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Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the Department of Educational Psychology in the School of Education. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on human learning, cognition, development, and behaviour in educational contexts, contributing to educational theory, assessment, and practice in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 336,600
Ksh 1,009,800 to Ksh 1,683,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 310,200
Ksh 930,600 to Ksh 1,551,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 336,600 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,009,800 to Ksh 1,683,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,200 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 9 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with advanced learning theories, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, educational measurement, research methodology, and educational interventions. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field and experimental research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to educational psychology.

Kenya's education system is undergoing significant reforms including the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), creating demand for educational psychology researchers who can inform policy on learning, assessment, and child development. The programme addresses national education priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can improve teaching, learning, and assessment practices based on psychological evidence.

Teaching methods include lectures, research seminars, field research in schools and educational institutions, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's educational psychology resources and conduct research in diverse educational settings across Kenya.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, educational psychology researchers, school psychologists, educational assessment specialists, and policy analysts in universities, KICD, KNEC, the Ministry of Education, and international education organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in educational psychology, psychology, education, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in educational psychology and learning sciences.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Learning and Cognition
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Educational Measurement
  • Research Methodology
  • Educational Interventions
  • Psychometrics
  • Special Needs Education
  • Thesis Research
  • Statistics for Education
  • Motivation and Learning

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Learning and Cognition

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced study of learning theories including cognitive, constructivist, and socio-cultural perspectives on learning and information processing

  • Advanced Learning Theories

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theories of learning and their application in education, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Advanced Learning Theories and Cognition

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced study of learning theories including constructivism, social learning theory, and cognitive science perspectives on learning and instruction

  • Developmental Psychology in Education

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Cognitive, social, and emotional development across childhood and adolescence with implications for educational practice

  • Cognitive Psychology in Education

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Cognitive processes in learning and instruction, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

  • Educational Measurement and Psychometrics

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Advanced measurement theory, test construction, psychometric methods, and large-scale educational assessment

  • Educational Assessment and Measurement

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Assessment methods and psychometric principles, covering assessment design, evaluation methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and quality assurance processes.

  • Educational Assessment and Psychometrics

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Advanced assessment theory, test construction, psychometric methods, and educational measurement including large-scale assessment

  • Research Methodology in Educational Psychology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Quantitative and qualitative research methods for studying educational phenomena including experimental and quasi-experimental designs

  • Special Needs Education Psychology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Psychology of learners with special needs, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

  • Motivation and Learning

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Research on motivation theories including self-efficacy, achievement goals, and intrinsic motivation in educational contexts

  • Psychology of Instruction

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Psychological principles in instructional design, covering psychological theories, assessment methods, and their application in clinical and research settings.

Specialisations

  • Academic Research in Education

    Specialization in Academic Research in Education, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.

  • Mental Health in Schools

    Specialization in Mental Health in Schools, preparing graduates for careers such as mental-health-counsellor.

  • School Psychology Practice

    Specialization in School Psychology Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as school-psychologist.

  • Curriculum Development Research

    Specialization in Curriculum Development Research, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.

  • Career Counselling Research

    Specialization in Career Counselling Research, preparing graduates for careers such as career-counselor-junior.

  • School Counselling Practice

    Specialization in School Counselling Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as school-counsellor.

  • Motivation and Learning

    Research on motivation in education

  • Cognitive Psychology

    Research on cognitive processes in learning

  • Special Needs Education

    Research on psychology of special needs learners

  • Educational Assessment

    Research on assessment and psychometrics

A day as a student

A typical day combines research on learning and cognition with data analysis from school-based studies, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend education research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KICD and schools for field research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Contributes to Kenya's CBC reform through research on learning and assessmentResearch may require ethical clearance for work with learners
Kenya's education reforms and inclusive education create demandField research in schools requires coordination with multiple stakeholders
Access to KNEC, KISE and educational assessment centresRequires strong background in both psychology and education
Diverse career paths in academia, policy, assessment, and consultancyLimited funding for educational psychology research in Kenya

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses
Public320k to 337k
320k at University of Nairobi337k at Kenyatta University
Private170k to 310k
170k at Kenya Methodist University310k at Kabarak 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

UoN 320K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke); KU 336,600/yr (ku.ac.ke). KeMU 170K; Kabarak 310K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and UNESCO fellowships for educational research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • UNESCO Fellowship

    Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

  • NRF Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development

  • African Union Research Grant

    Grant

    Education researchers in Africa

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • DAAD Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
Master's DegreeMEd or MA in Educational Psychology, Psychology, or Education from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, or related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 9 institutions
January 20279 institutions

Including Laikipia University, Machakos University, Egerton University.

May 20279 institutions

Including Laikipia University, Machakos University, Egerton University.

September 20279 institutions

Including Laikipia University, Machakos University, Egerton University.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before departmental panel

  • Oral Viva Voce

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Research Seminars

    Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

  • Special Needs Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Consulting on special needs education

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in psychology and education departments

  • Assessment Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Assessment design at KNEC and examination bodies

  • Educational Psychology Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Conducts educational research at KICD, research institutions, or international education organisations

  • University Lecturer (Educational Psychology)

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches educational psychology and conducts research in university education departments

  • School Psychologist

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Provides psychological assessment and support services in educational settings

  • Educational Assessment Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Develops and analyses educational assessments at KNEC, KICD, or international assessment organisations

  • Education Policy Analyst

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Analyses and advises on education policy for government and international organisations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, educational psychology researchers, school psychologists, and educational assessment specialists in universities, KICD, KNEC, the Ministry of Education, and international education organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Educational psychology is just about counselling students

    Educational psychology encompasses learning theories, cognitive development, educational measurement, psychometrics, motivation research, and evidence-based interventions for teaching and learning.

  • A PhD in educational psychology has limited career prospects

    Kenya's CBC reform creates demand for educational psychology researchers at universities, KICD, KNEC, and the Ministry of Education for assessment, curriculum design, and learning interventions.

  • Educational psychology research is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya's education reforms including CBC and competency-based assessment require research on child development, learning processes, and assessment, making educational psychology critical for national education development.

  • Educational psychology is only for those who want to be school counsellors

    Graduates work as researchers, assessment specialists, policy analysts, and university lecturers in diverse educational settings, not only as school counsellors.

Further reading

Read next