Arts & Humanities

Certificate in Divinity

The Certificate in Divinity provides foundational theological education and ministerial training for individuals preparing for Christian ministry and church leadership. Students explore biblical studies, theology, church history, and practical ministry skills within the African context. The programme is designed for those seeking entry-level ministerial roles or lay leadership positions in churches and faith-based organisations.

Students develop competencies in Old and New Testament studies, systematic theology, pastoral care, preaching, and Christian education. The curriculum covers biblical interpretation, church history, ethics, mission studies, and the role of the church in community development. Practical ministry skills including leading worship, conducting sacraments, pastoral counselling, and church administration are emphasised alongside theological foundations.

The programme is rooted in the heritage of theological education in Kenya, where churches and theological institutions have played a central role in education and community development since the colonial era. The Africa Brotherhood Church, which established the Eastern Kenya Integrated College as a divinity school in 1950, represents the long tradition of African-initiated churches providing theological training for their ministers and leaders.

The programme combines classroom lectures with practical ministry placements. Students participate in supervised ministry experiences in local churches, conducting services, leading Bible studies, and providing pastoral care. Teaching methods include exegetical exercises, sermon preparation, theological reflection papers, and field education assignments. The programme is delivered on a full-time basis with part-time options available.

Graduates find placement as pastors, evangelists, church administrators, lay ministers, or Christian education coordinators in churches and faith-based organisations. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in divinity, theology, or religious studies, with many graduates progressing to higher theological education.

This programme is ideal for individuals called to Christian ministry who do not meet the entry requirements for diploma or degree programmes, as well as lay leaders and church workers seeking formal theological qualification. The accessible entry requirements make it suitable for mature candidates with ministry experience but limited formal education.

Duration: 2 years
Private, up to: Ksh 60,000
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: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Old Testament Studies
New Testament Studies
Systematic Theology
Church History
Biblical Interpretation
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Preaching and Homiletics
Christian Ethics
Mission Studies
Church Administration

Modules

10 in the programme

Introduction to Old Testament
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of the Old Testament covering the structure, content, and major themes of the Pentateuch, historical books, wisdom literature, and prophetic writings, with attention to the African context.
Introduction to New Testament
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of the New Testament covering the Gospels, Acts, Pauline epistles, general epistles, and Revelation, with emphasis on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early church.
Systematic Theology I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational Christian doctrines including the doctrine of God, creation, humanity, sin, and revelation, presented in systematic form with reference to African theological perspectives.
Biblical Interpretation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and methods of biblical interpretation including historical-critical, literary, and contextual approaches, with practical exercises in exegesis and application.
Church History
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Survey of church history from the early church through the Reformation to modern Christianity, with particular attention to the history of Christianity in Africa and Kenya.
Preaching and Homiletics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of sermon preparation and delivery including expository, topical, and narrative preaching, with practical preaching exercises and peer evaluation.
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational skills in pastoral care and counselling including active listening, crisis intervention, grief support, and pastoral visitation, with attention to the African cultural context.
Christian Ethics and Mission Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Christian ethical principles applied to contemporary issues including marriage, family, social justice, and public life, alongside an introduction to Christian mission and evangelism.
Church Administration
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of church administration including leadership, financial management, committee structures, conflict resolution, and strategic planning for church ministries.
Supervised Ministry Placement
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical ministry experience under supervision in a local church or faith-based organisation, applying learned competencies in preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and church leadership.

Specialisations

Pastoral Ministry
Focus on pastoral care, preaching, church leadership, and congregational management for those preparing to lead local churches.
Biblical Studies
Focus on in-depth study of biblical texts, interpretation methods, and biblical languages for teaching and research roles.
Mission and Evangelism
Focus on Christian mission, evangelism, church planting, and cross-cultural ministry in the African context.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on biblical studies or theology with afternoon practical sessions including sermon preparation, exegetical exercises, and pastoral care role-plays. Students may participate in chapel services, lead devotions, and engage in supervised ministry placements at local churches during weekends and holidays.

The trade offs

In its favour

Provides foundational theological education accessible to individuals with minimal academic qualifications.
Serves as a direct pathway to diploma and degree programmes in divinity and theology.
EKIU has a long heritage of theological education dating to 1950, with international partnerships.

Against it

Ministry roles often offer modest compensation, particularly in smaller congregations.
Tuition fee information is not publicly available, requiring direct contact with the institution.
The programme is offered at only one institution in Kenya, limiting geographic accessibility.

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

Private22k to 60k

22k at Kenya Baptist Theological College60k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu

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

Private: KBTC 22K, GLUK 60K/yr (kbtc.ac.ke, studyinkenya). Public: no public divinity cert.

Church-sponsored students may receive support from their sending congregations or denominations. NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students.

Funding options

NGCDF Bursary

Scholarships

1 recorded

NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: D-
Alternative entry: KCPE with 300 marks, or relevant experience in church ministry as determined by the institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Regular CATs conducted throughout each semester to evaluate understanding of biblical content, theological concepts, and church history.
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester covering all modules taken during the semester.
Ministry Practicum and Assignments
Practical assessment20% of the mark
Practical assessments including sermon presentations, exegetical papers, pastoral care role-plays, and supervised ministry placement reports.

Accreditation

Eastern Kenya Integrated University was granted a Letter of Interim Authority (LIA) as a university in December 2025, transitioning from Eastern Kenya Integrated College. The institution has a long history of theological education dating to 1950. Programmes are offered in collaboration with Carey Theological College (University of British Columbia) through Canadian Baptist Ministries.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
EKIU was granted a Letter of Interim Authority (LIA) as a university in December 2025. The institution has a long history of theological education through its predecessor, Eastern Kenya Integrated College.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Pastor
Low demandKsh 15,000 to Ksh 60,000
Leads a local congregation in worship, preaching, pastoral care, sacraments, and church administration, providing spiritual leadership to the faith community.
Evangelist
Low demandKsh 12,000 to Ksh 45,000
Conducts evangelistic outreach, leads revival meetings, and supports church planting efforts in communities.
Lay Minister
Moderate demandKsh 10,000 to Ksh 35,000
Serves in voluntary or part-time church leadership roles including leading Bible studies, coordinating Christian education, and supporting pastoral care.
Church Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 50,000
Manages church operations including finances, records, events, and facilities, supporting the ministerial team in administrative functions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find placement as pastors, evangelists, lay ministers, and church administrators in churches and faith-based organisations, with opportunities for progression to diploma and degree programmes.

Tools you will learn

Bible Gateway
SoftwarePrimary
Logos Bible Software
Software

Certifications

Eastern Kenya Integrated University Certificate in Divinity

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A certificate in divinity is only for those who want to become pastors.
The programme provides theological foundation useful for various church roles including teaching, administration, counselling, and mission work.
Theological education is not relevant in modern Kenya.
Churches and faith-based organisations play significant roles in education, healthcare, and community development in Kenya, requiring trained leadership.
You need to be ordained to study divinity.
The certificate programme is open to anyone interested in theological education, including lay leaders and individuals exploring a call to ministry.
Divinity studies are only for one denomination.
While EKIU has Africa Brotherhood Church roots, theological education generally welcomes students from diverse Christian traditions.