Certificate in Social Work
The Certificate in Social Work provides foundational training in social work principles, community development, counselling basics, social welfare, and human behaviour. Students learn social work concepts, community development, helping skills, social welfare systems, and case management. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in social work, community development, or social services, or as a pathway to further studies in social work.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 67,189 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 50,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of D or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1 year, full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, holiday-based, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 13 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in social work principles, community development, counselling skills, social welfare, case management, human behaviour, and social intervention. The curriculum covers introduction to social work, community development, counselling and helping skills, social welfare systems, human growth and behaviour, case management, social problems and interventions, and social work project work. Practical skills are developed through case studies and community engagement.
Social work skills are in high demand across Kenya's social development sector. Government agencies, NGOs, community organisations, schools, healthcare facilities, and faith-based organisations require trained personnel for social work, community development, and social service delivery. Kenya faces social challenges including poverty, child protection, gender-based violence, and community development needs. The programme addresses the demand for foundational social work training.
The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, practical exercises, and community engagement. Students study social work concepts, analyse social problems, practise helping skills, and develop community interventions. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, group discussions, and project-based work. The programme emphasises practical social work and community development skills.
Graduates find employment as social work assistants, community development assistants, welfare assistants, case management support staff, or programme assistants in NGOs, government agencies, community organisations, schools, and healthcare facilities. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in social work.
This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with an interest in social work, community development, and helping professions, as well as individuals working in or seeking to enter social services. The programme provides foundational skills for social work practice and community development.
What you study
10 subjects- Introduction to Social Work
- Community Development
- Counselling and Helping Skills
- Social Welfare Systems
- Human Growth and Behaviour
- Case Management
- Social Problems and Interventions
- Project Management Basics
- Child Protection and Welfare
- Social Work Project Work
Modules
8 in the programmeIntroduction to Social Work
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to social work covering social work concepts, history, values and ethics, the role of social workers, and social work in the Kenyan context.
Community Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Community development covering community analysis, community mobilisation, community participation, community empowerment, and community development project planning.
Counselling and Helping Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Counselling and helping skills covering active listening, empathy, basic counselling techniques, helping relationships, and communication skills for social work.
Human Growth and Behaviour
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Human growth and behaviour covering lifespan development, human behaviour theories, social influences on behaviour, and understanding behaviour in social contexts.
Social Welfare Systems and Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Social welfare covering social welfare concepts, social welfare systems in Kenya, social policy, social services, and the role of government in social welfare.
Case Management and Social Problems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Case management covering case assessment, case planning, intervention, monitoring, and addressing social problems including poverty, child protection, and gender-based violence.
Project Management and Child Protection
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Project management basics for social work and child protection covering children's rights, child welfare, child protection systems, and managing social work projects.
Social Work Project and Capstone
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
A social work project developing a community intervention, case study, or social service proposal, demonstrating applied social work and community development competencies.
Specialisations
Community Development
Focus on community mobilisation, community participation, community empowerment, and community development project planning.
Child Protection and Welfare
Focus on children's rights, child welfare, child protection systems, and supporting vulnerable children and families.
Counselling and Case Management
Focus on counselling skills, case assessment, case planning, intervention, and managing social work cases.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on social work theory or community development with afternoon case study discussions and practical exercises. Students analyse social problems, practise counselling skills, develop community interventions, and study social welfare systems. Group work involves community assessments and social intervention planning. The programme emphasises practical social work and community development skills for real-world application.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand for social work and community development skills across Kenya's social sector. | Fee data varies significantly between institutions and is not always publicly available. |
| Offered at 13 universities including public and private, providing wide accessibility. | Professional social work roles require diploma or degree-level qualifications plus KNASW registration. |
| Provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in social work with KNASW professional membership. | Social work can be emotionally demanding, dealing with vulnerable populations and social problems. |
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 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
Chuka 60K, TVET 67,189/yr. Summit 45K, Gretsa 50K/yr (chuka.ac.ke, eafinder.com)
HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students. Universities may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB 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
Scholarships you could apply for
6 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- 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
KCSE D (Plain) with D in English/Kiswahili for Chuka; KCSE D+ (Plus) for Maseno and Kisii; KCSE D (Plain) for Lukenya. Most institutions accept D or D+ with relevant subject requirements.
When it next starts
Taught at 13 institutionsIncluding Maseno University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University.
Including Maseno University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University.
Including Maseno University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination40% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of social work, community development, and counselling concepts.
Case Studies and Practical Assignments
Project30% of the mark
Case study analyses of social work scenarios, community assessments, and counselling practice exercises.
End of Semester Examinations and Capstone Project
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a capstone social work project demonstrating applied competencies.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
All offering universities are chartered by CUE.
All offering universities are chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme aligns with KNASW professional standards.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSocial Work Assistant
High demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 55,000
Assists social workers in government agencies, NGOs, or healthcare facilities, supporting case management, client assessment, intervention delivery, and social service coordination.
Community Development Assistant
High demand
Supports community development programmes in NGOs or community organisations, assisting with community mobilisation, project implementation, and community engagement.
Welfare Assistant
Moderate demand
Supports welfare programmes in government agencies or NGOs, assisting with welfare service delivery, beneficiary support, and welfare programme coordination.
Programme Assistant (Social Development)
Moderate demand
Supports social development programmes in NGOs or development organisations, assisting with programme implementation, monitoring, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as social work assistants, community development assistants, and welfare assistants in NGOs, government agencies, schools, and healthcare facilities, with opportunities for progression to diploma and degree programmes.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Social work is just about helping people.
Social work is a professional discipline requiring training in counselling, case management, social policy, community development, and intervention methods.
Social work is the same as charity work.
Social work involves professional assessment, intervention planning, case management, and systemic approaches to addressing social problems, not just charitable giving.
A certificate in social work has limited career value.
Kenya's social development sector requires trained personnel, and the certificate provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes with KNASW professional membership.
Social work is only for NGOs.
Social work skills are needed in government agencies, schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, corporate organisations, and faith-based organisations, not just NGOs.