Social Sciences

Certificate in Sciences of Human Development

The Certificate in Sciences of Human Development provides foundational training in human development theories, social development, community development, and human growth across the lifespan. Students learn human development concepts, social development principles, community development, lifespan development, and social transformation. The programme is designed for individuals working in or seeking to enter social development, community work, or humanitarian sectors.

Students develop competencies in human development theory, social analysis, community development, lifespan development, social transformation, and development practice. The curriculum covers introduction to human development, social development theories, community development, lifespan development, social transformation, development communication, project management basics, and human development project work. Practical skills are developed through case studies and community engagement.

Human development is central to Kenya's social development agenda, with demand for trained personnel in community development, social work, humanitarian assistance, and development organisations. NGOs, community organisations, government agencies, and faith-based organisations require personnel who understand human development principles and social transformation. The programme addresses the demand for foundational human development training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, discussions, and community engagement. Students study human development theories, analyse social issues, examine community development models, and develop social transformation strategies. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, group discussions, and project-based work. The programme is offered in blended mode (online and face-to-face).

Graduates find employment as community development assistants, social development assistants, humanitarian support personnel, or development programme assistants in NGOs, community organisations, government agencies, and faith-based organisations. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma programmes in sciences of human development at Tangaza University.

This programme is ideal for individuals working in or seeking to enter social development, community work, or humanitarian sectors, including NGO staff, community leaders, and faith-based organisation workers. The programme provides foundational skills for social development practice.

Duration: 1 year
Private, up to: Ksh 36,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Blended (Online and Face-to-face)
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Human Development
Social Development Theories
Community Development
Lifespan Development
Social Transformation
Development Communication
Project Management Basics
Social Analysis
Human Rights and Development
Human Development Project Work

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Human Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to human development covering human development concepts, development theories, human development indicators, and the human development approach to social development.
Social Development Theories
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Social development theories covering social development concepts, development paradigms, social change theories, and frameworks for understanding social development in Kenya.
Community Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Community development covering community analysis, community mobilisation, community participation, community empowerment, and community development project planning.
Lifespan Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Lifespan development covering human growth and development across the lifespan, child development, adolescent development, adult development, and ageing.
Social Transformation and Development Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Social transformation covering social change processes, development communication, advocacy, and strategies for promoting social transformation in communities.
Social Analysis and Human Rights
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Social analysis covering social structures, inequality, poverty analysis, and human rights frameworks including the rights-based approach to development.
Project Management Basics for Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Project management basics covering development project planning, project implementation, project monitoring, and project evaluation in development contexts.
Human Development Project and Capstone
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
A human development project developing a community development plan, social analysis, or development intervention proposal, demonstrating applied human development competencies.

Specialisations

Community Development
Focus on community mobilisation, community participation, community empowerment, and community development project planning.
Social Transformation
Focus on social change processes, advocacy, development communication, and strategies for promoting social transformation.
Development Practice
Focus on development project management, social analysis, and development intervention design and implementation.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on human development theories with afternoon case study discussions and community engagement. Students study human development concepts, analyse social issues, examine community development models, and develop social transformation strategies. Group work involves community assessments and development project planning. The blended format combines online learning with face-to-face sessions. The programme emphasises practical understanding of human development and social transformation.

The trade offs

In its favour

Addresses Kenya's social development needs including community development, poverty reduction, and social transformation.
Blended learning mode provides flexibility for working professionals and students.
Provides a pathway to diploma programmes in sciences of human development at Tangaza University.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Direct career opportunities may be limited without further study or experience.
Development sector jobs may be project-based and dependent on donor funding.

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

Private36k to 36k

36k at Tangaza University36k at Tangaza 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

No public offering. Tangaza 36K/yr priv (tangaza.ac.ke).

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students. Tangaza University may offer church sponsorship or institutional scholarships for social development students.

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. Contact Tangaza University for specific entry requirements.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination40% of the mark
Regular assessments evaluating understanding of human development, social development, and community development concepts.
Case Studies and Community Assignments
Project30% of the mark
Case study analyses of development scenarios, community assessments, and social analysis assignments.
End of Semester Examinations and Capstone Project
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a capstone human development project demonstrating applied competencies.

Accreditation

Tangaza University is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered under the Institute for Social Transformation.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Tangaza University is accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Community Development Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 50,000
Assists in community development programmes in NGOs or community organisations, supporting community mobilisation, project implementation, and community engagement.
Social Development Assistant
Moderate demand
Supports social development programmes in NGOs or government agencies, assisting with programme coordination, social analysis, and development intervention delivery.
Development Programme Assistant
Moderate demand
Supports development programmes in NGOs or faith-based organisations, assisting with programme implementation, monitoring, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.
Humanitarian Support Personnel
Moderate demand
Supports humanitarian programmes in conflict-affected or disaster-affected areas, assisting with needs assessment, programme delivery, and community assistance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as community development assistants, social development assistants, and development programme assistants in NGOs, community organisations, and faith-based organisations, with opportunities for progression to diploma programmes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Human development is just about psychology.
Sciences of human development covers social development, community development, social transformation, and development practice, not just individual psychology.
Human development studies are not practical.
Human development studies directly apply to community development, NGO work, social programmes, and development interventions in Kenyan communities.
A certificate in human development has limited career value.
NGOs and development organisations require trained personnel, and the certificate provides a pathway to diploma programmes in human development.
Human development is only for social workers.
Human development skills are relevant for community leaders, NGO workers, faith-based organisation staff, and anyone involved in social development work.