Arts & Humanities

Diploma in Sciences of Human Development

The Diploma in Sciences of Human Development is a programme that trains practitioners to contribute to social transformation through participation in human development projects. Offered at Tangaza University College, the programme provides skills to bring change at grassroots level, integrating social, economic, cultural and spiritual dimensions.

The curriculum covers human development theories, social transformation, community development, civic education, social economics, project management, cultural studies, spiritual dimensions of development, social research methods, advocacy and policy engagement, grassroots mobilisation and practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in facilitating development and civic education.

Kenya faces persistent challenges in community development, civic engagement and grassroots social transformation. The programme responds to the need for trained practitioners who can facilitate community development initiatives, influence community organisers and implement development projects at the grassroots level.

The programme is delivered through blended online and face-to-face learning, lectures, community engagement exercises, project workshops, research projects, group discussions and practicum. Students gain hands-on experience through supervised practicum in community development organisations, NGOs or faith-based development programmes.

Graduates pursue careers as community development officers, social transformation facilitators, civic education officers, project assistants and grassroots development workers in NGOs, community organisations, faith-based organisations and government departments. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in community development, social transformation and grassroots engagement. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in human development and social change.

Duration: 2 years
Private, up to: Ksh 56,400
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Blended
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Human Development Theories and Social Transformation
Community Development and Civic Education
Social Economics and Project Management
Cultural Studies and Spiritual Dimensions of Development
Social Research Methods and Advocacy
Grassroots Mobilisation and Policy Engagement
Research Project and Human Development
Practicum and Community Development Practice

Modules

8 in the programme

Human Development Theories and Social Transformation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers human development theories, development paradigms, social transformation, human development indices, capabilities approach and development ethics.
Community Development and Civic Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers community development principles, community mobilisation, civic education, citizen engagement, governance and democratic participation.
Social Economics and Project Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers social economics, economic justice, livelihoods, project management, project cycle, needs assessment, project planning and monitoring and evaluation.
Cultural Studies and Spiritual Dimensions of Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers cultural studies, cultural diversity, intercultural communication, spiritual dimensions of development, faith and development and holistic human development.
Social Research Methods and Advocacy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers social research methods, qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, advocacy strategies, policy engagement and social justice advocacy.
Grassroots Mobilisation and Policy Engagement
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers grassroots mobilisation, community organising, policy engagement, local governance, decentralisation and community-led advocacy.
Research Project and Human Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers a research project on a human development topic, assessed through a written report and presentation.
Practicum and Community Development Practice
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A supervised practicum in a community development organisation, NGO or faith-based development programme, assessed through a practicum report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

Community Development
Focuses on grassroots community development for careers as community development officers.
Civic Education
Specialises in civic education and governance for careers as civic education officers.
Social Transformation
Focuses on social change processes for careers as social transformation facilitators.
Project Management
Specialises in development project management for careers as project assistants.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on human development theories or community development, followed by a workshop on civic education or project management. Afternoon sessions may include a community engagement exercise, a research methods workshop, or preparation for practicum. Students also work on human development projects and research assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme integrates social, economic, cultural and spiritual dimensions of development.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development.
The programme emphasises grassroots engagement and practical community development skills.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one institution, limiting study options.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in the NGO sector, which can be competitive.

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

Private56k to 56k

56k at Tangaza University56k at Tangaza 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

Tangaza 28,200/sem=56,400/yr (tangaza.ac.ke). Niche Catholic course; no public equivalent.

Students can access HELB loans. Tangaza University College may offer internal bursaries and church-sponsored scholarships. Faith-based organisations may offer bursaries for development studies 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: Certificate in a relevant area of study, or KCSE D+ plus a relevant 1-year certificate, 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 human development theories, community development, social economics and cultural studies.
Coursework Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of community development proposals, civic education plans, project designs and group presentations.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A research project on a human development topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised practicum in a community development organisation or NGO.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Tangaza University College, Institute for Social Transformation.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Tangaza University College, Institute for Social Transformation.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 150,000
Facilitates community development initiatives, mobilises communities, supports grassroots projects and implements development programmes in NGOs and community organisations.
Social Transformation Facilitator
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 145,000
Facilitates social transformation processes, conducts civic education and supports community-led change initiatives in faith-based organisations and NGOs.
Civic Education Officer
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 140,000
Designs and delivers civic education programmes, supports citizen engagement and facilitates governance training in civil society organisations.
Project Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 155,000
Supports development project implementation, assists with project monitoring and evaluation and prepares project reports in NGOs and development organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as community development officers, social transformation facilitators, civic education officers and project assistants in NGOs, community organisations and faith-based organisations.

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Human development is the same as social work.
Human development focuses on social transformation, civic education and grassroots development, integrating social, economic, cultural and spiritual dimensions, which is broader than social work.
Sciences of human development is a science programme.
The programme uses 'sciences' in the sense of systematic study of human development, covering social sciences, development studies and community development, not natural sciences.
A diploma in human development has limited career prospects.
Graduates can work in NGOs, community organisations and faith-based organisations, and can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development for broader opportunities.
Human development is only about charity work.
Human development involves systematic social transformation, project management, advocacy, policy engagement and civic education, far beyond charity work.