Social Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Security Management

The Bachelor Of Science In Criminology And Security Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in criminology and security management. The programme falls under the Business & Economics category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Criminology and Security Management, Criminology, Security Management, Criminal Justice, Crime Prevention, Security Operations. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advertising, Business Process Modeling, Data Visualization, Entrepreneurship, Financial Analysis. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Strategic Management, Forensic Science, Criminology and Security Management Practice, Security Operations, Security Ethics. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Criminal Justice, Security Management, General Practice. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor Of Science In Criminology And Security Management pursue careers as Security Manager, Security Consultant, Security Analyst, Criminal Justice Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 153,000
Private, up to: Ksh 301,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Criminology and Security Management
Criminology
Security Management
Criminal Justice
Crime Prevention
Security Operations

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Criminology and Security Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to criminology and security management, covering crime concepts, security principles, and approaches to security management.
Criminology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of criminology, covering crime theories, criminal behavior, crime causation, and crime patterns.
Security Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of security management, covering security strategy, security planning, risk management, and security operations.
Criminal Justice
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of criminal justice, covering criminal law, criminal procedure, justice system, and criminal justice administration.
Crime Prevention
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of crime prevention, covering prevention strategies, community policing, situational crime prevention, and crime analysis.
Security Operations
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of security operations skills, covering physical security, electronic security, access control, and security surveillance.
Criminal Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of criminal law, covering criminal legislation, criminal procedure, evidence law, and legal frameworks for criminal justice.
Forensic Science
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of forensic science, covering forensic investigation, evidence collection, forensic analysis, and forensic reporting.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in security context.
Security Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in security management, covering security ethics, human rights, and ethical decision-making in security practice.
Criminology and Security Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical security work where students apply learned skills in security practice, crime prevention, and security operations.
Criminology and Security Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on criminology or security topic, demonstrating mastery of criminology and security management theory and practice.

Specialisations

Crime Prevention
Focus on prevention strategies, community policing, and situational crime prevention for crime prevention careers.
Criminal Justice
Focus on criminal law, criminal procedure, and justice system administration. 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.
Security Management
Specialization in security strategy, risk management, and security operations. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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

Students attend lectures, conduct security practice, participate in case studies, and engage in crime prevention.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for security professionals due to increasing security concerns and crime prevention needs.
Security management offers diverse career opportunities in private security, government, and law enforcement.
Security practice and case studies provide hands-on experience with crime prevention and security operations.

Against it

Security work can involve high-risk situations and requires strong situational awareness.
Security management often involves shift work and can require working during nights and weekends.

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

Public153k to 153k

153k at Kenyatta University153k at Kenyatta University

Private105k to 302k

105k at Mount Kenya University302k at United States International University 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

KU 153K/yr official site. MKU 52.5K/sem=105K/yr. USIU BA Criminal Justice 150.75K/sem=301.5K/yr.

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Education Assistance Programme
BursaryKenyan
Children of deceased or distressed advocates and law students in need

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Criminology, Security Management, Criminal Justice, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

English/Kiswahili
C
Mathematics
C
History/Government/CRE
C
Any Group II subject
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on criminology or security topic, demonstrating mastery of criminology and security management theory and practice.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of criminology, security management, and criminal justice.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of security management skills, security work, and practical applications through security practice and case studies.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and criminology exercises throughout the semester evaluating security knowledge and practical skills.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Security Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage security operations, develop security strategies, and coordinate security activities and risk management.
Security Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide security expertise, consult on security strategy, and support organizations in security improvement.
Security Analyst
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Analyse security threats, assess security risks, and support security planning and threat mitigation.
Criminal Justice Officer
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Support criminal justice, implement justice programs, and work in criminal justice administration.
Crime Prevention Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Support crime prevention, implement prevention programs, and work in community policing and crime analysis.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in criminology and security management across Kenya's security and law enforcement sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Power BI
AnalyticsPrimary

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
The programme is only for top-performing students.
While academic excellence is valued, the programme accepts students meeting the minimum KCSE requirements and supports diverse learners.
Graduates cannot find employment in Kenya.
Kenya's growing economy creates demand for qualified graduates across public, private, and NGO sectors.
The degree is not recognised internationally.
The programme is accredited by CUE and is recognised under regional and international qualification frameworks.