Arts & Humanities

Diploma in Social Communication

The Diploma in Social Communication is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in media, communication, journalism and social advocacy. Offered at Tangaza University College through the Institute of Social Communication, the programme prepares students for communication roles in media organisations, churches, NGOs and community-based organisations.

The curriculum covers communication theory, media studies, journalism fundamentals, radio production, video production, digital media, social communication, media ethics, development communication, community media, public relations basics, research methods and practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical media production skills.

Kenya's media landscape and the growing need for development communication create demand for trained communicators who can produce multi-platform audio and visual content for social impact. The programme responds to the need for personnel who can use media and communication for social transformation, community engagement and faith-based communication.

The programme is delivered through blended online and face-to-face learning, lectures, media production workshops, studio sessions, field visits, research projects, group discussions and practicum. Students gain hands-on experience through supervised practicum in media organisations, communication departments or community-based organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as communication assistants, media producers, radio presenters, community media officers and social communication coordinators in media houses, churches, NGOs and community organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Social Communication or Communication and Media Studies.

Prospective students should have interest in media, communication and social advocacy. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in social communication and community media.

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

Communication Theory and Media Studies
Journalism Fundamentals and Media Ethics
Radio Production and Video Production
Digital Media and Social Communication
Development Communication and Community Media
Public Relations Basics and Media Advocacy
Research Methods and Communication Project
Practicum and Social Communication Practice

Modules

8 in the programme

Communication Theory and Media Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers communication theory, communication models, media studies, media history, media systems, media and society and communication research fundamentals.
Journalism Fundamentals and Media Ethics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers journalism fundamentals, news writing, reporting, editing, media ethics, press freedom, media law and journalistic standards.
Radio Production and Video Production
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers radio production, studio operations, audio editing, video production, camera operation, video editing, scripting and multi-platform content production.
Digital Media and Social Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers digital media, social media, online content creation, digital storytelling, social communication, communication for social change and faith-based communication.
Development Communication and Community Media
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers development communication, participatory communication, community media, community radio, communication for development and social transformation through media.
Public Relations Basics and Media Advocacy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers public relations basics, media relations, advocacy campaigns, communication strategies, stakeholder engagement and media advocacy for social causes.
Research Methods and Communication Project
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methods, communication research and a social communication project on a relevant topic, assessed through a written report and media product.
Practicum and Social Communication Practice
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A supervised practicum in a media organisation, communication department or community-based organisation, assessed through a practicum report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

Radio and Video Production
Focuses on media production skills for careers as media producers.
Development Communication
Specialises in communication for development for careers as community media officers.
Digital Media
Focuses on digital content creation and social media for careers in digital communication.
Faith-Based Communication
Specialises in church and faith-based media for careers as social communication coordinators.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on communication theory or media ethics, followed by a radio production workshop or video editing session. Afternoon sessions may include a studio practical, a community media field visit, or preparation for practicum. Students also work on media production projects and research assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme combines media production skills with social communication and development communication.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Social Communication or Communication and Media Studies.
The programme emphasises using media for social transformation and community engagement.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one institution, limiting study options.
Career opportunities may be limited compared to broader journalism or mass communication programmes.

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). No public univ offers Social Communication diploma.

Students can access HELB loans. Tangaza University College may offer internal bursaries and church-sponsored scholarships for social communication 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 Plain with a relevant 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 communication theory, journalism, media ethics and digital media.
Media Production Portfolio
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of radio productions, video projects, digital media content and multi-platform media products.
Communication Project
Project30% of the mark
A social communication project, assessed through a written report and a media product presentation.
Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised practicum in a media organisation or community-based organisation.

Accreditation

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

Accredited by

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

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Communication Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 150,000
Supports communication activities, produces content for newsletters and social media, assists with media relations and supports communication strategies in NGOs and churches.
Media Producer
Low demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 160,000
Produces radio and video content, develops multi-platform media products and supports media production in media houses and production companies.
Community Media Officer
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 145,000
Supports community media initiatives, facilitates participatory communication and produces community-focused content in community organisations and NGOs.
Social Communication Coordinator
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 155,000
Coordinates social communication programmes, manages faith-based media projects and supports communication for social change in churches and faith-based organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as communication assistants, media producers, radio presenters and community media officers in media houses, churches, NGOs and community organisations.

Tools you will learn

Adobe Premiere Pro
ToolPrimary
Adobe Audition
Tool

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Social communication is the same as journalism.
Social communication focuses on using media for social transformation, development communication and community engagement, which is broader than traditional journalism.
Social communication is only for church media.
While the programme has faith-based roots, social communication skills apply to NGOs, community organisations, development agencies and mainstream media.
A diploma in social communication has limited career prospects.
Graduates can work in media houses, NGOs, churches and community organisations, and can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Social Communication for broader opportunities.
Social communication is only about producing content.
Social communication encompasses communication theory, development communication, media advocacy, community engagement and research, not only content production.