Social Sciences

Diploma in Islamic Psychology

The Diploma in Islamic Psychology is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in psychology from an Islamic perspective, integrating conventional psychological theories with Islamic principles of human nature, mental health and counselling. Offered at the Islamic University of Kenya, the programme prepares students for counselling and community support roles in Muslim communities and broader society.

The curriculum covers Islamic perspectives on human nature (Insan), conventional psychology theories, Islamic counselling approaches, mental health in Islam, marriage and family counselling from an Islamic perspective, grief and trauma counselling, child and adolescent psychology, Islamic ethics in counselling, research methods, communication skills and industrial attachment. Students develop both psychological and Islamic counselling skills.

Kenya's Muslim community has growing demand for counsellors who understand Islamic values and can provide culturally appropriate mental health support. The programme responds to the need for trained personnel who can address psychological issues within an Islamic framework, supporting individuals, families and communities.

The programme is delivered through lectures, counselling practicum, case studies, field visits, research projects, group discussions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in counselling, mental health support and community outreach through attachment at counselling centres, hospitals, mosques or community organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as Islamic counsellors, community support workers, family counselling assistants, mental health assistants and youth workers in counselling centres, hospitals, religious organisations and community-based organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in psychology, counselling and Islamic studies. The programme is suitable for students seeking counselling careers with an Islamic perspective, serving both Muslim and broader communities.

Duration: 1.5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Islamic Perspectives on Human Nature (Insan) and Psychology
Conventional Psychology Theories and Mental Health
Islamic Counselling Approaches and Ethics
Marriage, Family and Child Counselling in Islam
Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling
Adolescent Psychology and Youth Counselling
Research Methods and Communication Skills
Industrial Attachment and Counselling Project

Modules

6 in the programme

Islamic Perspectives on Human Nature and Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Islamic concepts of human nature (Insan), soul (Ruh), heart (Qalb), self (Nafs), Islamic epistemology and the integration of Islamic and conventional psychology.
Conventional Psychology Theories and Mental Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers major psychology theories, cognitive and behavioural psychology, developmental psychology, mental health disorders and mental health systems.
Islamic Counselling Approaches and Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers Islamic counselling principles, prophetic counselling approaches, Islamic ethics in counselling, confidentiality, boundaries and culturally sensitive practice.
Marriage, Family and Child Counselling in Islam
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers Islamic perspectives on marriage and family, marital counselling, family therapy, child and adolescent psychology, parenting in Islam and child counselling.
Grief, Trauma and Crisis Counselling
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Covers grief and loss, trauma counselling, crisis intervention, disaster response, Islamic perspectives on suffering and spiritual coping mechanisms.
Research Methods, Communication and Industrial Attachment
Year 1Semester 36 creditsCore
Covers research methods, communication skills, plus a three-month industrial attachment at a counselling centre, hospital or community organisation, and a counselling project.

Specialisations

Family and Marriage Counselling
Focuses on marital and family counselling from an Islamic perspective for careers as family counselling assistants.
Youth and Adolescent Counselling
Specialises in youth counselling and mentoring for careers as youth workers.
Grief and Trauma Counselling
Focuses on grief, trauma and crisis counselling for careers in trauma support.
Community Mental Health
Specialises in community mental health outreach for careers as community support workers.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on Islamic perspectives on human nature or psychology theories, followed by a counselling practicum session. Afternoon sessions may include a case study on family counselling in Islam, a group discussion on grief counselling, or a workshop on Islamic ethics in counselling. Students also work on counselling projects and prepare for industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme integrates Islamic principles with conventional psychology, providing culturally relevant counselling skills.
Graduates can serve both Muslim and broader communities, providing diverse career opportunities.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or related degree programmes.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
Career opportunities may be limited compared to broader counselling psychology qualifications.

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 TVET institutions (KUCCPS rate)67k at TVET institutions (KUCCPS rate)

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 (KUCCPS rate). Private: unverified - no Kenyan institution found.

Students can access HELB loans. IUK may offer internal bursaries and Islamic charitable funds for deserving 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: Recognised certificate in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering Islamic psychology, counselling theories and mental health.
Counselling Practicum Assessment
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of counselling skills through role plays, supervised counselling sessions and case presentations.
Counselling Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A research project on an Islamic psychology or counselling topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a counselling centre, hospital or community organisation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the Islamic University of Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the Islamic University of Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Islamic Counsellor
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides counselling services integrating Islamic principles and conventional psychology, supporting individuals and families in Muslim communities and beyond.
Community Support Worker
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 120,000
Supports community mental health initiatives, conducts outreach and links community members to counselling and mental health services.
Family Counselling Assistant
Low demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 130,000
Assists with marital and family counselling, supporting couples and families through conflicts and life transitions from an Islamic perspective.
Youth Worker
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 120,000
Supports youth development programmes in religious and community organisations, providing guidance, mentoring and counselling to young people.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as Islamic counsellors, community support workers and family counselling assistants in counselling centres, religious organisations and community-based organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Islamic psychology is not real psychology.
Islamic psychology integrates conventional psychological theories with Islamic principles, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding human behaviour and mental health.
Islamic counselling is only for Muslims.
While rooted in Islamic principles, the counselling skills acquired are applicable across diverse populations, and graduates can serve both Muslim and non-Muslim clients.
Psychology is not recognised in Islamic tradition.
Islamic scholars have studied human behaviour, mental health and counselling for centuries, with rich traditions in Islamic psychology and spiritual healing.
There are no career opportunities in Islamic psychology.
Kenya's Muslim community and broader society need culturally competent counsellors, with opportunities in counselling centres, hospitals, schools and community organisations.