Diploma in Divinity
The Diploma in Divinity is a theological programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in biblical studies, theology, church history, pastoral ministry and Christian leadership. Offered at Eastern Kenya Integrated University, the programme prepares students for pastoral ministry, church leadership and Christian service.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 99,100 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 3 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers Old Testament studies, New Testament studies, systematic theology, church history, biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek), homiletics, pastoral care and counselling, Christian ethics, mission studies, worship and liturgy, church administration, research methods and industrial attachment. Students develop both theological knowledge and practical ministry skills.
The programme was developed in collaboration with Carey Theological College of the University of British Columbia through Canadian Baptist Ministries. It has been offered since 2008 when the first class graduated at Bishop Ngala and was posted for ministry.
The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, field education, pastoral placements, case studies, research assignments and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in preaching, pastoral care, church administration and community outreach through fieldwork and attachment at churches, para-church organisations or Christian ministries.
Graduates pursue careers as pastors, church ministers, youth pastors, Christian educators, mission workers and chaplains in churches, Christian organisations, schools and para-church ministries. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Divinity or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have a calling to Christian ministry, interest in theological studies and commitment to church service. The programme is suitable for students seeking pastoral and ministry careers in the church and Christian organisations.
What you study
8 subjects- Old Testament and New Testament Studies
- Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics
- Church History and Mission Studies
- Biblical Languages (Hebrew and Greek)
- Homiletics and Pastoral Care
- Worship, Liturgy and Church Administration
- Christian Education and Counselling
- Research Methods and Field Education
Modules
8 in the programmeOld Testament Studies and Biblical Hebrew
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Old Testament content, themes, historical context, exegesis and introductory biblical Hebrew for Scripture reading.
New Testament Studies and Biblical Greek
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers New Testament content, themes, historical context, exegesis and introductory biblical Greek for Scripture reading.
Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers systematic theology, doctrine, Christian ethics, moral reasoning and ethical decision-making in ministry contexts.
Church History and Mission Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers church history from the early church to modern times, African church history, mission studies and cross-cultural ministry.
Homiletics and Worship
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sermon preparation and delivery, preaching styles, worship planning, liturgy, sacraments and leading worship services.
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers pastoral care principles, counselling techniques, crisis intervention, grief counselling and family support in ministry.
Christian Education and Church Administration
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers Christian education, Sunday school curriculum, discipleship programmes, church administration, leadership and financial management.
Field Education and Research Project
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
A supervised field education placement at a church or Christian organisation, plus a research project on a theological or ministry topic assessed through a report.
Specialisations
Pastoral Ministry
Focuses on preaching, pastoral care and church leadership for careers as pastors.
Mission and Evangelism
Specialises in cross-cultural mission, church planting and evangelism for careers as mission workers.
Christian Education
Focuses on discipleship, curriculum development and teaching for careers as Christian educators.
Youth Ministry
Specialises in youth ministry, mentoring and spiritual formation for careers as youth pastors.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on Old Testament or New Testament studies, followed by a seminar on systematic theology or church history. Afternoon sessions may include a homiletics practicum, a pastoral care role-play, or a biblical languages exercise. Students also participate in field education placements at local churches and community outreach activities.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| The programme has a long history dating to 1950 and was developed in collaboration with Carey Theological College. | The programme is offered at only one institution, limiting study location options. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Divinity at the same institution. | Ministry careers often offer modest financial compensation, especially in smaller churches. |
| The programme combines theological depth with practical ministry training including field education. | — |
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 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
Kabarak 99.1K, KBTC 33K, KeMU 50K/yr private (kabarak.ac.ke, kbtc.ac.ke). Public: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans. EKIU may offer church-sponsored scholarships and bursaries for theology students through partner churches and ministries.
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
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Certificate in Divinity with a GPA of 2.5 from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Eastern Kenya Integrated University, Pioneer International University.
Including Pioneer International University.
Including Eastern Kenya Integrated University, Pioneer International University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering biblical studies, theology and church history.
Coursework Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of exegetical papers, theological essays, presentations and ministry reflections.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A theological or ministry research project assessed through a written dissertation and oral defence.
Field Education Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised field education placement at a church or Christian organisation.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Developed in collaboration with Carey Theological College (University of British Columbia). Eastern Kenya Integrated University is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
The programme was developed in collaboration with Carey Theological College (University of British Columbia) through Canadian Baptist Ministries. Eastern Kenya Integrated University is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesPastor
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 150,000
Leads a church congregation in worship, preaching, pastoral care, administration and community outreach.
Youth Pastor
Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 100,000
Ministers to youth in churches, develops youth programmes, provides mentoring and supports spiritual formation.
Christian Educator
Low demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 90,000
Develops and teaches Christian education programmes in churches, schools and para-church organisations.
Mission Worker
Low demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 80,000
Engages in cross-cultural mission work, church planting, community development and evangelism through mission agencies.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as pastors, church ministers, youth pastors and Christian educators in churches and Christian organisations.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Divinity is only for those becoming pastors.
While many graduates pursue pastoral ministry, the programme also prepares students for Christian education, counselling, mission work, chaplaincy and church administration.
Divinity studies have no academic rigour.
The programme includes biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek), systematic theology, church history and research methods, requiring significant academic engagement.
You need to be ordained to study divinity.
The diploma is open to anyone with a KCSE mean grade of D+ or a certificate in divinity, regardless of ordination status.
Divinity is the same as theology.
While closely related, divinity traditionally encompasses the practical aspects of ministry and pastoral training alongside theological study.