Diploma in Pastoral Theology
The Diploma in Pastoral Theology is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in pastoral ministry, biblical studies, theological reflection and church leadership. Offered at the University of Eastern Africa Baraton and Great Lakes University of Kisumu, the programme prepares students for pastoral roles in churches, parachurch organisations and faith-based ministries.
The curriculum covers biblical studies, Old and New Testament theology, systematic theology, church history, pastoral care and counselling, homiletics and preaching, worship and liturgy, Christian ethics, church administration, mission and evangelism, spiritual formation, research methods and field ministry practicum. Students develop both theological knowledge and practical ministry skills.
The Christian church in Africa continues to grow, with increasing demand for trained pastoral leaders who can provide spiritual guidance, pastoral care and leadership in churches and faith-based organisations. The programme responds to the need for personnel equipped with theological training and pastoral skills for effective ministry.
The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, ministry simulations, field visits to churches and ministry settings, research projects, group discussions and field ministry practicum. Students gain hands-on experience in pastoral work through supervised field ministry in churches, chaplaincies or faith-based organisations.
Graduates pursue careers as pastors, church workers, chaplains, ministry coordinators and Christian educators in churches, schools, hospitals and faith-based NGOs. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Theology or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have a calling to Christian ministry and interest in pastoral work. The programme is suitable for students seeking to serve in pastoral roles within churches and faith-based organisations.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Private, up to
- Ksh 60,000
- Job market
- Low
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time, Part-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
8 subjects- Biblical Studies and Old and New Testament Theology
- Systematic Theology and Church History
- Pastoral Care, Counselling and Homiletics
- Worship, Liturgy and Christian Ethics
- Church Administration and Mission
- Spiritual Formation and Christian Education
- Research Methods and Ministry Project
- Field Ministry Practicum
Modules
8 in the programmeBiblical Studies and Old Testament Theology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Old Testament studies, biblical interpretation, exegesis, Old Testament theology, historical context and biblical languages introduction.
Systematic Theology and Church History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers systematic theology, Christian doctrines, church history, Reformation history, African church history and contemporary theological issues.
Pastoral Care, Counselling and Homiletics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers pastoral care, pastoral counselling, grief and crisis ministry, homiletics, sermon preparation, preaching practice and communication skills.
Worship, Liturgy and Christian Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers worship and liturgy, sacraments, Christian ethics, moral theology, social justice and ethical decision-making in ministry contexts.
Church Administration and Mission
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers church administration, church governance, financial management for churches, mission and evangelism, church growth and community outreach.
Spiritual Formation and Christian Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers spiritual formation, personal spirituality, prayer and retreat, Christian education, discipleship methods and small group leadership.
Research Methods and Ministry Project
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methods for ministry, project design, needs assessment and a ministry project assessed through a report and presentation.
Field Ministry Practicum
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A supervised field ministry practicum in a church, chaplaincy or faith-based organisation, assessed through a practicum report and supervisor evaluation.
Specialisations
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Focuses on pastoral counselling and care for careers supporting individuals and families in crisis.
Preaching and Homiletics
Specialises in sermon preparation and preaching for careers as preaching pastors.
Church Administration
Focuses on church governance and management for careers as church administrators.
Christian Education
Specialises in discipleship and Christian education for careers as Christian educators.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on biblical studies or systematic theology, followed by a discussion on pastoral care or homiletics. Afternoon sessions may include a case study on church administration, a workshop on worship and liturgy, or a field visit to a church for ministry observation. Students also work on ministry projects and prepare for field practicum.
The trade offs
In its favour
- The programme combines theological depth with practical ministry skills, preparing students for real-world pastoral work.
- Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Theology or related degree programmes.
- Both universities offer church-based sponsorships and bursaries for theology students.
Against it
- Ministry careers typically offer modest financial compensation.
- The programme is offered at only two universities, limiting study location options.
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
Kabarak 60K, KBTC 33K/yr confirmed. No public university offers pastoral theology diploma. Public: null.
Students can access HELB loans. Both universities may offer church-based sponsorships and internal bursaries for theology students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB 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
- Certificate in theology or ministry-related field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering biblical studies, theology, church history and pastoral care.
Coursework Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of sermon preparation, case studies, ministry reflections and group presentations on pastoral topics.
Ministry Project
Project40% of the mark
A ministry project on a pastoral topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Field Ministry Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised field ministry practicum in a church, chaplaincy or faith-based organisation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Eastern Africa Baraton and Great Lakes University of Kisumu.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Eastern Africa Baraton and Great Lakes University of Kisumu.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesPastor
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides spiritual leadership, preaches, conducts sacraments, offers pastoral care and manages church programmes in local congregations.
Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 140,000
Provides spiritual support in schools, hospitals, prisons or military settings, offering pastoral care and counselling to individuals in institutional contexts.
Church Worker
Moderate demandKsh 23,000 to Ksh 120,000
Supports church ministry, leads small groups, assists with pastoral care, coordinates church programmes and supports community outreach.
Ministry Coordinator
Low demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coordinates ministry programmes in churches or faith-based NGOs, manages events, supports volunteers and oversees ministry activities.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as pastors, chaplains, church workers and ministry coordinators in churches, schools, hospitals and faith-based organisations.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Pastoral theology is just about preaching.
Pastoral theology encompasses biblical studies, counselling, church administration, ethics, worship leadership and community engagement, alongside preaching.
You need to be ordained to study pastoral theology.
The diploma is open to anyone with a calling to ministry; ordination is a separate process that may follow theological training.
Pastoral theology has no career prospects outside the church.
Graduates work in chaplaincies, schools, hospitals, NGOs and faith-based organisations, not only in local churches.
A diploma in pastoral theology is not a serious academic qualification.
The diploma provides foundational theological training and serves as a pathway to a Bachelor of Theology for advanced ministry and academic roles.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Pastoral Theology are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.