Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Ministry

The Bachelor of Ministry is a programme that prepares students for Christian ministry and pastoral leadership in church and faith-based contexts. Offered at Eastern Kenya Integrated University, the programme provides theological foundation and practical ministry skills for those called to serve in church leadership, chaplaincy, evangelism and Christian education.

The curriculum covers biblical studies, systematic theology, church history, pastoral ministry, preaching and homiletics, Christian education, counselling, church administration, mission studies, ethics, leadership and field education. Students develop both theological understanding and practical ministry competencies for effective service.

The church in Kenya continues to grow, with increasing demand for trained ministers who can provide pastoral leadership, theological guidance and community service. The programme responds to the need for qualified ministers equipped to address contemporary challenges facing churches and faith communities in Kenya.

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, preaching practicum, field education placements in local churches, supervised ministry internships and a research project. Students gain practical ministry experience through weekly field education assignments in church contexts.

Graduates pursue careers as pastors, ministers, chaplains, church administrators, Christian educators, missionaries and youth workers in churches, Christian organisations, schools and faith-based NGOs. They can also pursue postgraduate study in theology, divinity or ministry.

Prospective students should have a sense of calling to Christian ministry, a commitment to spiritual formation and an interest in theological study. The programme is suitable for both direct entry students and practising ministers seeking to formalise their experience with academic qualifications.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 153,000
Private, up to: Ksh 151,550
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Biblical Studies
Systematic Theology
Church History
Pastoral Ministry
Preaching and Homiletics
Christian Education
Pastoral Counselling
Church Administration
Mission Studies
Christian Ethics

Modules

11 in the programme

Introduction to Biblical Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces the Bible as a literary and theological text, covering its structure, historical context, interpretive approaches and relevance for Christian ministry.
Foundations of Christian Ministry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Explores the biblical and theological foundations of Christian ministry, examining the nature of calling, spiritual gifts and pastoral identity.
Survey of Church History
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Surveys major periods in Christian church history from the early church through the Reformation to the modern era, with attention to African Christianity.
Systematic Theology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major Christian doctrines including the Trinity, Christology, pneumatology, soteriology and ecclesiology, providing a theological framework for ministry.
Preaching and Homiletics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops preaching skills including sermon preparation, exegesis for preaching, delivery techniques and different sermon types, with practical preaching exercises.
Pastoral Counselling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduces counselling principles and techniques for pastoral contexts, covering active listening, crisis counselling, marriage and family counselling and referral.
Church Administration and Leadership
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers principles of church leadership and administration including governance, financial management, strategic planning, conflict resolution and team building.
Mission Studies and Evangelism
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the biblical basis for mission, historical development of missions in Africa, contemporary mission strategies and cross-cultural ministry.
Christian Ethics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Explores ethical decision-making from a Christian perspective, addressing contemporary moral issues including bioethics, social justice, gender and sexuality.
Supervised Ministry Internship
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
A supervised ministry placement in a local church or Christian organisation, providing practical experience in pastoral leadership, preaching and church administration.
Research Project in Ministry
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on a ministry-related topic, demonstrating the student's ability to integrate theological reflection with ministry practice in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Pastoral Ministry
Focuses on pastoral leadership including preaching, pastoral care, church administration and worship leadership for local church ministry.
Chaplaincy
Specialises in institutional chaplaincy in schools, hospitals, prisons or military settings, providing spiritual care and counselling.
Missions and Evangelism
Focuses on cross-cultural mission, evangelism and church planting, preparing graduates for missionary service in Kenya and beyond.
Christian Education
Specialises in teaching and discipleship ministries, developing Christian education programmes for churches and Christian institutions.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning chapel service or devotional, followed by lectures on biblical studies or theology. Afternoon sessions include preaching practicum, counselling skills workshops or church history seminars. Students also participate in weekly field education placements at local churches, observing and assisting in pastoral ministry activities.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme provides both theological foundation and practical ministry skills, preparing graduates for holistic Christian service.
Field education and supervised internship provide real ministry experience and networking opportunities with churches and Christian organisations.
The programme is suitable for both direct entry students and practising ministers seeking formal academic qualifications.

Against it

Ministry careers typically offer modest financial compensation, with many positions in small churches providing limited salaries.
The programme is offered at only one institution in Kenya, limiting study location options.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public116k to 153k

116k at Pwani University153k at Kenyatta University

Private120k to 152k

120k at Kenya Highlands University152k at Kabarak 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

Pub: Pwani 116,280 to KU 153,000/yr. Priv: KHU 119,650 to Kabarak 151,550/yr. Theology proxy.

Students can access HELB loans. Church-affiliated students may receive sponsorship from their denominations or local churches. Eastern Kenya Integrated University may offer internal bursaries for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Divinity with KCSE D+ and GPA of 3.00 or equivalent.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Written examination40% of the mark
Mid-semester tests, essays and assignments covering biblical studies, theology and church history content.
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination60% of the mark
Final written examinations at the end of each semester testing comprehensive understanding of course content.
Preaching Practicum Assessment
Practicum50% of the mark
Assessment of preaching skills through prepared sermons delivered to peers and faculty, evaluated on content, delivery and biblical exposition.
Ministry Internship Assessment
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of ministry performance during supervised internship, evaluated by field supervisors and faculty.

Accreditation

The programme is examined by EKIC / Carey Theological College. Eastern Kenya Integrated University is registered by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
The programme is examined by EKIC / Carey Theological College. Eastern Kenya Integrated University is registered by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kenya under Certificate Number P/TC/598/11 and MOHEST/PC1858/012.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Pastor
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides pastoral leadership in a local church, including preaching, teaching, pastoral care, administration and community outreach.
Chaplain
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Provides spiritual care and counselling in schools, hospitals, prisons or other institutions, supporting individuals in crisis and pastoral contexts.
Church Administrator
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Manages church operations including finances, facilities, programmes and staff, supporting the pastoral leadership in administrative functions.
Christian Educator
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 75,000
Develops and coordinates Christian education programmes in churches, schools and Christian organisations, teaching biblical and theological content.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates serve as pastors, ministers, chaplains and church administrators in churches and Christian organisations across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Ministry training is only for those seeking ordination.
The programme equips graduates for various forms of Christian service including chaplaincy, Christian education, counselling, missions and church administration, not only ordained pastoral ministry.
Ministry does not require formal academic training.
Contemporary ministry requires theological knowledge, counselling skills, leadership competence and cultural awareness, all of which are developed through structured academic study.
Ministry graduates cannot find employment outside the church.
Graduates work in schools as chaplains, in hospitals as pastoral counsellors, in NGOs as programme officers, and in various roles requiring interpersonal and leadership skills.
The programme is denominationally restrictive.
While rooted in the Christian tradition, the programme is open to students from various denominational backgrounds and equips them for ministry across different church contexts.