Arts & Humanities

Diploma in School Chaplaincy

The Diploma in School Chaplaincy is a programme that equips students with knowledge, skills and attitudes to perform ministerial duties within educational institutions and churches. Offered at Africa International University, the programme prepares students for chaplaincy roles in schools, colleges and faith-based organisations.

The curriculum covers biblical foundations, theology, pastoral care, counselling skills, chaplaincy principles, youth ministry, spiritual formation, Christian education, ethics, worship and liturgy, crisis intervention, faith-based community development, research methods and practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in chaplaincy and pastoral ministry.

Schools and educational institutions in Kenya increasingly recognise the importance of spiritual and pastoral support for students, creating demand for trained chaplains who can provide guidance, counselling and spiritual leadership. The programme responds to the need for qualified personnel who can support the spiritual, moral and emotional wellbeing of students in educational settings.

The programme is delivered through regular classes, lectures, counselling workshops, pastoral practice sessions, field visits and practicum. Students gain hands-on experience through supervised chaplaincy practicum in schools, churches or faith-based organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as school chaplains, youth pastors, pastoral assistants and Christian education coordinators in schools, churches and faith-based organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Theology or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in pastoral ministry, counselling and spiritual formation. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in school chaplaincy and pastoral ministry.

Duration: 2 years
Private, up to: Ksh 107,600
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: 15 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Biblical Foundations and Theology
Pastoral Care and Counselling Skills
Chaplaincy Principles and Youth Ministry
Spiritual Formation and Christian Education
Ethics, Worship and Liturgy
Crisis Intervention and Faith-Based Community Development
Research Methods and Chaplaincy Project
Practicum and Chaplaincy Practice

Modules

8 in the programme

Biblical Foundations and Theology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers biblical foundations, Old and New Testament surveys, basic theology, Christian doctrine and biblical interpretation for chaplaincy contexts.
Pastoral Care and Counselling Skills
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers pastoral care principles, basic counselling skills, active listening, pastoral counselling, grief counselling and pastoral support for students.
Chaplaincy Principles and Youth Ministry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers chaplaincy principles, school chaplaincy models, youth ministry, youth development, adolescent psychology and engaging young people in faith.
Spiritual Formation and Christian Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers spiritual formation, personal spirituality, Christian education methods, discipleship, mentoring and faith development in educational settings.
Ethics, Worship and Liturgy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Christian ethics, moral reasoning, worship planning, liturgy, sacraments, leading worship in school settings and pastoral liturgy.
Crisis Intervention and Faith-Based Community Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers crisis intervention, trauma response, supporting students in crisis, faith-based community development and school-community engagement.
Research Methods and Chaplaincy Project
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methods, qualitative research and a chaplaincy project on a relevant topic, assessed through a written report and presentation.
Practicum and Chaplaincy Practice
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A supervised chaplaincy practicum in a school, church or faith-based organisation, assessed through a practicum report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

School Chaplaincy
Focuses on pastoral care in educational settings for careers as school chaplains.
Youth Ministry
Specialises in youth pastoral work for careers as youth pastors.
Pastoral Counselling
Focuses on counselling skills for pastoral contexts for careers as pastoral assistants.
Christian Education
Specialises in faith formation and discipleship for careers as Christian education coordinators.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on biblical foundations or pastoral care, followed by a counselling skills workshop. Afternoon sessions may include a chaplaincy practice session, a worship and liturgy workshop, or preparation for practicum. Students also work on chaplaincy projects and research assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme equips students with both pastoral and counselling skills for school settings.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Theology or related degrees.
The programme is suitable for those called to serve in educational and faith-based settings.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
Direct career opportunities are limited and may require further study for broader prospects.

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 courses

Private93k to 108k

93k at Africa International University108k at Kabarak University

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

AIU 93,050/yr (thekenyatimes); Kabarak 30K/sem (kabarak.ac.ke). No public univ offers chaplaincy diploma.

Students can access HELB loans. Africa International University may offer internal bursaries and church-sponsored scholarships for chaplaincy 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: KCSE D- with a recognised relevant post-secondary certificate, or KCE/EACE Division III, 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 biblical foundations, pastoral care, chaplaincy principles and spiritual formation.
Coursework Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of pastoral care reflections, counselling practice reports, chaplaincy case studies and group presentations.
Chaplaincy Project
Project40% of the mark
A chaplaincy project on a relevant topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised chaplaincy practicum in a school, church or faith-based organisation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Africa International University.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Africa International University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

School Chaplain
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 140,000
Provides pastoral care, spiritual guidance, counselling and worship leadership in schools and educational institutions.
Youth Pastor
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 135,000
Leads youth ministry programmes, provides pastoral support to young people and coordinates youth activities in churches and parachurch organisations.
Pastoral Assistant
Low demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 130,000
Supports pastoral activities, assists with church programmes, provides pastoral care and supports faith community engagement in churches.
Christian Education Coordinator
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 145,000
Coordinates Christian education programmes, develops discipleship materials and supports faith formation in churches and schools.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as school chaplains, youth pastors, pastoral assistants and Christian education coordinators in schools, churches and faith-based organisations.

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

School chaplaincy is only for ordained ministers.
School chaplains provide pastoral support, counselling and spiritual guidance, and do not necessarily require ordination. The diploma programme equips students with the necessary skills.
Chaplains only lead prayers in schools.
School chaplains provide pastoral care, counselling, crisis intervention, moral guidance and support student wellbeing, far beyond leading prayers.
A diploma in school chaplaincy has no career prospects.
Many schools in Kenya employ chaplains, and graduates can also work in churches, youth ministries and faith-based organisations. They can progress to a Bachelor of Theology for broader opportunities.
Chaplaincy is only for Christians.
While this programme has a Christian focus, chaplaincy principles of pastoral care and counselling are applicable across different faith traditions and institutional settings.