Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and at the University of Nairobi. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on religious education, theology, comparative religion, and the role of religion in education and society, contributing to religious literacy and ethical education in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced religious education theory, theology, comparative religion, religious ethics, curriculum studies, and research methodology. The programme is by thesis only at KU, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to religious education.

Kenya is a multi-religious society where religious education plays a key role in moral formation, social cohesion, and national values. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can develop religious education curricula, promote interfaith understanding, and inform education policy.

Teaching methods include seminars, theological and educational text analysis, curriculum research, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and UoN's Faculty of Education, and collaborate with KICD, the Kenya Catholic Secretariat, the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims, and interfaith organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, religious educators, curriculum developers, theology researchers, and interfaith dialogue specialists in universities, theological colleges, KICD, and faith-based organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in religious studies, religious education, theology, or related humanities fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in religious education.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 320,000
Private, up to: Ksh 310,200
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 10 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Religious Education Theory
Theology
Comparative Religion
Religious Ethics
Curriculum Studies
Research Methodology
African Traditional Religion
Thesis Research
Biblical Studies
Islamic Studies

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Religious Education Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of religious education including pedagogical approaches, curriculum theory, and the aims of religious education in pluralistic societies
Advanced Religious Education Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Religious education, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Theology and Religious Traditions
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theological foundations of Christianity, Islam, and African traditional religions in the Kenyan context
Philosophy of Religious Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Philosophy, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Comparative Religion
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Comparative study of world religions including beliefs, practices, and social expressions in Kenya and Africa
Comparative Religion and Education
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Comparative religion, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Religious Ethics and Moral Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Religious ethics including moral reasoning, virtue ethics, and the role of religion in moral and civic education
Curriculum Development in Religious Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Curriculum, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.
Curriculum Studies and Religious Education
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Curriculum development for religious education including content selection, pedagogy, and assessment in Kenyan schools
Moral and Values Education
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Moral education, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
African Traditional Religion and Culture
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of African traditional religions, indigenous knowledge, and their role in education and social values
Research Methods in Religious Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.

Specialisations

Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Work
Specialization in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Work, preparing graduates for careers such as chaplain.
Religious Studies Instruction
Specialization in Religious Studies Instruction, preparing graduates for careers such as religious-studies-instructor.
Religious Communications
Specialization in Religious Communications, preparing graduates for careers such as religious-communications-officer.
Academic Research in Education
Specialization in Academic Research in Education, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Religious Education Practice
Specialization in Religious Education Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as religious-educator-theology-teacher.
Interfaith Education
Research on interfaith education
Christian Education
Research on Christian education
Moral Education
Research on moral education
Islamic Education
Research on Islamic education

A day as a student

A typical day combines reading religious and educational texts with curriculum analysis, seminar discussions, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend theology and education research seminars, present findings at colloquia, and engage with KICD and faith-based organisations for curriculum research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Access to KICD and faith-based organisations
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per year
Research contributes to values education
Strong links with KICD, faith-based organisations, and interfaith bodies

Against it

Research funding for humanities and religious studies is limited
Funding for religious education research is limited
Religious education can be sensitive in diverse contexts
Academic positions may require publications and research grants

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

Public180k to 320k

180k at Moi University320k at University of Nairobi

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; KU 244,800/yr (mawese.com). Moi 180K unverified. KeMU 170K; Kabarak 310K/yr.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and World Council of Churches fellowships for religious education research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
World Council of Churches Fellowship
Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
NRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MA or MEd in Religious Studies, Religious Education, Theology, or related humanities field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Education, Theology, Religious Studies, or related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

5 components

Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Seminars and Essays
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

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

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

7 roles

University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in education faculties
Interfaith Education Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Interfaith at faith-based organisations
Religious Education Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research on religious education
University Lecturer (Religious Studies)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches religious education and conducts research in university humanities and education departments
Religious Studies Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Teaches and researches religion at colleges, universities, or interfaith organisations
Curriculum Developer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Develops religious education curriculum at KICD or faith-based educational institutions
Religious Educator / Theology Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Teaches religion and theology in universities, theological colleges, and secondary schools

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, religious educators, curriculum developers, and theology researchers in universities, theological colleges, KICD, and faith-based organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Religious education is just about teaching Bible or Quran
Religious education encompasses theology, comparative religion, ethics, curriculum theory, and the study of religion in society, requiring academic research training.
A PhD in religious education only leads to church work
Graduates work in universities, KICD, curriculum development, interfaith organisations, and research, not only in religious institutions.
Religious education is not relevant in a secular education system
Religious education contributes to moral and civic education, interfaith understanding, and national values in Kenya's pluralistic society.
Religious education is the same as theology
Religious education focuses on teaching and learning about religion in educational settings, while theology is the systematic study of religious beliefs and doctrines.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in philosophy of education