Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

The Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology is a two-year postgraduate programme designed to produce qualified counselling psychologists capable of providing professional mental health services across diverse settings in Kenya and beyond. The programme combines theoretical foundations with supervised practicum experience to ensure graduates are practice-ready.

Students engage with core psychological theories, research methodologies, and counselling techniques, building a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour and therapeutic interventions. The curriculum covers psychopathology, psychological assessment, group therapy, trauma counselling, and multicultural issues in counselling.

A distinctive feature is the emphasis on supervised practicum, where students complete a minimum of 270 hours of clinical practice under qualified practitioners. This hands-on training ensures graduates develop the practical competencies required for professional counselling in schools, hospitals, NGOs, and private practice.

The programme also requires students to complete 25 hours of personal therapy before beginning practicum, ensuring self-awareness and emotional readiness for therapeutic work. A research project or thesis component develops students' ability to conduct original research in counselling psychology.

Specialisation options allow students to focus on areas such as school counselling, community counselling, family therapy, substance abuse counselling, and rehabilitation counselling, tailoring their training to specific career interests.

Graduates are prepared for roles as counselling psychologists in healthcare settings, educational institutions, NGOs, corporate employee assistance programmes, and private practice. The programme's accreditation by the Commission for University Education ensures professional recognition across Kenya.

Skills Required

Counselling Techniques
Psychological Assessment
Research Methods in Psychology
Psychopathology Diagnosis
Group Therapy Facilitation
Trauma Counselling
Family and Marital Therapy
Professional Ethics in Counselling
Cross-Cultural Counselling
Addiction Counselling

Key Subjects

Theories and Techniques of Counselling
Research Methods in Psychology
Psychological Assessment
Psychopathology
Counselling Process and Professional Ethics
Group Therapy
Trauma and Crisis Counselling
Cross-Cultural Issues in Counselling
Family and Marital Therapy
Psychopharmacology

Certifications

Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association Registration
Counselling and Psychology Association of Kenya Membership

Specializations

School Counselling

Focuses on providing counselling services in educational settings, addressing student mental health, academic challenges, and developmental issues.

Community and Agency Counselling

Equips students to work in community-based organisations and agencies, addressing mental health needs at the community level.

Family Therapy and Systemic Practice

Covers theories and techniques of marital and family therapy, addressing relational dynamics and systemic interventions.

Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselling

Focuses on counselling individuals with chemical dependency and substance use disorders, including prevention and recovery strategies.

Rehabilitation Counselling

Addresses counselling for individuals with disabilities, delinquents, and those requiring rehabilitation support.

Trauma and Crisis Counselling

Develops skills in trauma-informed counselling, grief counselling, and crisis intervention for individuals experiencing traumatic events.

Health Counselling

Focuses on counselling special populations, geriatric counselling, and pastoral counselling in health-related contexts.

Career Counselling

Equips students with skills to guide individuals in career development, decision-making, and professional growth.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 218,400
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Weekend
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Theories and Techniques of Counselling
Research Methods in Psychology
Psychological Assessment
Psychopathology
Counselling Process and Professional Ethics
Group Therapy
Trauma and Crisis Counselling
Cross-Cultural Issues in Counselling
Family and Marital Therapy
Psychopharmacology

Modules

12 in the programme

Research Methods in Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in counselling psychology.
Theories and Techniques of Counselling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major counselling theories and their practical application in therapeutic settings.
Statistics in Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers statistical methods for behavioural science research, including data analysis and interpretation.
Psychological Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers principles and techniques of psychological testing, including standardised assessments and clinical evaluation tools.
Psychopathology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines mental disorders, their classification, diagnostic criteria, and treatment approaches.
Counselling Process, Skills and Professional Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers the counselling process, micro-skills, and ethical principles guiding professional practice.
Group Therapy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines theories and techniques of group therapy, including group dynamics, facilitation skills, and therapeutic processes.
Trauma, Crisis and Grief Counselling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Develops skills in trauma-informed counselling, crisis intervention, and grief support for individuals experiencing traumatic events.
Cross-Cultural Issues in Counselling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Examines cultural factors influencing counselling practice, including cultural competence and multicultural therapeutic approaches.
Neuro-Psychopharmacological Interventions
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the biological basis of behaviour and psychopharmacological interventions for mental health conditions.
Counselling Practicum
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Supervised clinical practicum requiring a minimum of 270 hours of practice at an approved counselling placement site.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original research project investigating a counselling psychology topic, culminating in a written report for examination.

Specialisations

School Counselling
Focuses on providing counselling services in educational settings, addressing student mental health, academic challenges, and developmental issues.
Community and Agency Counselling
Equips students to work in community-based organisations and agencies, addressing mental health needs at the community level.
Family Therapy and Systemic Practice
Covers theories and techniques of marital and family therapy, addressing relational dynamics and systemic interventions.
Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselling
Focuses on counselling individuals with chemical dependency and substance use disorders, including prevention and recovery strategies.
Rehabilitation Counselling
Addresses counselling for individuals with disabilities, delinquents, and those requiring rehabilitation support.
Trauma and Crisis Counselling
Develops skills in trauma-informed counselling, grief counselling, and crisis intervention for individuals experiencing traumatic events.
Health Counselling
Focuses on counselling special populations, geriatric counselling, and pastoral counselling in health-related contexts.
Career Counselling
Equips students with skills to guide individuals in career development, decision-making, and professional growth.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on counselling theories, psychopathology, or psychological assessment, followed by group discussions and case study analysis. Students practise counselling skills through role-play exercises and supervised skills laboratories. Those in their second year may spend significant time at practicum placement sites such as hospitals, schools, or counselling centres, conducting sessions under supervision. Research-focused students work on their thesis in the library or computer labs, analysing data from their practicum experiences.

The trade offs

In its favour

Substantial practicum component ensures graduates develop practical therapeutic competencies through supervised clinical experience.
Growing demand for mental health services in Kenya creates strong career prospects across multiple sectors.
Multiple specialisation tracks allow students to tailor their training to specific career interests and populations.
Offered at eight universities across Kenya, providing geographic and institutional choice.

Against it

Requirement of 25 hours of personal therapy before practicum adds time and cost beyond tuition fees.
Private university fees are significantly higher than public institutions, with limited fee data transparency from some institutions.
Emotional demands of counselling training and practicum can be psychologically taxing for students.
Professional registration requirements post-graduation add additional steps before independent practice.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public145k to 221k

145k at Pwani University221k at University of Nairobi

Private188k to 218k

188k at Daystar University218k at International Leadership 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 145K/yr(tuko). UoN 441K/2yr(uonbi). Daystar 94K/sem(studyinkenya). ILU 218,400/yr(tuko).

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, university-specific bursaries, and the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme for academically talented Africans facing economic barriers.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme
University-specific Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
Academically talented young Africans facing economic, social, or institutional barriers.
University-specific Bursaries
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Postgraduate students demonstrating financial need at participating universities.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Holders of a Pass degree may be considered with at least five years of relevant experience or a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field. Those with a Lower Second Class degree may also be considered with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education or Counselling with at least a credit level pass.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, assignments, and class presentations conducted throughout each semester to evaluate ongoing learning.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering all module content, constituting the majority of the module grade.
Practicum Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of supervised clinical practicum, including supervisor's evaluation and student's practicum report based on minimum 270 hours of practice.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research project assessed through written submission, demonstrating research competence in counselling psychology.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya. Professional registration with the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) is recommended for practising counselling psychologists.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association
Professional registration
Professional body for counselling psychologists in Kenya. Registration recommended for professional practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Counselling Psychologist
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides professional counselling services in healthcare settings, NGOs, or private practice. Entry-level KES 30,000-60,000/month, mid-level KES 60,000-100,000/month, senior-level KES 100,000-250,000/month.
School Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides counselling support to students in educational institutions, addressing academic, social, and emotional challenges. Salary varies by institution type.
Corporate EAP Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Works within corporate employee assistance programmes, providing mental health support and counselling to employees.
Substance Abuse Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 120,000
Specialises in counselling individuals with chemical dependency and substance use disorders in rehabilitation centres and healthcare facilities.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches psychology and counselling courses at universities, contributing to training the next generation of counselling professionals.
NGO Mental Health Officer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides mental health support and counselling services in humanitarian and development NGO programmes, particularly in crisis-affected communities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue roles as counselling psychologists in healthcare settings, educational institutions, NGOs, corporate employee assistance programmes, and private practice across Kenya's growing mental health sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software used for research data analysis in psychology and behavioural sciences.
Psychological Assessment Tools
InstrumentPrimary
Standardised assessment instruments for personality, intelligence, and mental health evaluation.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Used for data management, client record-keeping, and research data organisation.
Counselling Session Management Software
Software
Digital tools for managing counselling sessions, client records, and appointment scheduling.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Counselling psychology is the same as clinical psychology.
While both fields address mental health, counselling psychology focuses on therapeutic interventions for individuals experiencing life challenges, whilst clinical psychology emphasises diagnosis and treatment of severe mental disorders.
A master's degree is not necessary to practise counselling in Kenya.
Professional registration with KCPA and competitive employment increasingly require a master's level qualification, particularly for clinical and institutional roles.
Counselling psychologists only work in hospitals.
Graduates work in diverse settings including schools, NGOs, corporate employee assistance programmes, prisons, rehabilitation centres, and private practice.
Personal therapy is an optional extra.
Most accredited programmes require students to complete a minimum of 25 hours of personal therapy before beginning practicum, ensuring self-awareness and emotional readiness.
Counselling psychology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Growing awareness of mental health, increasing workplace wellness programmes, and expanding NGO interventions are driving demand for qualified counselling psychologists across the country.
The programme is purely theoretical.
The programme includes a substantial practicum component requiring a minimum of 270 hours of supervised clinical practice, ensuring graduates develop practical therapeutic competencies.