Education

Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education, Specialization in Emotional and Behavioural Disorders)

The Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education, Specialization in Emotional and Behavioural Disorders) is a four-year degree programme offered at St. Paul's University that prepares graduates to teach and support learners with emotional and behavioural difficulties in Kenyan schools.

The curriculum covers special needs education foundations, emotional and behavioural disorders, educational psychology, teaching methodology, curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, educational foundations, research methods, counselling psychology, behaviour management, and educational technology.

Students develop skills in behaviour assessment, individualised behaviour intervention planning, lesson planning for learners with emotional difficulties, classroom management, student assessment, curriculum adaptation, educational leadership, counselling techniques, trauma-informed teaching, and research methodology.

Graduates pursue careers as special needs teachers, behaviour support teachers, inclusive education teachers, special education officers, school counsellors, and education consultants. They find employment in public and private schools, special schools, rehabilitation centres, and educational NGOs.

The programme is offered at St. Paul's University (private, KES 171,400 per year, KUCCPS code 1107155) in Limuru, Kiambu County. St. Paul's University is a CUE-accredited private Christian university. The programme has been CUE-accredited since 2014.

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 2014. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as special needs teachers.

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

Special Needs Education Foundations
Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
Educational Psychology
Teaching Methodology
Curriculum Development
Assessment and Evaluation
Counselling Psychology
Behaviour Management
Research Methods in Education
Trauma-Informed Practice

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Special Needs Education
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.
Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories of learning, adolescent development, cognitive and behavioural theories, and classroom management.
Introduction to Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Overview of emotional and behavioural disorders, classification systems, causes, and educational implications.
Teaching Methodology for Diverse Learners
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Pedagogical methods for teaching learners with emotional and behavioural difficulties in inclusive classrooms.
Behaviour Assessment and Intervention
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Functional behaviour assessment, behaviour intervention planning, and evidence-based intervention strategies.
Curriculum Development and Adaptation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design, adaptation of curriculum for learners with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and CBC alignment.
Counselling Psychology for Educators
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Counselling theories, techniques, and their application in supporting learners with emotional difficulties.
Trauma-Informed Teaching Practice
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Understanding trauma, its impact on learning and behaviour, and trauma-informed teaching strategies.
Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Assessment techniques for learners with emotional and behavioural disorders, 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.
Teaching Practice and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice at a school or special centre and a final-year research project on emotional and behavioural disorders.

Specialisations

Emotional Disorders Education
Focus on teaching learners with emotional disorders including anxiety, depression, and mood disorders in school settings.
Behavioural Disorders Education
Focus on teaching learners with behavioural disorders including conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.
ADHD Education
Focus on supporting learners with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in inclusive and special classrooms.
Autism Spectrum Support
Focus on supporting learners on the autism spectrum with behavioural and emotional 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.
Trauma-Informed Education
Focus on trauma-informed teaching practices for learners affected by trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
Counselling and Guidance in SNE
Focus on counselling techniques and guidance strategies for learners with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

A day as a student

A typical day combines special needs education lectures, behaviour management workshops, and counselling skills practice. Morning sessions cover emotional and behavioural disorders, educational psychology, and specific disability areas, while afternoons focus on micro-teaching, behaviour intervention plan development, and counselling role-plays. Students participate in teaching practice at both regular schools and special schools, developing practical skills for supporting learners with emotional and behavioural challenges. The programme integrates Christian values with professional SNE practice.

The trade offs

In its favour

Specialised focus on emotional and behavioural disorders fills a critical gap in Kenyan SNE provision.
CUE-accredited since 2014 at a reputable Christian university.
Combines teaching qualifications with counselling and behaviour management skills.
TSC registration with SNE specialisation provides competitive employment opportunities.

Against it

Only offered at St. Paul's University, a private institution with higher fees than public universities.
Working with learners with emotional and behavioural difficulties requires patience and emotional resilience.
Limited to one institution, reducing geographic choice for students.
Career advancement may require additional postgraduate qualifications in SNE or counselling.

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 184k

184k at Kenyatta University184k at Kenyatta 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; MKU 110,000/yr; St Paul's 204,000/yr (KUCCPS/official fee PDFs).

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 and private 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 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, behaviour intervention plan development, case studies, and micro-teaching evaluations throughout the semester.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Supervised teaching practice at partner schools or special centres with assessment of classroom and behaviour management 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 emotional and behavioural disorders 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 2014. 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 2014.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Special Needs Teacher (EBD)
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches learners with emotional and behavioural disorders in special schools or inclusive classrooms.
Behaviour Support Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides behaviour support and intervention in mainstream schools for learners with behavioural challenges.
School Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 160,000
Provides counselling and guidance to learners with emotional difficulties in school settings.
Special Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Works in government education offices supporting SNE policy implementation and school supervision.
Inclusive Education Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches in mainstream schools supporting learners with emotional and behavioural difficulties in inclusive settings.
Education Consultant (SNE)
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advises schools, NGOs, and government on emotional and behavioural disorders policy and practice.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as special needs teachers and behaviour support teachers in schools. Demand is high with growing awareness of emotional and behavioural disorders in Kenyan schools.

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.
ClassDojo
Behaviour management
Behaviour tracking and communication tool for monitoring learner behaviour and engaging parents.
Microsoft Word
Productivity
Word processing tool for lesson plans, behaviour intervention plans, and documentation.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing tool for parent-teacher meetings and remote counselling sessions.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Emotional and behavioural disorders are just discipline problems.
These are recognised disabilities requiring specialised educational support, not simply discipline issues.
SNE graduates with this specialisation can only work in special schools.
Graduates work in both special schools and mainstream schools supporting learners with emotional and behavioural difficulties in inclusive settings.
This is a counselling degree, not a teaching degree.
This is a professional education degree with TSC registration, combining teaching qualifications with specialised SNE training in emotional and behavioural disorders.
Only offered at one university, so it must be limited.
St. Paul's University is a CUE-accredited Christian university with a dedicated SNE department and experienced faculty.