Social Sciences

Diploma in Counselling Psychology

The Diploma in Counselling Psychology is a KUCCPS-listed programme (Social Sciences cluster), offered notably at the University of Nairobi's Department of Psychology, that trains graduates in applied psychological strategies to support individuals facing personal and social challenges.

Students study counselling theories and techniques, human development, abnormal psychology basics, group counselling, and ethics in counselling practice, working toward practical competence in helping clients navigate intra-personal, inter-personal, and systemic issues. Skills RequiredCounselling TechniquesActive ListeningHuman Development TheoryGroup CounsellingCounselling EthicsKey SubjectsIntroduction to Counselling PsychologyHuman Growth and DevelopmentCounselling Theories and TechniquesGroup CounsellingAbnormal Psychology BasicsEthics in CounsellingCertificationsKenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) MembershipSpecializationsSchool CounsellingFocus on supporting students' academic, social, and emotional development in school settings. Community CounsellingFocus on supporting individuals and families in community-based settings. Skills RequiredActive ListeningCounselling EthicsCounselling TechniquesGroup CounsellingHuman Development TheoryKey SubjectsIntroduction to Counselling PsychologyHuman Growth and DevelopmentCounselling Theories and TechniquesGroup CounsellingAbnormal Psychology BasicsEthics in CounsellingCertificationsKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) CertificationSpecializationsSchool CounsellingFocus on supporting students' academic, social, and emotional development in school settings. Community CounsellingFocus on supporting individuals and families in community-based settings.

Kenya's growing recognition of mental health and psychosocial support needs, amplified by social and economic pressures, has increased demand for trained counsellors across schools, workplaces, and community organisations.

Training combines classroom psychology theory with supervised counselling practice, often including a practicum placement in a school, hospital, or community counselling setting.

Graduates work as school counsellors, workplace/EAP counsellors, and community-based counsellors, with progression into Bachelor of Arts in Counselling Psychology and beyond into clinical or counselling psychology postgraduate study.

The programme suits students with strong interpersonal and listening skills who want a people-facing career supporting mental and emotional wellbeing, without requiring a full clinical psychology degree to start.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 70,000
Private, up to: Ksh 95,404
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: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

6 subjects

Introduction to Counselling Psychology
Human Growth and Development
Counselling Theories and Techniques
Group Counselling
Abnormal Psychology Basics
Ethics in Counselling

Modules

11 in the programme

Theories of Counselling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Counselling theories and approaches as applied to counselling psychology principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Developmental Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Human development across lifespan as applied to counselling psychology principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Introduction to Counselling Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational theories and principles of counselling psychology for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Human Growth and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Psychosocial development across the lifespan from childhood through adulthood for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Group Counselling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Group therapy techniques as applied to counselling psychology principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Counselling Theories and Techniques
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Core counselling approaches and practical techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Group Counselling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Facilitating counselling in group settings, including group dynamics and for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Ethics in Counselling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Professional ethics and boundaries in counselling practice for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Abnormal Psychology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Mental disorders and diagnosis as applied to counselling psychology principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Practicum
Year 3Semester 14 creditsCore
Supervised counselling practice applying classroom theory and practical skills in real workplace environments under supervision.
Counselling Practicum
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Supervised counselling practice placement in a real or simulated for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

School Counselling
Focus on supporting students' academic, social, and emotional development in school settings, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Community Counselling
Focus on supporting individuals and families in community-based settings, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Marriage and Family Therapy
Focus on couples counselling, family systems therapy, conflict resolution, and relationship interventions within Kenyan cultural and social contexts.
Trauma Counselling
Focus on trauma-informed counselling, PTSD treatment, crisis intervention, and psychological first aid for individuals affected by violence and disaster in Kenya.

A day as a student

Days combine lectures on counselling theory and human development with supervised practicum sessions, role-play counselling exercises, and case discussions under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing recognition of mental health needs is increasing demand for trained counsellors across sectors.
Meaningful, people-centred work with tangible impact on individuals and communities.

Against it

Entry-level counselling roles are often modestly paid and tied to school or NGO budgets.
Emotionally demanding work that requires strong personal resilience and boundaries.

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

Public70k to 70k

70k at Chuka University70k at Chuka University

Private85k to 95k

85k at KCA University95k at KCA 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

Chuka 70K/yr public. KCA 85K-95K, Zetech 92K/yr private (chuka.ac.ke, eafinder.com).

Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; schools and NGOs occasionally sponsor students for guidance and counselling roles.

Funding options

HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.

Scholarships

2 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: A relevant certificate from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across counselling theory and psychology units.
Counselling Practicum Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Supervised assessment of practical counselling skills.
Final Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations.

Accreditation

KUCCPS-listed diploma (Social Sciences cluster); examined by the offering institution, commonly a university department of psychology.

Accredited by

Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised as a diploma qualification within Kenya's education framework.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Marriage and Family Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Provides counselling services for couples and families, facilitates conflict resolution, and supports relationship wellbeing in private practice and organisations.
School Counsellor (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 42,000
Provides guidance and counselling support to students in a school.
Community Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 40,000
Provides counselling support through a community organisation or NGO.
Workplace/EAP Counsellor (Junior)
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 48,000
Supports employee wellbeing through a workplace counselling programme.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as school counsellors, workplace/EAP counsellors, and community-based counsellors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Psychological Testing Kit
Assessment toolsPrimary
Standardised psychological assessment instruments for personality, cognitive, and behavioural evaluation.
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Assessment toolPrimary
Widely used self-report questionnaire for measuring depression severity in clients.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Documentation, case notes, client records, and counselling report writing.
SPSS
Statistical software
Statistical analysis software for counselling research and data interpretation.
Counselling Session Recording Tools
Training equipment
Audio recording and transcription tools for practicum review and supervision.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A diploma-level counsellor can diagnose mental illness like a clinical psychologist.
Diploma holders provide supportive counselling; diagnosis and clinical treatment require further clinical psychology or psychiatric training.
Counselling is just giving advice.
It is a structured, theory-grounded practice using specific techniques and ethical guidelines, not informal advice-giving.