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Arts & Humanities

Diploma in Wholistic Community Development

The Diploma in Wholistic Community Development is a programme about working with communities to improve their living conditions. Offered at Africa International University, the programme empowers individuals and communities to initiate changes that lead to holistic wellbeing — spiritual, physical, economic and social.

The curriculum covers sustainable development, participatory monitoring and evaluation, training and facilitation skills, community development strategies, disaster preparedness and management, human conflict and peace building, theology of development, mission to the marginalised, participatory community development, gender and affirmative action, management of community-based organisations, social statistics, social integration of the physically handicapped, project planning and management, research methodology and internship. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in wholistic community development.

The programme responds to the need for trained community development workers who can address the multifaceted challenges facing communities in Kenya and beyond. It provides a unique wholistic approach that integrates spiritual, social, economic and physical dimensions of community transformation.

The programme is delivered through lectures, remote teaching via Microsoft Teams, community field visits, participatory workshops, case studies, group projects and internship. Students gain hands-on experience through community development projects and supervised internship in community-based organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as community development workers, project managers, community health evangelists, social workers and transformational leaders in NGOs, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations and development agencies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in community development, social transformation and holistic ministry. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers that combine development work with spiritual and social engagement.

Duration
2 years
Public, up to
Ksh 72,000
Private, up to
Ksh 93,050
Job market
Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode
Full-time, Remote Teaching, Evening, Weekend
Attachment
3 months
Average class
20 students
Award
Diploma

What you study

7 subjects
  • Introduction to Sustainable Development and Community Development Strategies
  • Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation and Training Facilitation
  • Disaster Preparedness and Management and Human Conflict and Peace Building
  • Theology of Development and Mission to the Marginalised
  • Participatory Community Development and Gender and Affirmative Action
  • Management of Community-Based Organisations and Project Planning
  • Social Statistics and Research Methodology and Internship

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Introduction to Sustainable Development and Community Development Strategies

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers sustainable development concepts, community development strategies and approaches, community entry, needs assessment and development theories.

  • Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation and Training Facilitation

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers participatory monitoring and evaluation, M&E frameworks, indicators, training and facilitation skills for capacity building and adult learning methods.

  • Disaster Preparedness and Management and Human Conflict and Peace Building

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers disaster preparedness, disaster management, humanitarian response, human conflict, conflict resolution, peace building and reconciliation.

  • Theology of Development and Mission to the Marginalised

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers theology of development, biblical perspectives on development, mission to the marginalised, social justice and the church's role in community transformation.

  • Participatory Community Development and Gender and Affirmative Action

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers participatory community development, PRA tools, community mobilisation, gender and affirmative action in development and inclusive development practices.

  • Management of Community-Based Organisations and Project Planning

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers management of community-based organisations, organisational governance, project planning and management, proposal writing and resource mobilisation.

  • Social Statistics and Research Methodology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers social statistics, data collection, data analysis, research methodology, research design and a community development research project.

  • Internship and Social Integration

    Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore

    Covers social integration of the physically handicapped and a supervised internship in a community-based organisation, NGO or development agency, assessed through an internship report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

  • Project Management

    Focuses on project planning and management for careers as project managers in development organisations.

  • Community Health

    Specialises in community health and health evangelism for careers as community health evangelists.

  • Peace Building

    Focuses on conflict resolution and peace building for careers in peace and reconciliation work.

  • Social Work

    Specialises in social integration and community support for careers as social workers.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on sustainable development or community development strategies, followed by a participatory workshop on facilitation skills or monitoring and evaluation. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to a community project, a case study on peace building, or preparation for internship. Students also work on community development projects and research assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

  • The programme offers a unique wholistic approach integrating spiritual, social, economic and physical dimensions.
  • Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies at AIU.
  • Community development skills are in demand across NGOs, CBOs and faith-based organisations.

Against it

  • The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
  • Community development careers may offer lower salaries compared to corporate sector roles.

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
Public72k to 72k
72k at Pwani University72k at Pwani University
Private56k to 93k
56k at Tangaza University93k at Africa International 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

Pwani 72K public. Tangaza 56K, AIU 93K/yr (studyinkenya, tangaza.ac.ke, nyongesasande).

Students can access HELB loans. AIU may offer internal bursaries. Faith-based organisations and development partners may sponsor students pursuing community development.

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 equivalent.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Written examination30% of the mark

    Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering sustainable development, monitoring and evaluation, disaster management and community development strategies.

  • Community Development Assignments

    Assignment30% of the mark

    Assessment of community development project proposals, facilitation exercises, case studies and group presentations.

  • Research Project

    Project40% of the mark

    A community development research project, assessed through a written report and presentation.

  • Internship Report

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Assessment of performance during supervised internship in a community-based organisation or NGO.

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

  • Community Development Worker

    Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 165,000

    Works with communities to identify needs, design development programmes, facilitate community initiatives and support holistic transformation in NGOs and community-based organisations.

  • Project Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Manages community development projects, oversees project implementation, monitors progress, manages budgets and coordinates stakeholders in development organisations.

  • Community Health Evangelist

    Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Promotes community health, facilitates health education, supports disease prevention programmes and integrates spiritual and physical wellbeing in community health initiatives.

  • Social Worker

    Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Supports vulnerable individuals and families, facilitates access to social services, conducts community assessments and advocates for social justice in community organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as community development workers, project managers, community health evangelists and social workers in NGOs, community-based organisations and faith-based organisations.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

  • Wholistic community development is the same as general community development.

    Wholistic community development integrates spiritual, physical, economic and social dimensions, providing a more comprehensive approach to community transformation than general development programmes.

  • A diploma in community development has limited career prospects.

    Community development skills are in demand across NGOs, CBOs, faith-based organisations and government. Graduates can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies.

  • Community development is just about giving handouts.

    Community development involves empowerment, capacity building, participatory planning and sustainable development, helping communities identify and solve their own problems.

  • Wholistic development is only for religious organisations.

    While the programme has a theological dimension, the development skills and approaches are applicable in secular NGOs, government and community-based organisations.

Related courses

Further reading

Keep this

Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Wholistic Community Development are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.

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