Diploma in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Diploma in Marriage and Family Therapy is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in marriage counselling, family therapy, relationship dynamics and therapeutic interventions. Offered at Pan Africa Christian University through the PAC Institute, the programme prepares students for counselling roles focused on marital and family wellbeing.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 65,900 a year at a public institution, Ksh 131,800 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 121,100 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, evening, distance learning, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.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 marriage and family systems theory, theories of counselling, human sexuality within marriage, parenting and child development, family health and illness, lifespan development, psychological testing and assessment, conflict resolution in families, grief and trauma counselling, ethics in counselling, communication skills, research methods and practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical counselling skills.
Kenya faces increasing family and marital challenges including conflict, breakdown, domestic violence and mental health issues. The programme responds to the need for trained marriage and family therapists who can support couples and families through counselling, mediation and therapeutic interventions in churches, counselling centres and community organisations.
The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, role plays, counselling simulations, field visits, research projects, group discussions and practicum. Students gain hands-on experience in marriage and family counselling through supervised practicum at counselling centres, churches or community organisations.
Graduates pursue careers as marriage and family counsellors, relationship coaches, family support workers and counselling assistants in churches, counselling centres, NGOs and community organisations. They can also progress to a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at PAC University or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have interest in counselling, family dynamics and helping relationships. The programme is suitable for students and professionals seeking to develop therapeutic skills for supporting couples and families.
What you study
8 subjects- Marriage and Family Systems Theory
- Theories of Counselling and Therapeutic Interventions
- Human Sexuality, Parenting and Child Development
- Family Health, Illness and Lifespan Development
- Conflict Resolution, Grief and Trauma Counselling
- Psychological Testing, Assessment and Ethics
- Communication Skills and Research Methods
- Practicum and Marriage and Family Therapy Project
Modules
8 in the programmeMarriage and Family Systems Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers family systems theory, marriage and family dynamics, family life cycle, cultural perspectives on marriage, family structures and systemic approaches to family therapy.
Theories of Counselling and Therapeutic Interventions
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers major counselling theories, cognitive behavioural therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, emotionally focused therapy and therapeutic intervention techniques.
Human Sexuality, Parenting and Child Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers human sexuality within marriage, parenting styles, child development, adolescent development, parent-child relationships and family sexuality education.
Family Health, Illness and Lifespan Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers family health and illness, chronic illness impact on families, lifespan development theories, ageing and family caregiving, mental health in family contexts.
Conflict Resolution, Grief and Trauma Counselling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers conflict resolution in families, domestic conflict mediation, grief and loss counselling, trauma-informed family therapy and crisis intervention.
Psychological Testing, Assessment and Ethics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers psychological testing, family assessment tools, diagnostic assessment, ethics in marriage and family therapy, confidentiality and professional conduct.
Communication Skills and Research Methods
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers communication skills for therapists, active listening, therapeutic communication, research methods in counselling and counselling programme evaluation.
Practicum and Marriage and Family Therapy Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A supervised practicum at a counselling centre, church or community organisation, plus a marriage and family therapy project assessed through a report and case presentation.
Specialisations
Premarital Counselling
Focuses on premarital assessment and preparation for couples preparing for marriage.
Family Conflict Resolution
Specialises in mediation and conflict resolution for families experiencing disputes.
Grief and Trauma Family Therapy
Focuses on supporting families through grief, loss and traumatic experiences.
Parenting and Child Development
Specialises in parenting guidance and child development support for families.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on family systems theory or counselling approaches, followed by a role play exercise on conflict resolution or grief counselling. Afternoon sessions may include a case study discussion, a counselling simulation, or a workshop on psychological assessment. Students also work on therapy projects and prepare for supervised practicum.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Increasing awareness of family mental health has created demand for trained marriage and family therapists. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options. |
| Graduates can progress to a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at PAC University. | Advanced counselling roles may require a master's degree or professional certification beyond the diploma. |
| The programme combines counselling theory with supervised practicum, providing practical therapeutic skills. | — |
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
Private confirmed. MUT (public) Dip Marriage & Family Counseling TVET 32,950/sem=65,900/yr (mut.ac.ke).
Students can access HELB loans. PAC University may offer internal bursaries and church-based sponsorships 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
6 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
- 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
- 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 counselling-related studies from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Pan Africa Christian University, Murang'a University of Technology.
Including Pan Africa Christian University, Murang'a University of Technology.
Including Pan Africa Christian University, Murang'a University of Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering family systems theory, counselling theories and human sexuality.
Counselling Skills Practical Assessment
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of counselling skills through role plays, simulations and case study analysis.
Marriage and Family Therapy Project
Project40% of the mark
A project on a marriage and family therapy topic, assessed through a written report and case presentation.
Supervised Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised practicum at a counselling centre, church or community organisation.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered through the PAC Institute, registered under the TVET Act 2013. The programme is offered at Pan Africa Christian University.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered through the PAC Institute, registered under the TVET Act. The programme is offered at Pan Africa Christian University.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesMarriage and Family Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides marriage and family counselling to couples and families, supports relationship improvement and family functioning in churches and counselling centres.
Relationship Coach
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 150,000
Supports couples and individuals in relationship development, premarital preparation and relationship enrichment through coaching sessions.
Family Support Worker
Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 140,000
Supports families facing challenges, assists with parenting guidance, family conflict resolution and connects families to support services in NGOs and community organisations.
Counselling Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 130,000
Assists senior counsellors in providing therapy services, supports client intake, case documentation and therapy session preparation in counselling centres.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as marriage and family counsellors, relationship coaches and family support workers in churches, counselling centres and NGOs.
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
Marriage and family therapy is just giving advice to couples.
Marriage and family therapy involves evidence-based therapeutic interventions, family systems analysis, psychological assessment and professional counselling techniques.
You need to be married to be a marriage and family therapist.
Marriage and family therapists are trained professionals who may or may not be married; the key requirement is professional training and therapeutic skills.
Marriage counselling is only for couples in crisis.
Marriage and family therapy also supports premarital counselling, parenting guidance, family transitions and relationship enrichment, not only crisis intervention.
A diploma is not sufficient for counselling careers.
The diploma provides foundational counselling skills for entry-level roles, with opportunities to progress to a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy for advanced practice.