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 short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 107,600 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, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeBiblical 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| The programme equips students with both pastoral and counselling skills for school settings. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Theology or related degrees. | Direct career opportunities are limited and may require further study for broader prospects. |
| The programme is suitable for those called to serve in educational and faith-based settings. | — |
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
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 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- 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
KCSE D- with a recognised relevant post-secondary certificate, or KCE/EACE Division III, or equivalent qualification.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Africa International University, Kabarak University.
Including Kabarak University.
Including Africa International University, Kabarak University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
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 rolesSchool 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
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.