Social Sciences

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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Private, up to: Ksh 192,800
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

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 programme

Introduction 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

Meaningful work contributing to peace and justice
Relevant to Kenya's peacebuilding needs
Diverse career paths in NGOs and government
Combines theory with practical peacebuilding skills

Against it

Some roles may involve working in conflict-affected areas
Funding for peace programmes can be unpredictable
Some positions may have limited career progression
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 courses

Private193k to 193k

193k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa193k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

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

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 recorded

Higher 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

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 or Kiswahili
C+
Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Industrial 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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Justice 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

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.