Bachelor of Justice and Peace
The Bachelor of Justice and Peace is a four-year programme that prepares students for peacebuilding, conflict resolution, justice advocacy and human rights work. Students study peace studies, conflict resolution, social justice, human rights and peacebuilding. The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills for promoting justice and peace in communities.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 192,800 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, human rights advocacy, social justice, mediation and community development. They learn to analyse conflicts, facilitate dialogue, promote human rights and support peace processes. The programme covers peace studies, conflict resolution, justice, human rights and peacebuilding.
In Kenya, justice and peace studies is important given the country's experience with conflict and the need for social cohesion. Kenya's devolution, community conflicts and human rights challenges create demand. The Catholic University of Eastern Africa offers this programme. Graduates find roles in NGOs, government peace departments, religious organisations, community organisations and international development agencies.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, field work, industrial attachment and research projects. Students analyse conflicts, facilitate dialogue, conduct community assessments and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.
Graduates pursue careers as peace officers, conflict resolution specialists, human rights officers, community development workers and justice advocates. Some work for NGOs or government departments. Others join religious organisations, community organisations or international agencies.
This programme is ideal for individuals with empathy, communication skills and interest in justice, peace and human rights.
What you study
10 subjects- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Human Rights and Social Justice
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation
- Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
- International Law and Humanitarian Law
- Community Development and Social Change
- Gender and Development in Conflict Contexts
- Religion and Peacebuilding
- Governance and Democracy
- Research Methods
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies: Peace and conflict theory, causes of conflict and peace concepts Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Human Rights and Social Justice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Human Rights and Social Justice: Human rights principles, social justice, equality and rights frameworks Covers social structures, institutions, and contemporary social issues.
Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Conflict analysis, conflict resolution methods and negotiation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Mediation and Dialogue
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Mediation and Dialogue: Mediation techniques, dialogue facilitation and alternative dispute resolution Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Peacebuilding strategies, reconciliation processes and post-conflict recovery Covers construction technology, materials science, and project execution.
International Law and Humanitarian Law
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
International law, humanitarian law, Geneva Conventions and international justice
Community Development and Social Change
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Community Development and Social Change: Community development, social change, community mobilisation and empowerment Covers social structures, institutions, and contemporary social issues.
Gender and Development in Conflict Contexts
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Gender and Development in Conflict Contexts: Gender issues in conflict, women in peacebuilding and gender-based violence Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevan...
Governance and Democracy
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Governance and Democracy: Governance, democracy, political participation and democratic institutions Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Religion and Peacebuilding
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Religious contributions to peace, interfaith dialogue and religious peacebuilding
Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction: Transitional justice, truth commissions, accountability and reconstruction Covers construction technology, materials science, and project exec...
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on justice and peace. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework a...
Specialisations
Religious Peacebuilding
Specialization in Religious Peacebuilding, preparing graduates for careers such as social-worker. 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.
Community Development
Specialization in Community Development, preparing graduates for careers such as social-worker. 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.
Human Rights Advocacy
Specialization in Human Rights Advocacy, preparing graduates for careers such as social-worker. 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.
Transitional Justice
Specialization in Transitional Justice, preparing graduates for careers such as social-worker. 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.
Conflict Resolution
Specialization in Conflict Resolution, preparing graduates for careers such as social-worker. 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.
Peacebuilding
Specialization in Peacebuilding, preparing graduates for careers such as social-worker. 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 peace studies or human rights with afternoon seminars or field work. Students may analyse conflicts, facilitate dialogue, conduct community assessments or work on peacebuilding projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Meaningful work contributing to peace and justice | Some roles may involve working in conflict-affected areas |
| Relevant to Kenya's peacebuilding needs | Funding for peace programmes can be unpredictable |
| Diverse career paths in NGOs and government | Some positions may have limited career progression |
| Combines theory with practical peacebuilding skills | Emotional demands of working with conflict-affected communities |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 241 social sciences coursesAnnual 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
CUEA 192,800/yr self-sponsored (cuea.edu). No public univ offers Justice & Peace.
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some NGOs and religious organisations offer sponsorships for peace and justice programmes.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
How you are assessed
4 componentsIndustrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Seminars and Field Work
Coursework30% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesJustice Advocate
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advocates for social justice and legal reform
Peace Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Promotes peace and manages conflict resolution initiatives
Human Rights Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advocates for human rights and monitors rights compliance
Conflict Resolution Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 220,000
Facilitates conflict resolution and mediation processes
Community Development Worker
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 170,000
Supports community development and social change
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as peace officers, conflict resolution specialists, human rights officers, community development workers and justice advocates in NGOs, government peace departments, religious organisations, community organisations and international development agencies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
SPSS
Data analysis
Google Workspace
Collaboration
KOBO Toolbox
Data collection
SPSS/Stata
Statistical software
Gender research data analysis.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Justice and Peace is only for religious individuals
Justice and Peace covers secular conflict resolution, human rights and social justice.
There are limited career opportunities
NGOs, government and international agencies need peace and justice professionals.
Peace studies is not practical
Peace studies includes mediation, negotiation and community peacebuilding skills.
Justice and Peace is the same as law
Justice and Peace focuses on social justice, human rights and peacebuilding rather than legal practice.