Social Sciences

Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Justice

The Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Justice is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in crime prevention, criminal investigation, security management and the criminal justice system. Offered at multiple Kenyan universities, the programme adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to studying crime and criminal issues in contemporary society.

The curriculum covers principles of criminology, criminal justice systems, criminal law and procedure, criminal psychology, forensic science fundamentals, criminal investigations, policing, punishment and society, juvenile delinquency, offender rehabilitation, drugs and society, economic and organised crime, fraud detection and management, gender and crime, research methods, computer applications, communication skills and entrepreneurship. Students develop both analytical and practical crime management skills.

Kenya's security sector requires trained professionals who can understand crime patterns, support criminal investigations, manage security operations and contribute to offender rehabilitation. The programme responds to the need for skilled practitioners in law enforcement, private security, probation services, corrections and community safety.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, field visits to criminal justice institutions, practical exercises, research projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience through field attachment at police stations, probation offices, prisons, security firms or community safety organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as security officers, probation assistants, prison officers, police officers, investigation assistants, fraud examiners, intelligence officers, community safety officers and private investigators in government agencies, private security firms, NGOs and corporate security departments. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Criminal Justice or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have analytical skills, interest in crime and justice issues, and strong ethical values. The programme is suitable for school leavers, police officers, security officers, probation officers and prison officers seeking professional qualifications.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 112,650
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Principles of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Criminal Law, Procedure and Kenyan Legal Systems
Criminal Psychology and Forensic Science
Criminal Investigations and Policing
Juvenile Delinquency and Offender Rehabilitation
Economic and Organised Crime, Fraud Detection
Drugs, Gender and Crime
Research Methods and Security Management

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Social Sciences and Criminology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers introduction to social sciences, principles of criminology, crime theories, sociology of crime and deviance, communication skills and ICT applications.
Criminal Justice and Forensic Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers introduction to criminal justice systems, principles of forensic science, fraud detection and management, and global and comparative criminology.
Criminal Law and Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers criminal law and procedure, Kenyan legal systems, criminal psychology, punishment and society, and methods of research for criminology.
Criminal Investigations and Policing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers introduction to criminal investigations, policing in comparative perspective, computer applications in criminology and health awareness.
Crime, Deviance and Rehabilitation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers crime deviance and rehabilitation, offender rehabilitation, juvenile delinquency, drugs and society, and theoretical criminology.
Economic Crime and Gender Issues
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers economic and organised crime, gender crime and social control, information literacy and entrepreneurship in security management.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
A research project on a criminology or criminal justice topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Field Attachment
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month field attachment at a criminal justice institution such as a police station, probation office, prison, security firm or court, assessed through an attachment report.

Specialisations

Criminal Investigations
Focuses on criminal investigation techniques, evidence gathering and case management for careers as investigation assistants.
Security Management
Specialises in security operations, risk management and corporate security for careers as security officers.
Offender Rehabilitation
Focuses on offender rehabilitation, probation and corrections for careers in probation and prison services.
Fraud Examination
Specialises in fraud detection, investigation and prevention for careers as fraud examiners in banking and corporate sectors.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on principles of criminology or criminal law, followed by a case study discussion on criminal investigations. Afternoon sessions may include a forensic science practical, a group exercise on fraud detection, or a debate on juvenile delinquency and offender rehabilitation. Students also work on research projects and prepare for field attachment at criminal justice institutions.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme is offered at many universities across Kenya, providing wide access and study location options.
Criminology skills are in demand across government, private security, banking and corporate sectors.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology or related degree programmes with credit transfers.

Against it

Some career paths in law enforcement require additional training beyond the diploma.
The field can be emotionally demanding, involving exposure to crime, violence and trauma cases.

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

Public67k to 67k

67k at Eldoret National Polytechnic67k at Eldoret National Polytechnic

Private92k to 113k

92k at Zetech University113k 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

TVET 67K/yr public. KCA 109K-113K, Zetech 92K/yr private (joweri.com, eafinder.com).

Students can access HELB loans. Some universities offer internal bursaries 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: KCE Division III, or Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice or related field from a recognised institution, or relevant experience in security, law enforcement or community safety.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering criminology theory, criminal law and justice systems.
Case Study Analysis
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of case study analysis, criminal investigation exercises and forensic science practicals.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A research project on a criminology or criminal justice topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Field Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during field attachment at a criminal justice institution.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at multiple Kenyan universities including KCA University, Kibabii University, Mount Kenya University, Zetech University and others.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at multiple Kenyan universities.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Security Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages security operations, conducts risk assessments, implements security protocols and coordinates security personnel in organisations.
Probation Assistant
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Supports probation services, conducts offender assessments, monitors probationers, prepares reports and assists with offender rehabilitation.
Investigation Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 120,000
Supports criminal investigations, gathers evidence, conducts interviews, prepares case files and assists investigators in law enforcement or private practice.
Fraud Examiner
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Investigates fraud cases, analyses financial records, conducts interviews, prepares fraud reports and supports fraud prevention in organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as security officers, probation assistants, investigation assistants and fraud examiners in government agencies, private security firms and corporate security departments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Criminology is only for police officers.
The programme is open to all students and prepares graduates for diverse careers in security, investigations, probation, corrections, fraud examination and community safety.
Criminology graduates can only work in government.
Graduates work in private security firms, corporate security departments, NGOs, banks, insurance companies and international organisations in addition to government agencies.
Criminology is the same as law.
Criminology focuses on crime causes, prevention and the criminal justice system, while law focuses on legal practice, advocacy and judicial processes.
You need to be physically fit to study criminology.
The programme is primarily academic and analytical, requiring critical thinking and research skills rather than physical fitness.