Diploma in Special Needs Education
The Diploma in Special Needs Education is offered at Kenyatta University's School of Education, delivered in both full-time and institutional-based (IBP) modes, and trains teachers to support learners with diverse learning needs and disabilities.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 98,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 196,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 88,650 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, school-based, with 2 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 11 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students study the 27-unit curriculum covering disability categories, inclusive education methods, individualised education planning, assistive technology, and behaviour management, plus a teaching practice component equivalent to 2 units. Skills RequiredInclusive Education MethodsIndividualised Education PlanningAssistive Technology UseBehaviour ManagementDisability Category KnowledgeKey SubjectsFoundations of Special Needs EducationInclusive EducationIndividualised Education PlanningAssistive TechnologyBehaviour ManagementTeaching PracticeCertificationsTeachers Service Commission (TSC) RegistrationSpecializationsLearning Disabilities SupportFocus on supporting learners with specific learning difficulties. Physical and Sensory Disabilities SupportFocus on supporting learners with physical, visual, or hearing impairments.
Kenya's push toward inclusive education under the Competency-Based Curriculum has increased demand for teachers specifically trained to support learners with disabilities in both special and mainstream schools.
Training combines classroom disability and inclusive-education theory with teaching practice placements in special needs settings.
Graduates work as special needs education teachers in special schools, inclusive mainstream classrooms, and resource centres, with progression into a Bachelor of Education (Special Needs) degree.
The programme suits current or aspiring teachers who want to specialise in supporting learners with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
What you study
6 subjects- Foundations of Special Needs Education
- Inclusive Education
- Individualised Education Planning
- Assistive Technology
- Behaviour Management
- Teaching Practice
Modules
10 in the programmeFoundations of Special Needs Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Core concepts and categories of special needs and disability for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Inclusive Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and practice of inclusive classroom teaching for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Inclusive Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Inclusive education principles as applied to special needs education principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Written and oral communication skills for professional workplace communication and effective correspondence.
Learning Disabilities
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Assessment of learning disabilities as applied to special needs education principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Individualised Education Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Developing tailored education plans for learners with disabilities for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Teaching Practice
Year 2Semester 22 creditsCore
Supervised teaching placement in a special needs education setting for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Assistive Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Technology tools supporting learners with disabilities for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Behaviour Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategies for managing classroom behaviour in special needs settings for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Teaching Practice
Year 3Semester 14 creditsCore
Supervised SNE teaching practice as applied to special needs education principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Specialisations
Learning Disabilities Support
Focus on supporting learners with specific learning difficulties, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Physical and Sensory Disabilities Support
Focus on supporting learners with physical, visual, or hearing impairments, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Inclusive Education
Focus on inclusive teaching strategies, classroom accommodation, universal design for learning, and inclusive classroom management within Kenyan education system.
Gifted and Talented Education
Focus on identification and support of gifted and talented learners, enrichment programmes, and differentiated instruction within Kenyan educational frameworks.
A day as a student
The 27-unit curriculum combines disability and inclusive-education theory with practical sessions on individualised education planning and assistive technology, plus a teaching practice placement in a special needs setting.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing demand as Kenya pushes toward inclusive education under the CBC. | Public sector placement in dedicated special needs roles can be competitive and limited by school need. |
| Institutional-based (IBP) mode allows serving teachers to specialise without leaving their posts. | Emotionally and physically demanding work supporting learners with significant needs. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 education 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
KISE 92K, KU 98K/yr pub. MKU 88.7K/yr priv (kenyaeducationguide.com, ku.ac.ke).
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; some schools sponsor serving teachers pursuing this diploma through the institutional-based mode.
Funding options
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Scholarships you could apply for
8 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- 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
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
A teaching certificate (P1) or equivalent qualification for the institutional-based programme (IBP) mode, for serving teachers.
When it next starts
Taught at 11 institutionsIncluding The East African University, Maasai Mara University, Gretsa University.
Including The East African University, Maasai Mara University, Gretsa University.
Including The East African University, Maasai Mara University, Gretsa University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across special needs education theory units.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Supervised assessment of classroom teaching performance in a special needs setting.
Final Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations.
Accreditation
Teachers Service Commission
Professional teacher registrationRequired
TSC registration is required to teach in Kenyan public schools.
Offered at Kenyatta University; TSC registration required for public school employment.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSpecial Needs Education Teacher (Special School)
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Teaches learners with disabilities at a dedicated special school.
Inclusive Education Support Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 44,000
Supports learners with disabilities within a mainstream inclusive classroom.
Resource Centre Educator
Low demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 42,000
Supports learners with disabilities at a specialised resource centre.
Special Needs Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Teaches learners with special needs, adapts curriculum materials, and supports inclusive education in special schools and mainstream schools in Kenya.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as special needs education teachers in special schools, inclusive mainstream classrooms, and resource centres.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Lesson planning, presentations, and educational documentation.
Google Classroom
Learning management
Online learning platform for course delivery and student engagement.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing for remote teaching and meetings.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Special needs education is only for teachers at dedicated special schools.
With Kenya's push toward inclusive education, many special needs-trained teachers work within mainstream schools supporting learners in inclusive classrooms.
Any qualified teacher can support learners with disabilities without additional training.
Effective support requires specific knowledge of disability categories, individualised planning, and assistive technology covered in this diploma.