Health Sciences

Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy

The Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy provides foundational training in marriage counselling, family systems theory, relationship dynamics, and therapeutic interventions for couples and families. Students learn the fundamentals of family therapy approaches, communication patterns, conflict resolution in relationships, and ethical counselling practice. The programme is designed for individuals seeking to support couples and families or as a pathway to further studies in counselling and therapy.

Students develop competencies in marriage counselling, family systems analysis, relationship communication, conflict resolution, parenting support, and ethical therapeutic practice. The curriculum covers introduction to marriage and family therapy, family systems theory, couples counselling, communication in relationships, conflict resolution, parenting and child development, ethics in counselling, and practicum. Practical skills are developed through case studies and supervised practice.

Marriage and family challenges are significant in Kenyan society, with increasing awareness of the need for professional counselling support for couples and families. Churches, counselling centres, NGOs, and social service organisations require trained personnel to provide marriage and family support services. The programme addresses the growing demand for accessible, foundational training in marriage and family therapy within a Christian worldview.

The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, group discussions, and supervised practicum. Students analyse family dynamics, practise counselling techniques, and develop therapeutic intervention plans. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, case study analysis, role-play exercises, and supervised practice. The programme integrates psychological principles with Christian perspectives on marriage and family.

Graduates find employment as marriage and family counselling assistants, relationship educators, or family support workers in churches, counselling centres, NGOs, and social service organisations. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in counselling psychology, marriage and family therapy, or related fields at PAC University.

This programme is ideal for individuals interested in supporting couples and families, including church workers, social workers, teachers, and community leaders. The programme is particularly suitable for those serving in church or faith-based contexts where marriage and family support is needed.

Duration: 1 year
Private, up to: Ksh 36,000
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: 15 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy
Family Systems Theory
Couples Counselling Techniques
Communication in Relationships
Conflict Resolution in Marriage
Parenting and Child Development
Ethics in Counselling Practice
Crisis Intervention in Families
Biblical Perspectives on Marriage and Family
Counselling Practicum

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to marriage and family therapy covering the history, approaches, and foundational concepts of family therapy, and the role of therapy in supporting couples and families.
Family Systems Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Family systems theory covering family structure, roles, boundaries, generational patterns, and systemic approaches to understanding family dynamics.
Couples Counselling Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Couples counselling techniques covering assessment, intervention strategies, communication enhancement, intimacy building, and therapeutic approaches for couples.
Communication and Conflict Resolution in Relationships
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication in relationships covering communication patterns, active listening, conflict resolution techniques, anger management, and rebuilding trust in relationships.
Parenting and Child Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Parenting and child development covering developmental stages, parenting styles, parent-child relationships, and supporting families with children at different developmental stages.
Crisis Intervention in Families
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Crisis intervention covering family crises including divorce, domestic violence, grief, trauma, and substance abuse, and intervention strategies for families in crisis.
Ethics and Biblical Perspectives on Marriage
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethics in counselling practice covering confidentiality, boundaries, professional conduct, and biblical perspectives on marriage, family, and relationships.
Counselling Practicum and Capstone
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised counselling practicum providing hands-on experience in marriage and family counselling settings, and a capstone project developing a family therapy intervention plan.

Specialisations

Couples Counselling
Focus on couples counselling techniques, communication enhancement, and relationship strengthening for married and pre-marital couples.
Family Therapy
Focus on family systems approaches, parent-child relationships, and family dynamics intervention.
Church-Based Family Ministry
Focus on marriage and family support within church contexts, including marriage ministry, parenting programmes, and family pastoral care.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on marriage and family therapy theory with afternoon case study discussions and role-play exercises. Students analyse family dynamics, practise counselling techniques through role-play, and develop therapeutic intervention plans. Supervised practicum provides hands-on experience in counselling settings, while group discussions explore real-world marriage and family scenarios.

The trade offs

In its favour

Integrates psychological principles with Christian perspectives on marriage and family.
Growing awareness of mental health and family support creates increasing demand for counselling services.
Provides a pathway to diploma, degree, and master's programmes in marriage and family therapy at PAC University.

Against it

Independent counselling practice requires higher qualifications and professional licensing.
The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Specific certificate fee data is not publicly available; prospective students should contact PAC University directly.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Private36k to 36k

36k at East African Institute of Professional Counselling36k at East African Institute of Professional Counselling

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: none found. Priv: EAIPC 36K/yr (kenyaplex.com). No public cert found.

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students. PAC University may offer institutional scholarships for students in ministry and counselling programmes.

Funding options

HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
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: KCSE D (Plain) or equivalent qualification as determined by KNQA, or as guided by the relevant regulatory body.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination40% of the mark
Regular assessments evaluating understanding of family systems theory, counselling techniques, and ethics.
Case Studies and Role-Play Assessment
Practical assessment30% of the mark
Case study analysis, role-play exercises, and counselling skills demonstrations showing practical application of therapy techniques.
Final Examinations and Practicum Report
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a practicum report demonstrating applied marriage and family counselling competencies.

Accreditation

Pan Africa Christian University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme integrates psychological principles with Christian perspectives on marriage and family.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
PAC University is chartered by CUE. The programme integrates Christian perspectives with counselling training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Marriage and Family Counselling Assistant
Moderate demand
Assists in providing marriage and family counselling services in counselling centres, churches, or NGOs, supporting licensed counsellors in therapy delivery.
Relationship Educator
Moderate demand
Facilitates relationship education programmes for couples and families in churches, community organisations, or NGOs, teaching communication and relationship skills.
Family Support Worker
Moderate demand
Supports families in need through social service organisations, providing family support, parenting guidance, and connecting families to resources.
Church Family Ministry Coordinator
Low demand
Coordinates marriage and family ministry programmes in churches, organising counselling support, marriage enrichment, and family strengthening activities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as marriage and family counselling assistants, relationship educators, and family support workers in churches, counselling centres, and NGOs, with opportunities for progression to diploma and degree programmes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Marriage and family therapy is only for licensed psychologists.
Foundational marriage and family support skills can be learned at certificate level, with graduates providing support services under supervision or in church and community contexts.
Counselling is just giving advice.
Marriage and family therapy involves structured therapeutic approaches, family systems analysis, communication techniques, and ethical practice that require formal training.
Only couples in crisis need marriage therapy.
Marriage and family therapy includes prevention, relationship education, communication enhancement, and family strengthening, not just crisis intervention.
A certificate in marriage and family therapy has no career value.
Churches, counselling centres, and NGOs employ certificate holders as counselling assistants and family support workers, and the certificate provides a pathway to higher qualifications.