Diploma in Youth Ministry
The Diploma in Youth Ministry and Catechesis is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills for ministering to young people in church and community settings. Offered at Tangaza University College through the Institute of Youth Studies, the programme prepares students for youth ministry, catechesis and pastoral work with young people.
The curriculum covers youth ministry foundations, adolescent development, catechesis and faith formation, youth pastoral care, youth spirituality, Christian leadership, youth counselling, youth evangelisation, social communication for youth ministry, youth project management, research methods and practicum. Students develop both theological knowledge and practical skills for working with young people.
The programme responds to the need for trained youth ministers who can accompany young people in their faith journey, support their holistic development and guide them through the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood. It provides a solid foundation for those serving in parishes, schools, youth movements and faith-based organisations.
The programme is delivered through face-to-face lectures, blended online and in-person learning, pastoral workshops, retreat facilitation, field visits, group discussions and practicum. Students gain practical experience through supervised ministry practicum in parishes, schools or youth organisations.
Graduates pursue careers as youth ministers, youth pastoral coordinators, catechists, chaplaincy assistants and youth programme coordinators in parishes, dioceses, schools and faith-based organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry at Tangaza University College.
Prospective students should have interest in youth ministry, adolescent development and faith formation. The programme is suitable for both religious and lay persons seeking to serve young people in church and community settings.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Private, up to
- Ksh 93,050
- Job market
- Low
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time, Blended
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
7 subjects- Youth Ministry Foundations and Adolescent Development
- Catechesis and Faith Formation
- Youth Pastoral Care and Youth Counselling
- Youth Spirituality and Christian Leadership
- Youth Evangelisation and Social Communication
- Youth Project Management and Research Methods
- Practicum and Youth Ministry Practice
Modules
7 in the programmeYouth Ministry Foundations and Adolescent Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers youth ministry foundations, biblical and theological foundations of youth ministry, adolescent development, developmental psychology, youth identity formation and youth culture.
Catechesis and Faith Formation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers catechesis, faith formation, catechetical methods, catechism, sacramental preparation, youth faith development and models of Christian initiation.
Youth Pastoral Care and Youth Counselling
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers youth pastoral care, pastoral accompaniment, youth counselling basics, active listening, crisis intervention, grief support and referral skills.
Youth Spirituality and Christian Leadership
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers youth spirituality, spiritual formation, prayer and contemplation, Christian leadership, servant leadership, youth leadership development and team building.
Youth Evangelisation and Social Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers youth evangelisation, new evangelisation, social communication, media in youth ministry, digital ministry, social media for evangelisation and youth outreach.
Youth Project Management and Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers youth project management, programme planning, event management, budgeting, research methods and a youth ministry research project.
Practicum and Youth Ministry Practice
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A supervised practicum in a parish, school, youth movement or faith-based organisation, assessed through a practicum report, ministry portfolio and supervisor evaluation.
Specialisations
Catechesis
Focuses on faith formation and sacramental preparation for careers as catechists.
Youth Pastoral Care
Specialises in counselling and pastoral accompaniment for careers as youth pastoral coordinators.
Youth Evangelisation
Focuses on evangelisation and digital ministry for careers in youth outreach.
Youth Leadership Development
Specialises in leadership training and programme management for careers as youth programme coordinators.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on adolescent development or catechesis, followed by a pastoral workshop on youth counselling or retreat facilitation. Afternoon sessions may include a youth ministry case study, a social communication exercise, or preparation for practicum. Students also work on youth ministry projects and reflection papers.
The trade offs
In its favour
- The programme is offered at the Institute of Youth Studies, a specialised institute for youth ministry training.
- Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry at Tangaza University College.
- The programme combines theological depth with practical youth ministry skills.
Against it
- The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
- Career opportunities are primarily within church and faith-based organisations.
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
Tangaza 56,400 & AIU 93,050/yr (tangaza.ac.ke, thekenyatimes). No public youth ministry diploma.
Students can access HELB loans. Religious orders and dioceses may sponsor their members. Tangaza University College may offer internal bursaries.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB 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 from a recognised institution in a relevant field.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering youth ministry foundations, adolescent development, catechesis and pastoral care.
Pastoral Reflection Papers
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of pastoral reflection papers, catechetical lesson plans, counselling case studies and group presentations.
Youth Ministry Project
Project40% of the mark
A youth ministry research or programme design project, assessed through a written report and presentation.
Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised practicum in a parish, school or youth organisation.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Tangaza University College, Institute of Youth Studies.
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 Youth Studies.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesYouth Minister
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 140,000
Coordinates youth ministry programmes, leads youth faith formation, organises retreats and youth events and provides pastoral accompaniment to young people in parishes and dioceses.
Youth Pastoral Coordinator
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 145,000
Coordinates youth pastoral activities at diocesan or parish level, supports youth leaders, organises catechesis programmes and manages youth ministry initiatives.
Catechist
Low demandKsh 23,000 to Ksh 130,000
Teaches catechesis, prepares youth for sacraments, supports faith formation programmes and accompanies young people in their Christian initiation in parishes and schools.
Youth Programme Coordinator
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 150,000
Designs and manages youth programmes, coordinates youth activities, facilitates leadership training and supports youth development in faith-based organisations.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as youth ministers, youth pastoral coordinators, catechists and youth programme coordinators in parishes, dioceses, schools and faith-based organisations.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Youth ministry is just about organising youth events.
Youth ministry involves adolescent development, faith formation, pastoral care, counselling, evangelisation and spiritual accompaniment, requiring comprehensive training.
A diploma in youth ministry has no career prospects.
Graduates serve as youth ministers, catechists and youth coordinators in parishes, dioceses and schools. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry.
Youth ministry is only for young people.
Youth ministry is for anyone called to accompany young people in their faith journey, regardless of age. The programme develops the skills needed to support youth effectively.
Catechesis is just about teaching doctrine.
Catechesis involves faith formation, spiritual accompaniment, experiential learning and helping young people integrate faith into daily life.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Youth Ministry are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.