Diploma in Franciscan Studies
The Diploma in Franciscan Studies is a specialised programme that equips students with knowledge of Franciscan spirituality, the life and writings of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi, Franciscan history, contemplative prayer and spiritual formation. Offered at Tangaza University, the programme prepares students for ministries in Franciscan communities, parishes and spiritual formation contexts.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 56,400 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, holiday-based, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers Franciscan spirituality, the life of St Francis of Assisi, the life of St Clare, Franciscan sources and writings, Franciscan history and tradition, contemplative prayer and meditation, spiritual direction, religious formation, biblical foundations of Franciscan spirituality, poverty and simplicity in Franciscan tradition, creation spirituality and ecology, peacemaking and reconciliation, pastoral ministry, research methods and industrial attachment. Students develop both spiritual and pastoral skills.
The Franciscan tradition is one of the most influential spiritual traditions in the Catholic Church, with growing interest in Franciscan values of simplicity, care for creation, peace and service to the poor. The programme responds to the need for trained formators and spiritual guides who can support Franciscan communities and promote Franciscan values in pastoral settings.
The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, retreats, personal reflection, spiritual direction practicum, case studies, research projects and pastoral attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in spiritual guidance, retreat facilitation and pastoral ministry through practical exercises and attachment at Franciscan communities, parishes or retreat centres.
Graduates pursue careers as spiritual directors, formators in religious communities, pastoral assistants, retreat facilitators, catechists and youth ministers in parishes, religious communities, schools and retreat centres. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Theology or Spirituality.
Prospective students should have an interest in Franciscan spirituality, contemplative prayer and pastoral service. The programme is suitable for members of Franciscan communities, pastoral workers and students seeking spiritual formation.
What you study
8 subjects- Franciscan Spirituality and the Life of St Francis
- St Clare and Franciscan Women's Tradition
- Franciscan Sources, Writings and History
- Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Direction
- Creation Spirituality and Franciscan Ecology
- Peacemaking, Poverty and Simplicity in Franciscan Tradition
- Religious Formation and Pastoral Ministry
- Research Methods and Pastoral Attachment
Modules
8 in the programmeFranciscan Spirituality and the Life of St Francis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the life of St Francis of Assisi, his conversion, spiritual journey, Franciscan charism, the Rule of Life and foundational Franciscan spiritual values.
St Clare and Franciscan Women's Tradition
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the life of St Clare of Assisi, the Poor Clares, Franciscan women's spirituality, contemplative tradition and contributions of women to the Franciscan movement.
Franciscan Sources, Writings and History
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers primary Franciscan sources, the writings of St Francis and St Clare, early Franciscan chronicles, hagiographies and the historical development of the Franciscan order.
Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Direction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers contemplative prayer traditions, meditation practices, spiritual direction skills, listening, discernment and accompanying others in their spiritual journey.
Creation Spirituality and Franciscan Ecology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Franciscan creation spirituality, the Canticle of the Creatures, ecological theology, Laudato Si' and the Franciscan approach to environmental care.
Peacemaking, Poverty and Simplicity
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Franciscan peacemaking, reconciliation, poverty as a value, simplicity, minority and service to the marginalised in the Franciscan tradition.
Religious Formation and Pastoral Ministry
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers religious formation principles, initial and ongoing formation, pastoral ministry skills, catechesis, youth ministry and parish pastoral work.
Research Methods and Pastoral Attachment
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Covers research methods, reflective writing, plus a pastoral attachment at a Franciscan community, parish or retreat centre, assessed through a reflective report.
Specialisations
Spiritual Direction
Focuses on spiritual guidance and companionship for careers as spiritual directors.
Religious Formation
Specialises in formation of religious community members for careers as formators.
Franciscan Ecology
Focuses on creation spirituality and environmental care for careers in ecological ministry.
Pastoral Ministry
Specialises in parish and community pastoral work for careers as pastoral assistants.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on Franciscan spirituality or the life of St Francis, followed by a seminar on Franciscan sources and writings. Afternoon sessions may include a contemplative prayer session, a spiritual direction practicum, or a discussion on creation spirituality. Students also work on reflection papers and prepare for pastoral attachment.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| The programme offers deep spiritual formation rooted in one of the most influential traditions in the Catholic Church. | The programme is highly specialised with limited career opportunities outside religious and pastoral contexts. |
| Franciscan values of simplicity, ecology and peacemaking are increasingly relevant in contemporary society. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options. |
| The programme is offered at Tangaza University, a leading Catholic university in East Africa with strong theological resources. | — |
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
Tangaza 35.8K-56.4K/yr private (educationnewshub). Public: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans. Franciscan communities may sponsor members pursuing this programme. Tangaza University may offer internal bursaries.
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 a relevant field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Tangaza University.
Including Tangaza University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering Franciscan history, spirituality and sources.
Reflection Papers and Seminars
Assignment40% of the mark
Assessment of reflection papers, seminar presentations and spiritual direction practicum exercises.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A research project on a Franciscan spirituality topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Pastoral Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during pastoral attachment at a Franciscan community, parish or retreat centre.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Tangaza University as a specialisation within the Diploma in Spirituality.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSpiritual Director
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provides spiritual guidance and companionship to individuals seeking to deepen their spiritual life, using Franciscan spiritual traditions and practices.
Formator
Low demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 100,000
Guides and supports members of religious communities in their initial and ongoing formation, applying Franciscan formation principles.
Pastoral Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 90,000
Supports parish pastoral activities including catechesis, youth ministry, retreats and spiritual programmes, drawing on Franciscan spirituality.
Retreat Facilitator
Low demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 110,000
Organises and facilitates spiritual retreats, prayer days and formation programmes rooted in Franciscan spirituality at retreat centres and parishes.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as spiritual directors, formators in religious communities, pastoral assistants and retreat facilitators in parishes and retreat centres.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Franciscan Studies is only for Franciscan friars and sisters.
The programme is open to anyone interested in Franciscan spirituality, including lay people, pastoral workers and members of other religious communities.
Franciscan Studies is just about studying history.
The programme combines historical study with spiritual formation, contemplative practice, pastoral skills and ecological awareness rooted in the Franciscan tradition.
There are no career opportunities with this diploma.
Graduates work as spiritual directors, formators, retreat facilitators and pastoral assistants in parishes, schools and retreat centres.
Franciscan spirituality is outdated.
Franciscan values of simplicity, care for creation, peace and service to the marginalised are increasingly relevant in today's world, as reflected in Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si'.