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 short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 100,784 for the whole course.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 1.5 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeIslamic 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| The programme integrates Islamic principles with conventional psychology, providing culturally relevant counselling skills. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options. |
| Graduates can serve both Muslim and broader communities, providing diverse career opportunities. | Career opportunities may be limited compared to broader counselling psychology qualifications. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 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 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 (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 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
Recognised certificate in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Islamic University of Kenya.
Including Islamic University of Kenya.
Including Islamic 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 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
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 rolesIslamic 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- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
Certifications
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.