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Social Sciences

Certificate in Social Work and Community Development

The Certificate in Social Work and Community Development is a two-year Craft Certificate programme examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and offered at technical and vocational training institutions across Kenya. It equips students with foundational skills in social work practice, community development, and social administration. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) under the TVET Act, 2013.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 67,189
Ksh 134,378 total
Private tuition
Ksh 90,000
Ksh 180,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 134,378 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 90,000 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 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 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

Module I covers information communication technology, entrepreneurship, life skills, introduction to sociology, essentials of social policy, Kiswahili, legal aspects in social work and development, mathematics, foundations of accounting, and industrial attachment. Students learn foundational concepts in social work, sociology, and community development.

Module II advances to communication skills, introduction to community development, history and government of Kenya, community health, human growth and development, administration and management, business plan, and a trade project. The programme combines theory with practical field visits to community projects.

Entry requirements are a KCSE mean grade of D (plain) or a pass in a relevant Artisan Certificate. The programme is widely available at national polytechnics, technical training institutes, and social development colleges across Kenya.

Graduates pursue careers as social work assistants, community development assistants, project assistants, and welfare assistants in government ministries, county governments, NGOs, and community-based organisations. The programme provides a progression pathway to a Diploma in Social Work and Community Development, with Module I exemptions for certificate holders.

The programme includes an industrial attachment that provides students with practical field experience in community settings. Government-sponsored students placed through KUCCPS receive capitation funding, and HELB loans are available for eligible students. The standardised annual tuition fee at public TVET institutions is KES 67,189.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Introduction to Community Development
  • Social Policy and Administration
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Community Health
  • Legal Aspects in Social Work
  • Administration and Management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Communication Skills
  • History and Government of Kenya

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Information Communication Technology

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    ICT fundamentals for social work practice and data management.

  • Introduction to Sociology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Sociological concepts, social structures, and group dynamics relevant to social work.

  • Essentials of Social Policy

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Social policy principles, welfare systems, and policy analysis in Kenya.

  • Legal Aspects in Social Work and Development

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Legal framework governing social work practice and community development in Kenya.

  • Entrepreneurship

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Entrepreneurship principles for social enterprises and community projects.

  • Introduction to Community Development

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Community development concepts, participatory approaches, and community mobilisation.

  • Community Health

    Year 2Semester 12 creditsCore

    Public health principles, community health education, and disease prevention.

  • Human Growth and Development

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Human development across the lifespan and its relevance to social work practice.

  • Administration and Management

    Year 2Semester 12 creditsCore

    Administrative principles and management practices for social development organisations.

  • Trade Project

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Practical community development project applying social work competencies.

Specialisations

  • Social Work Practice

    Focus on case management, client support, and welfare services.

  • Community Development

    Specialisation in community mobilisation and project support.

  • Social Administration

    Focus on administrative roles in social development organisations.

  • Welfare Services

    Specialisation in welfare assistance and social protection programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on sociology or community development with afternoon field visits to community projects, case study discussions, and group exercises in social work practice.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Low entry requirements make it accessible to a wide range of students.Emotionally demanding work requiring resilience and coping skills.
Module I exemptions when progressing to diploma level.Entry-level salaries may be modest compared to diploma holders.
High demand for social work assistants in Kenya's NGO and government sectors.Field attachment may require placement in remote or challenging 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
Public50k to 67k
50k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology67k at Kabete National Polytechnic
Private50k to 90k
50k at The East African University90k at Auscare International College

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

MMUST 50K, TVET 67,189/yr. TEAU 50K, Auscare 90K/yr (kenyaplex.com, teau.ac.ke)

Government-sponsored students placed through KUCCPS receive capitation funding. HELB loans of up to KES 45,000 per year are available for eligible TVET certificate students.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • KUCCPS Government Capitation

  • County Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB TVET Loan

    LoanKsh 45,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students placed by KUCCPS in accredited TVET institutions.

  • KUCCPS Government Capitation

    SubsidyKsh 30,000Kenyan

    Government-sponsored students placed by KUCCPS receive capitation funding.

  • County Bursary

    BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan

    Various county governments offer bursaries for TVET students.

Scholarships you could apply for

1 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Dminimum entry
Alternative entry

Pass in a relevant Artisan Certificate in social development or equivalent qualification approved by KNEC.

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including GoCare Training Institute, Bartmore Technical College.

May 20272 institutions

Including GoCare Training Institute, Bartmore Technical College.

September 20272 institutions

Including GoCare Training Institute, Bartmore Technical College.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • End of Module KNEC Examinations

    Written examination70% of the mark

    KNEC-administered examinations at the end of each module.

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat20% of the mark

    Internal continuous assessment tests throughout each module.

  • Trade Project

    Project10% of the mark

    Practical community development project as part of KNEC assessment.

Accreditation

  • Kenya National Examinations Council

    AcademicRequired

    Examined by KNEC under course code 1410. Institutions must be TVETA-accredited.

  • Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority

    InstitutionalRequired

    All TVET institutions offering this programme must be registered and accredited by TVETA.

Examined by KNEC and accredited by TVETA under the TVET Act, 2013. Institutions offering this programme must be registered and accredited by TVETA.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Social Work Assistant

    High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 480,000

    Assists social workers in case management, client support, and welfare services.

  • Community Development Assistant

    High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 480,000

    Supports community development projects and mobilises community participation.

  • Project Assistant (NGO)

    Moderate demandKsh 360,000 to Ksh 540,000

    Assists in implementing NGO projects at community level.

  • Welfare Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 480,000

    Provides welfare support services in government departments and organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as social work assistants and community development assistants in government, NGOs, and community-based organisations across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Office Suite

    SoftwarePrimary

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Social work is just volunteering.

    Social work is a structured profession with KNEC certification and employment opportunities in government, NGOs, and international organisations.

  • A certificate limits career growth.

    The certificate provides Module I exemptions for the diploma, enabling faster progression to higher qualifications.

  • Community development is only for rural areas.

    Graduates work in diverse settings including urban NGOs, schools, hospitals, and government departments.

  • Social work is low-paying.

    While entry-level salaries may be modest, experienced social workers in international NGOs earn competitive salaries.

Further reading

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