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 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 112,650 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, distance learning, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 15 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cybersecurity Data Lawyer, at 9 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| The programme is offered at many universities across Kenya, providing wide access and study location options. | Some career paths in law enforcement require additional training beyond the diploma. |
| Criminology skills are in demand across government, private security, banking and corporate sectors. | The field can be emotionally demanding, involving exposure to crime, violence and trauma cases. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology or related degree programmes with credit transfers. | — |
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
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 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
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
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.
When it next starts
Taught at 15 institutionsIncluding Gretsa University, Mount Kenya University, Technical University of Kenya.
Including Gretsa University, Mount Kenya University, Technical University of Kenya.
Including Gretsa University, Mount Kenya University, Technical University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at multiple Kenyan universities.
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.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSecurity 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- Cybersecurity Data LawyerLaw9Low exposure
- In-House CounselLaw11Low exposure
- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Commercial Mediation SpecialistLaw15Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
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.