Diploma in HIV/AIDS Management
The Diploma in HIV/AIDS Management is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, counselling, programme management and community mobilisation. Offered at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Kirinyaga University, the programme prepares students for careers supporting HIV/AIDS response in healthcare facilities, NGOs and community organisations.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 112,050 a year at a public institution, Ksh 168,075 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 90,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1.5 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers HIV/AIDS epidemiology, virology and immunology, HIV prevention strategies, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), antiretroviral therapy (ART), care and support for people living with HIV, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), HIV and gender, stigma and discrimination, community mobilisation, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, research methods, communication skills and field attachment. Students develop both clinical and community-level HIV management skills.
Kenya has made significant progress in HIV response, but sustained efforts are needed to achieve epidemic control, support those living with HIV and prevent new infections. The programme responds to the need for trained personnel who can support HIV testing, treatment, care and community-based interventions across healthcare and community settings.
The programme is delivered through lectures, counselling practicum, field visits to HIV programmes, case studies, research projects, group discussions and field attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in VCT, ART support, community mobilisation and HIV programme management through attachment at healthcare facilities, NGOs or community organisations.
Graduates pursue careers as HIV counsellors, VCT officers, ART adherence officers, community health workers, HIV programme assistants and peer educators in hospitals, clinics, NGOs and community-based organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Public Health or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have compassion, interest in public health and commitment to supporting people affected by HIV. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in HIV/AIDS response and community health.
What you study
8 subjects- HIV/AIDS Epidemiology, Virology and Immunology
- HIV Prevention, VCT and Counselling
- Antiretroviral Therapy and Care for People Living with HIV
- PMTCT, HIV and Gender, Stigma and Discrimination
- Community Mobilisation and HIV Programme Management
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Methods
- Communication Skills and Health Education
- Field Attachment and HIV Management Project
Modules
6 in the programmeHIV/AIDS Epidemiology, Virology and Immunology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers HIV epidemiology, HIV virology, immune system, CD4 monitoring, disease progression, opportunistic infections and the global and Kenyan HIV situation.
HIV Prevention, VCT and Counselling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers HIV prevention strategies, behaviour change communication, voluntary counselling and testing, HIV testing approaches, counselling skills and pre/post-test counselling.
Antiretroviral Therapy and Care for People Living with HIV
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers ART drugs, treatment protocols, adherence support, side effects management, care and support for people living with HIV, nutrition and palliative care.
PMTCT, Gender, Stigma and Community Mobilisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers prevention of mother-to-child transmission, HIV and gender, stigma and discrimination reduction, community mobilisation, home-based care and support groups.
HIV Programme Management, M&E and Research
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Covers HIV programme management, monitoring and evaluation, proposal writing, data collection, research methods, health education and communication skills.
Field Attachment and HIV Management Project
Year 1Semester 36 creditsCore
A field attachment at a healthcare facility, NGO or community organisation providing HIV services, plus an HIV management project assessed through a report.
Specialisations
HIV Counselling and Testing
Focuses on VCT and counselling skills for careers as HIV counsellors.
ART and Clinical Support
Specialises in ART adherence and patient support for careers as ART adherence officers.
Community HIV Mobilisation
Focuses on community engagement and prevention for careers as community health workers.
HIV Programme Management
Specialises in programme coordination and M&E for careers as HIV programme assistants.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on HIV epidemiology or ART protocols, followed by a counselling practicum session. Afternoon sessions may include a case study on PMTCT, a group discussion on stigma reduction, or a workshop on community mobilisation. Students also work on HIV management projects and prepare for field attachment.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's HIV response is well-funded by major donors, creating employment opportunities in NGOs and government programmes. | The programme is specialised in HIV/AIDS, which may limit career flexibility compared to broader public health qualifications. |
| The programme is short (1.5 years), providing quick entry into HIV response work. | As HIV funding priorities shift, some positions may be subject to donor funding cycles. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Public Health or related degree programmes. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health 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, JKUAT 112K/yr public. JFC 60K, Tricent 90K/yr private (kenyaeducationguide.com).
Students can access HELB loans. HIV/AIDS organisations may offer sponsorships for students committed to community health work.
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
10 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
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- 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
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Certificate in HIV/AIDS Management, or KCE Division III with Credit in English/Kiswahili and Biology, or KACE with Principle pass in Biology.
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding Kirinyaga University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mount Kenya University.
Including Kirinyaga University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mount Kenya University.
Including Kirinyaga University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mount Kenya University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering epidemiology, prevention, ART and programme management.
Counselling Practicum Assessment
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of counselling skills through role plays, VCT practicum and supervised counselling sessions.
HIV Management Project
Project40% of the mark
A research or programme project on an HIV/AIDS management topic, assessed through a written report and presentation.
Field Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during field attachment at a healthcare facility, NGO or community organisation.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at JKUAT and Kirinyaga University.
National AIDS and STI Control Programme
Professional
HIV testing and counselling certification through NASCOP may be required for practice.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesHIV Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides HIV counselling, testing and psychosocial support to individuals and families affected by HIV in healthcare facilities and community settings.
ART Adherence Officer
Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 140,000
Supports patients on antiretroviral therapy, monitors adherence, provides counselling and tracks treatment outcomes in healthcare facilities.
Community Health Worker
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 120,000
Mobilises communities for HIV testing, prevention and support, conducts home visits and links community members to HIV services.
HIV Programme Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 160,000
Supports HIV programme implementation in NGOs and health facilities, assists with data collection, reporting and community activities.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as HIV counsellors, VCT officers, ART adherence officers and community health workers in hospitals, NGOs and community organisations.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
HIV/AIDS management is just about counselling.
The programme covers epidemiology, virology, ART, PMTCT, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, and community mobilisation, providing comprehensive HIV response skills.
HIV/AIDS is no longer a problem in Kenya.
While Kenya has made progress, HIV remains a significant public health challenge requiring sustained response in prevention, treatment and care.
You need to be a nurse or clinical officer to work in HIV management.
The diploma prepares students from non-clinical backgrounds for counselling, community mobilisation, programme support and adherence monitoring roles.
HIV/AIDS management has no career prospects.
Kenya's HIV response is funded by major donors including PEPFAR and Global Fund, creating employment opportunities in NGOs, healthcare facilities and government programmes.