disabilities in inclusive classrooms.
Special Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Works in government education offices supporting SNE policy implementation and school supervision.
SNE Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and evaluates special needs and inclusive education curricula at KICD or institutions.
School Administrator (Special School)
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages special school operations, supervises staff, and oversees educational programmes.
Education Consultant (SNE)
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Advises schools, NGOs, and government on special needs education policy and practice.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as special needs teachers in secondary schools and special schools. Demand is high with Kenya's push for inclusive education and a critical shortage of qualified SNE teachers.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Classroom
Learning managementPrimary
Learning management platform for organising classes, assignments, and parent communication.
Microsoft PowerPoint
PresentationPrimary
Presentation tool for lesson delivery, visual aids, and adapted learning materials.
JAWS Screen Reader
Assistive technology
Screen reading software for learners with visual impairments in secondary education.
Boardmaker
Communication
Symbol-based communication tool for learners with communication difficulties.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing tool for parent-teacher meetings and remote learning support.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Special needs education is not a real teaching career.
SNE teachers are fully qualified TSC-registered professionals with specialised skills in high demand across Kenya.
SNE graduates can only work in special schools.
Graduates work in both special schools and mainstream secondary schools implementing inclusive education practices.
Special needs teaching is emotionally draining and unrewarding.
While challenging, SNE teaching is highly rewarding with strong job satisfaction, competitive TSC salary with SNE allowance, and clear career progression.
Only offered at one university, so it must be limited.
Kenyatta University has a dedicated Department of Special Needs Education with experienced faculty and specialised facilities.