Social Sciences

Certificate in Peace, Security and Conflict

The Certificate in Peace, Security and Conflict provides foundational training in peace studies, conflict analysis, security studies, and conflict resolution. Students learn conflict theory, peacebuilding, security governance, conflict transformation, and peace education. The programme is designed for individuals working in or seeking to enter peacebuilding, security, community development, or humanitarian sectors.

Students develop competencies in conflict analysis, peacebuilding strategies, security governance, conflict resolution, peace education, and community peace interventions. The curriculum covers introduction to peace studies, conflict analysis and transformation, security studies, peacebuilding and reconciliation, governance and human rights, peace education, and community peace initiatives. Practical skills are developed through case studies and community engagement.

Kenya faces multiple peace and security challenges including inter-communal conflicts, violent extremism, resource-based conflicts, and border insecurity. Garissa University's location in a region affected by insecurity and conflict makes this programme particularly relevant. Peacebuilding organisations, government agencies, NGOs, and community organisations require trained personnel to support peace and security initiatives. The programme addresses the demand for foundational peace and security training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, group discussions, and community engagement. Students analyse conflicts, study peacebuilding models, and develop community peace initiatives. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, case study analysis, and project-based work. The programme emphasises practical understanding of peace and security challenges in Kenya and the Horn of Africa.

Graduates find employment as peacebuilding assistants, community peace mobilisers, security programme assistants, or humanitarian support personnel in NGOs, community organisations, government agencies, and peacebuilding organisations. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in peace, security and conflict management at Garissa University.

This programme is ideal for individuals working in or seeking to enter peacebuilding, security, community development, or humanitarian work, including NGO staff, community leaders, and government workers in conflict-affected regions. The programme's location at Garissa University provides direct relevance to Kenya's peace and security context.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 36,500
Private, up to: Ksh 61,650
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Peace Studies
Conflict Analysis and Transformation
Security Studies and Governance
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
Governance and Human Rights
Peace Education
Community Peace Initiatives
Conflict Resolution Methods
Humanitarian Assistance Basics
Peace and Security in the Horn of Africa

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Peace Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to peace studies covering peace concepts, types of peace, peace theory, the evolution of peace studies, and the role of peace education in society.
Conflict Analysis and Transformation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Conflict analysis covering conflict types, causes, dynamics, conflict mapping, and conflict transformation strategies including negotiation, mediation, and dialogue.
Security Studies and Governance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Security studies covering security concepts, human security, national security, security governance, and security challenges in Kenya and the Horn of Africa.
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Peacebuilding covering peacebuilding frameworks, post-conflict reconstruction, transitional justice, reconciliation processes, and building sustainable peace in communities.
Governance and Human Rights
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Governance and human rights covering democratic governance, human rights principles, rule of law, and the relationship between governance, rights, and peace.
Peace Education and Community Peace Initiatives
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Peace education covering peace pedagogy, peace education in schools and communities, and developing community peace initiatives and peace campaigns.
Peace and Security in the Horn of Africa
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Peace and security in the Horn of Africa covering regional conflicts, cross-border insecurity, violent extremism, resource conflicts, and regional peace and security frameworks.
Community Peace Project and Capstone
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
A community peace project developing a peace initiative or conflict resolution strategy for a real or simulated community context, demonstrating applied peace and security competencies.

Specialisations

Conflict Resolution
Focus on conflict analysis, negotiation, mediation, and conflict transformation strategies for community and inter-communal conflicts.
Security Governance
Focus on security policy, security governance, human security, and security challenges in Kenya and the Horn of Africa.
Community Peacebuilding
Focus on community-level peacebuilding, peace education, community reconciliation, and grassroots peace initiatives.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on peace and conflict theory with afternoon seminars and case study discussions. Students analyse real conflicts, study peacebuilding models, and discuss security challenges in Kenya and the Horn of Africa. Group work involves developing community peace initiatives and conflict resolution strategies. The programme's location in Garissa provides direct exposure to regional peace and security contexts.

The trade offs

In its favour

Garissa University's Institute of Peace & Security Studies is uniquely positioned in a conflict-affected region, providing relevant context.
Addresses Kenya's real peace and security challenges including inter-communal conflicts and violent extremism.
Provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in peace, security and conflict management at Garissa University.

Against it

Specific fee data is not publicly available; prospective students should contact Garissa University directly.
The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Peacebuilding careers may involve working in challenging and potentially insecure environments.

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

Public37k to 37k

37k at Kisii University37k at Kisii University

Private62k to 62k

62k at Mount Kenya University62k at Mount Kenya 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

Kisii Univ 36,500/yr, MKU 61,650/yr (kisiiuniversity.ac.ke, victormatara.com).

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students. Garissa University may offer institutional support for students from conflict-affected regions.

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+ (Plus) or equivalent qualification recognised by Garissa University Senate.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination40% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of peace theory, conflict analysis, and security studies concepts.
Case Studies and Assignments
Project30% of the mark
Case study analyses of real conflicts, peacebuilding assignments, and community peace initiative proposals.
End of Semester Examinations and Community Peace Project
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a community peace project demonstrating applied peace and security competencies.

Accreditation

Garissa University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered under the Institute of Peace & Security Studies.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Garissa University is chartered by CUE. The programme is offered under the Institute of Peace & Security Studies.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Peacebuilding Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 55,000
Assists in peacebuilding programmes in NGOs or community organisations, supporting peace initiatives, conflict resolution activities, and community dialogue processes.
Community Peace Mobiliser
Moderate demand
Mobilises communities for peace initiatives, organising peace dialogues, community reconciliation activities, and peace education programmes in conflict-affected areas.
Security Programme Assistant
Moderate demand
Supports security and peace programmes in government agencies or NGOs, assisting with programme coordination, research, and community engagement on security issues.
Humanitarian Support Personnel
Moderate demand
Supports humanitarian programmes in conflict-affected areas, assisting with needs assessment, programme delivery, and coordination of humanitarian assistance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as peacebuilding assistants, community peace mobilisers, and security programme assistants in NGOs, government agencies, and peacebuilding organisations, with opportunities for progression to diploma programmes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Peace studies is just about avoiding conflict.
Peace studies involves understanding conflict causes, conflict transformation, security governance, and building sustainable peace through justice and reconciliation.
Peace and security studies is only for military or police.
Peace and security studies is relevant for NGO workers, community leaders, humanitarian workers, and anyone involved in conflict-affected communities.
A certificate in peace studies has no practical value.
Peacebuilding organisations, NGOs, and government agencies employ certificate-trained personnel for community peace work, with pathways to diploma and degree programmes.
Peace studies is not relevant in Kenya.
Kenya faces multiple peace and security challenges including inter-communal conflicts, violent extremism, and resource-based conflicts, making peace studies highly relevant.