Arts & Humanities

Diploma in Bible and Theology

The Diploma in Bible and Theology is a programme that equips students with foundational knowledge of the Bible, Christian theology and ministry skills. Offered at KAG East University through the School of Bible and Theology, the programme prepares students for church ministry and further theological study.

The curriculum covers Old Testament studies, New Testament studies, biblical interpretation, systematic theology, Pentecostal theology, church history, homiletics, pastoral ministry, Christian education, evangelism and missions, worship studies, Christian ethics, spiritual formation, church leadership, counselling basics, communication skills and research methods. Students develop both biblical knowledge and practical ministry skills.

Kenya's church community requires trained leaders who can serve in various ministry capacities including pastoral work, teaching, evangelism and church administration. The programme responds to the need for biblically grounded and practically equipped church workers who can serve local congregations and Christian organisations.

The programme is delivered through lectures, Bible study sessions, chapel participation, ministry practicum, field attachment and independent study. Students develop their biblical understanding and ministry skills through classroom instruction, practical ministry experiences and spiritual formation activities.

Graduates pursue careers as pastors, assistant pastors, church workers, youth ministers, Sunday school coordinators, evangelists, Christian education directors, mission workers and church administrators in churches, Christian NGOs, schools and parachurch organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have a Christian faith commitment, interest in biblical studies and a calling to church ministry. The programme is suitable for students seeking foundational theological education for church service or further study.

Duration: 2 years
Private, up to: Ksh 93,050
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Old and New Testament Studies
Biblical Interpretation and Systematic Theology
Pentecostal Theology and Church History
Homiletics and Pastoral Ministry
Christian Education and Evangelism
Worship Studies and Christian Ethics
Church Leadership and Counselling Basics
Spiritual Formation and Communication Skills

Modules

8 in the programme

Old Testament Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Old Testament books, historical context, literary genres, major themes, characters and theological messages of the Old Testament.
New Testament Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers New Testament books, Gospels, Acts, Pauline epistles, general epistles, Revelation, historical context and theological themes.
Biblical Interpretation and Systematic Theology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers principles of biblical interpretation, hermeneutics, systematic theology, doctrine of God, Christology, pneumatology, soteriology and ecclesiology.
Pentecostal Theology and Church History
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers Pentecostal theology, Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, early church history, Reformation, African Christianity and Pentecostal movements.
Homiletics and Pastoral Ministry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sermon preparation and delivery, preaching styles, pastoral care, church administration, sacraments, weddings, funerals and pastoral counselling.
Christian Education and Evangelism
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Christian education principles, Sunday school organisation, discipleship, evangelism methods, missions, cross-cultural ministry and church planting.
Church Leadership and Christian Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers church leadership principles, servant leadership, team ministry, Christian ethics, moral decision-making, contemporary ethical issues and church governance.
Ministry Practicum and Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A ministry practicum involving supervised service in a local church or Christian organisation, assessed through a practicum report and a ministry project.

Specialisations

Pastoral Ministry
Focuses on pastoral care, preaching, church administration and sacramental ministry for careers as pastors.
Christian Education
Specialises in Christian education, discipleship and teaching for careers as Christian education directors.
Missions and Evangelism
Focuses on evangelism, cross-cultural missions and church planting for careers as mission workers.
Youth Ministry
Specialises in youth ministry, youth discipleship and youth counselling for careers as youth ministers.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning chapel service or devotional, followed by a lecture on Old or New Testament studies. Afternoon sessions may include a course on systematic theology or homiletics, a group Bible study discussion, or a ministry practicum session practising sermon preparation. Students also participate in spiritual formation groups and work on ministry assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme provides a strong biblical and theological foundation for church ministry and Christian service.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies or related degree with credit transfers.
The programme includes practical ministry experience through practicum and field attachment.

Against it

Career opportunities are primarily within the church and Christian sector, which may have limited formal employment positions.
Specific fee data is not publicly available, requiring prospective students to contact the university directly.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Private56k to 93k

56k at Tangaza University93k at Africa International 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

Tangaza 56.4K, AIU 93K/yr private. Public: none found (tangaza.ac.ke).

Students can access HELB loans. KAG East University may offer internal financial aid for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Certificate in Bible and Theology or related field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering Bible knowledge, theology and church history.
Ministry Practicum
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of practical ministry involvement including preaching, teaching and church service participation.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A research project on a biblical or theological topic, assessed through a written paper and oral presentation.
Ministry Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of supervised ministry attachment in a local church or Christian organisation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at KAG East University's School of Bible and Theology.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at KAG East University's School of Bible and Theology.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Pastor
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides spiritual leadership, preaches, conducts sacraments, pastoral care, church administration and community outreach in a local congregation.
Youth Minister
Low demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinates youth ministry, discipleship programmes, youth events and counselling in churches and Christian organisations.
Christian Education Director
Low demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinates Christian education programmes, Sunday school, Bible study groups and discipleship training in churches and institutions.
Mission Worker
Low demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 70,000
Engages in evangelism, church planting, community development and cross-cultural mission work with churches and mission agencies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates serve as pastors, church workers, youth ministers and Christian education directors in churches and Christian organisations.

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Theology is only for pastors.
Theological education prepares graduates for diverse roles including teaching, counselling, church administration, missions, Christian education and parachurch ministry.
You don't need formal training for church ministry.
Formal theological education provides biblical knowledge, ministry skills, ethical foundations and professional preparation that enhance effectiveness in church service.
A theology diploma has no career prospects outside the church.
Graduates work in churches, Christian NGOs, schools, counselling centres and community organisations, with opportunities in teaching, administration and social work.
Theology is just about reading the Bible.
Theology encompasses biblical interpretation, systematic theology, church history, ethics, pastoral care, preaching, counselling and leadership, providing a comprehensive foundation for ministry.