Certificate in Chaplaincy
The Certificate in Chaplaincy is a specialised programme that equips students with foundational knowledge and skills for chaplaincy ministry in institutional settings. Offered at the Presbyterian University of East Africa, the programme prepares learners for pastoral care roles in hospitals, prisons, schools, military and other institutions.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 88,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in pastoral care, crisis counselling, spiritual formation, biblical foundations and institutional ministry. The curriculum combines theological study with practical chaplaincy training, enabling graduates to provide spiritual support and pastoral care in diverse institutional contexts.
Kenya has a growing need for trained chaplains in hospitals, schools, prisons, the military and corporate organisations. Chaplains provide essential spiritual and emotional support to individuals facing challenging circumstances, complementing professional healthcare and social services.
Teaching is delivered through classroom instruction, supervised practicum, chapel participation and institutional placements. Students engage with theological texts, counselling scenarios and real-world chaplaincy experiences under supervisor guidance.
Graduates typically find positions as institutional chaplains, pastoral care workers, youth chaplains or lay ministers in churches and parachurch organisations. Many proceed to pursue diploma or degree-level theological education for deeper ministry preparation.
The programme is ideal for Christians sensing a call to chaplaincy ministry who need foundational training before committing to longer programmes of study.
What you study
8 subjects- Pastoral Care
- Crisis Counselling
- Biblical Foundations
- Spiritual Formation
- Institutional Ministry
- Christian Ethics
- Chaplaincy Practicum
- Theology Basics
Modules
8 in the programmeIntroduction to Chaplaincy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of chaplaincy as a ministry, its history, models and institutional contexts.
Biblical Foundations for Chaplaincy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biblical principles underlying pastoral care and chaplaincy ministry.
Pastoral Care Basics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces pastoral care principles, listening skills and pastoral visitation.
Crisis Counselling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops skills for providing emotional and spiritual support during crises.
Spiritual Formation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Focuses on personal spiritual development and disciplines for chaplains.
Institutional Ministry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines chaplaincy in hospitals, prisons, schools and military settings.
Christian Ethics
Year 1Semester 22 creditsCore
Covers ethical decision-making in chaplaincy contexts and moral issues.
Chaplaincy Practicum
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised practical experience in an institutional chaplaincy setting.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a lecture on pastoral care or biblical foundations, followed by a counselling skills workshop. Afternoons involve supervised practicum at a hospital, prison or school placement, providing real chaplaincy experience.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Prepares for meaningful ministry serving people in challenging circumstances. | Many chaplaincy roles are volunteer-based or low-paying, especially in smaller institutions. |
| Combines theological study with practical supervised chaplaincy experience. | Emotionally demanding work requiring resilience and strong support systems. |
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 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
Priv: Tenwek 52.5K/yr, PUEA 88K/yr (tenwekhospitalcollege.ac.ke). No public univ offers chaplaincy.
Students may access church sponsorships, HELB loans and institutional bursaries.
Funding options
HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students in accredited certificate programmes
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from low-income backgrounds
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 Christian ministry experience and recommendation from a church leader
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Presbyterian University of East Africa.
Including Presbyterian University of East Africa.
Including Presbyterian University of East Africa.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Regular CATs throughout each semester.
Practical Assignments
Practical30% of the mark
Hands-on assignments assessed on competency.
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Formal written examinations at the end of each semester.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education under the respective university's charter.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) under the Presbyterian University of East Africa's charter.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesHospital Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 45,000
Provides spiritual and emotional support to patients, families and hospital staff.
School Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 48,000
Offers pastoral care and spiritual guidance to students and staff in schools.
Prison Chaplain
Low demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 40,000
Ministers to inmates and prison staff through pastoral care and spiritual programmes.
Lay Minister
Moderate demandKsh 15,000 to Ksh 35,000
Serves in church and parachurch organisations providing pastoral support.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates serve as institutional chaplains, pastoral care workers and lay ministers in various settings.