Education

Bachelor of Education in Special Needs Education

The Bachelor of Education in Special Needs Education is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching and supporting learners with special needs in educational settings. Students study special needs education, inclusive pedagogy, educational psychology, teaching methods, curriculum development and learner support strategies. The programme is offered by Kenyan universities including Kenyatta University, which houses the Department of Early Childhood and Special Needs Education.

Students develop competencies in special needs teaching, inclusive pedagogy, differentiation, learner assessment, behaviour management, curriculum development and family support. They learn to support learners with physical, sensory, cognitive, emotional and behavioural disabilities. The programme covers various special needs areas including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, visual impairment, hearing impairment and physical disabilities.

In Kenya, inclusive education is a national priority and the Competency-Based Curriculum emphasises learning for all. TSC employs special needs teachers. The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) supports special needs education. Kenya's commitment to inclusive education and the rights of persons with disabilities creates strong demand. Graduates find roles in special schools, inclusive schools, educational organisations and government agencies.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, special needs practicum, teaching practice, micro-teaching, case studies and research projects. Students develop individualised education plans, teach in special needs settings and undertake teaching practice. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as special needs teachers, inclusive education coordinators, special needs officers, learning support teachers and education officers. Some work in special schools or inclusive schools. Others join educational organisations, government agencies or NGOs supporting persons with disabilities.

This programme is ideal for individuals with empathy, patience and passion for supporting diverse learners. Students who enjoy inclusive education and learner support will find this programme particularly fulfilling.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 291,635
Private, up to: Ksh 204,000
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Special Needs Education
Inclusive Pedagogy and Differentiation
Educational Psychology for Diverse Learners
Teaching Methods for Special Needs
Curriculum Development for Inclusive Education
Assessment of Learners with Special Needs
Behaviour Management and Support
Learning Disabilities and Intervention
Sensory and Physical Impairments
Research Methods in Special Needs Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Introduction to Special Needs Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundations of special needs education including types of disabilities and inclusive practices
Educational Psychology for Diverse Learners
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Psychological principles of learning and development for learners with special needs
Inclusive Pedagogy and Differentiation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Inclusive Pedagogy and Differentiation: Differentiated instruction strategies and inclusive teaching methods Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Teaching Methods for Special Needs
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Teaching strategies and methods for learners with special needs in various settings
Learning Disabilities and Intervention
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Learning Disabilities and Intervention: Understanding learning disabilities and developing intervention strategies Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Curriculum Development for Inclusive Education
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Curriculum design for inclusive education and CBC implementation for diverse learners
Sensory and Physical Impairments
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Understanding and supporting learners with visual, hearing and physical impairments
Assessment of Learners with Special Needs
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Assessment of Learners with Special Needs: Assessment methods and tools for evaluating learners with special needs Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Behaviour Management and Support
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Behaviour management strategies and support for learners with behavioural challenges
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research on special needs education producing a scholarly dissertation
Teaching Practice and Special Needs Practicum
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice in special schools and inclusive education settings

Specialisations

Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Intellectual Disabilities
Specialization in Intellectual Disabilities, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-educator.
Hearing Impairment Education
Specialization in Hearing Impairment Education, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-educator.
Inclusive Education Coordination
Specialization in Inclusive Education Coordination, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-educator.
Visual Impairment Education
Specialization in Visual Impairment Education, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-educator.
Learning Disabilities
Specialization in Learning Disabilities, preparing graduates for careers such as special-needs-educator.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on special needs theory or education with afternoon teaching practice or special needs practicum. Students may develop individualised education plans, practise differentiated instruction, teach in special needs settings or work on case studies.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for special needs teachers in Kenya
Inclusive education is a national priority
Diverse career paths in special and inclusive education
Opportunity to make a significant difference in learners' lives

Against it

Working with diverse needs requires exceptional patience and adaptability
Some schools may lack resources for full inclusion
Emotional demands of supporting learners with complex needs
May require additional certifications for specialised roles

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 292k

184k at Kenyatta University292k at Kisii University

Private110k to 204k

110k at Mount Kenya University204k at St. Paul's 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; Kisii 291,635/yr; MKU 110,000/yr; St Paul's 204,000/yr (KUCCPS/official).

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

How you are assessed

4 components

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

Special Needs Teacher
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches and supports learners with special needs in special or inclusive schools
Special Needs Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Supports special needs education programmes in educational institutions
Learning Support Teacher
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Provides learning support to students with diverse needs in classrooms
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages education programmes and supports inclusive education initiatives
Inclusive Education Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coordinates inclusive education programmes in schools or institutions

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as special needs teachers, inclusive education coordinators, special needs officers, learning support teachers and education officers in special schools, inclusive schools, educational organisations and government agencies.

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 teaching is just about being patient
Special needs education requires professional training in pedagogy, assessment, differentiation and intervention strategies.
Special needs teachers have limited career prospects
Special needs qualifications are in high demand in inclusive schools, special schools and educational organisations.
Special needs education is only for certain types of teachers
Special needs education is a professional discipline open to all qualified teachers.
Inclusive education lowers academic standards
Inclusive education with proper support enables all learners to achieve their potential.