Health Sciences

Master of Clinical Psychology

The Master of Clinical Psychology is a postgraduate programme offered at three Kenyan universities: the University of Nairobi, United States International University Africa, and Daystar University. The programme prepares graduates for professional practice in clinical psychology, providing mental health services to individuals, couples, groups, institutions, and society at large.

The programme follows a practitioner model, combining theoretical foundations with practical clinical training. Students develop competencies in psychological assessment, diagnosis, evidence-based psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and research. The curriculum addresses contemporary mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and child and adolescent psychological disorders.

At the University of Nairobi, the programme is offered through the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine, comprising ten theory courses, five compulsory practicals, and a dissertation over six semesters. USIU-Africa offers a practitioner-focused MA in Clinical Psychology with a strong emphasis on professional standards of practice. Daystar University's programme integrates professional training with faith-based perspectives, housed in the Department of Psychology and Counselling.

Admission requirements vary by institution. UoN requires a first degree in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, or veterinary medicine, or an Upper Second Class degree in Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work. USIU requires a BA in Psychology or closely related field, with an interview with faculty. Daystar accepts a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum GPA of 2.75, with prerequisite psychology courses for non-psychology graduates.

The programme is offered on a full-time basis with intakes in September at all three institutions. UoN's medical school setting provides unique access to clinical psychiatry facilities, while USIU's dual US-Kenya accreditation offers international recognition. Daystar's programme emphasises holistic approaches integrating faith and professional practice.

Graduates work in hospitals, mental health clinics, humanitarian agencies, learning institutions, rehabilitation centres, correctional facilities, and private practice. The growing recognition of mental health in Kenya has increased demand for qualified clinical psychologists across multiple sectors.

Skills Required

Psychological assessment and diagnosis
Evidence-based psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Clinical supervision and case management
Psychopathology and diagnostic classification
Research methods in clinical psychology
Crisis intervention and trauma counselling
Group therapy facilitation
Child and adolescent psychological assessment
Professional ethics in clinical practice

Key Subjects

Psychopathology and Diagnosis
Psychological Assessment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Psychotherapy Techniques
Research Methods in Psychology
Clinical Supervision and Practicum
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Neuropsychology
Crisis Intervention and Trauma
Professional Ethics in Clinical Practice

Certifications

Kenya Psychological Association (KPA) Registration
Counselling and Psychology Association of Kenya (CPAK) Membership
American Psychological Association (APA) Certification

Specializations

Adult Clinical Psychology

Focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders in adults, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic conditions.

Child and Adolescent Psychology

Specialises in psychological assessment and intervention for children and adolescents, addressing developmental, behavioural, and emotional disorders.

Neuropsychology

Examines the relationship between brain function and behaviour, covering neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation of cognitive impairments.

Trauma and Crisis Intervention

Develops skills in trauma-focused therapy, crisis intervention, and disaster mental health response for individuals and communities affected by trauma.

Health Psychology

Focuses on the psychological aspects of physical health and illness, including behavioural medicine, chronic disease management, and health promotion.

Forensic Psychology

Applies psychological knowledge to legal and criminal justice contexts, including psychological assessment of offenders and expert testimony.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 422,000
Private, up to: Ksh 325,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Psychopathology and Diagnosis
Psychological Assessment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Psychotherapy Techniques
Research Methods in Psychology
Clinical Supervision and Practicum
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Neuropsychology
Crisis Intervention and Trauma
Professional Ethics in Clinical Practice

Modules

12 in the programme

Psychopathology and Diagnosis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the classification, assessment, and diagnosis of mental disorders using DSM and ICD frameworks, including mood, anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders.
Psychological Assessment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops skills in administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological tests including intelligence, personality, and neuropsychological assessments.
Research Methods in Clinical Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces research methodologies for clinical psychology research, covering study design, statistical analysis, and ethical considerations in mental health research.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Teaches CBT theory and techniques for treating mental health disorders, including case conceptualisation, treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions.
Psychotherapy Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers major psychotherapy approaches including psychodynamic, humanistic, and integrative therapies, with practical skills development through role-play and case studies.
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines psychological assessment and intervention for children and adolescents, covering developmental disorders, behavioural problems, and family therapy approaches.
Neuropsychology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Studies the relationship between brain function and behaviour, covering neuropsychological assessment, brain-behaviour relationships, and rehabilitation of cognitive impairments.
Crisis Intervention and Trauma
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Develops skills in trauma-focused therapy, crisis intervention, and disaster mental health response for individuals and communities affected by trauma.
Professional Ethics in Clinical Practice
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Examines ethical principles and legal frameworks governing clinical psychology practice, including confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries.
Clinical Supervision and Practicum
Year 2Semester 34 creditsCore
Supervised clinical practicum in hospital or mental health settings, providing hands-on experience in psychological assessment, therapy, and case management.
Group Therapy and Family Interventions
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Covers theories and techniques of group therapy and family systems interventions, including group dynamics, family assessment, and systemic therapy approaches.
Research Dissertation
Year 2Semester 48 creditsCore
An original research dissertation in clinical psychology, demonstrating mastery of research methods and contributing to evidence-based mental health practice.

Specialisations

Adult Clinical Psychology
Focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders in adults, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic conditions.
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Specialises in psychological assessment and intervention for children and adolescents, addressing developmental, behavioural, and emotional disorders.
Neuropsychology
Examines the relationship between brain function and behaviour, covering neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation of cognitive impairments.
Trauma and Crisis Intervention
Develops skills in trauma-focused therapy, crisis intervention, and disaster mental health response for individuals and communities affected by trauma.
Health Psychology
Focuses on the psychological aspects of physical health and illness, including behavioural medicine, chronic disease management, and health promotion.
Forensic Psychology
Applies psychological knowledge to legal and criminal justice contexts, including psychological assessment of offenders and expert testimony.

A day as a student

A typical day for a Master of Clinical Psychology student combines morning lectures on psychopathology, psychological assessment, or psychotherapy techniques with afternoon clinical practicum sessions. Students engage in case conceptualisation, role-play therapy sessions, psychological testing, and clinical supervision discussions. Research methodology and statistics sessions prepare students for their dissertation. Clinical attachments at hospitals or mental health clinics provide hands-on experience in patient assessment and therapy. The programme's integration of theory with supervised clinical practice ensures graduates are both academically prepared and clinically competent.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing recognition of mental health in Kenya has created high demand for qualified clinical psychologists across healthcare, education, and corporate sectors.
The programme is offered at three universities, providing prospective students with institutional choice and varying approaches to clinical training.
USIU-Africa's dual US-Kenya accreditation provides international recognition, while UoN's medical school setting offers unique psychiatry-focused training.

Against it

Tuition costs vary significantly, with UoN at KES 422,000/year and private institutions at KES 325,500–351,000/year, requiring substantial financial investment.
Clinical practicum requirements demand significant time in hospital and mental health settings, which can be challenging for students with work commitments.
Professional registration and recognition for clinical psychologists in Kenya is still developing, with limited statutory regulation compared to medical professions.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public296k to 422k

296k at Kenyatta University422k at University of Nairobi

Private240k to 326k

240k at Daystar University326k at United States International University Africa

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 869K/2yr (uonbi.ac.ke). KU 296K. USIU 325K/yr. Daystar ~240K/yr (daystar.ac.ke).

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, USIU-Africa financial aid, and Daystar University internal financial aid for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
USIU-Africa Financial Aid
Daystar University Financial Aid

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
USIU-Africa Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
Students demonstrating academic merit and financial need at USIU-Africa, subject to availability.
Daystar University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
Students demonstrating financial need and academic merit at Daystar University, subject to availability.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: UoN also accepts first degrees in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, or veterinary medicine. USIU requires a BA in Psychology or closely related field plus faculty interview. Daystar accepts any Bachelor's degree with minimum GPA 2.75, with prerequisite psychology courses for non-psychology graduates. Lower Second Class Honours with relevant work experience may be considered at some institutions.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Case conceptualisation reports, research papers, psychological assessment reports, and therapy technique demonstrations submitted for each course.
Clinical Practicum Assessment
Practical25% of the mark
Assessment of clinical competencies during supervised practicum, including therapy sessions, psychological assessments, and case presentations.
End-of-Semester Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Written examinations testing mastery of psychopathology, assessment techniques, therapeutic approaches, and professional ethics.
Research Dissertation
Project20% of the mark
An original research dissertation in clinical psychology, demonstrating research competence and contribution to evidence-based mental health practice.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). All three universities are CUE-chartered. USIU-Africa also holds WASC Senior College and University Commission accreditation. Graduates may register with the Kenya Psychological Association for professional practice.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan university programmes. All three universities are CUE-chartered.
WASC Senior College and University Commission
International accreditation
US regional accreditation held by USIU-Africa, providing international recognition for its programmes in addition to CUE accreditation.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Clinical Psychologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides psychological assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based psychotherapy for individuals with mental health disorders in hospitals, clinics, or private practice.
Mental Health Counsellor
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Offers counselling and therapeutic interventions for individuals, couples, and groups experiencing psychological difficulties in various settings.
Child and Adolescent Psychologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Specialises in psychological assessment and therapy for children and adolescents in schools, paediatric clinics, or child mental health services.
Trauma and Crisis Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides trauma-focused therapy and crisis intervention for individuals and communities affected by violence, disaster, or humanitarian crises.
Psychology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Teaches psychology at universities and colleges, combining academic instruction with research and clinical practice supervision.
Organisational Psychologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000
Applies psychological principles to workplace settings, providing employee wellness programmes, organisational development, and mental health support services.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as clinical psychologists in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, NGOs, rehabilitation centres, correctional facilities, and private practice across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for clinical psychology research, data analysis, and evidence-based practice in mental health settings.
Psychological Testing Suites (e.g., WAIS, WISC, MMPI)
ReferencePrimary
Standardised psychological assessment instruments for intelligence, personality, and neuropsychological evaluation used in clinical practice.
TherapyNotes
Software
Electronic health record system designed for mental health professionals, managing client records, treatment notes, and scheduling.
UpToDate
Software
Clinical decision support resource providing evidence-based mental health information for clinical psychology practice.
Zotero
Software
Reference management software for organising research sources and producing academic citations in clinical psychology research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Clinical psychology is the same as counselling psychology.
Clinical psychology involves advanced psychological assessment, diagnosis of mental disorders, and evidence-based psychotherapy, with a stronger medical orientation than counselling psychology.
You need a medical degree to practise clinical psychology.
Clinical psychologists are trained at master's or doctoral level in psychology, not medicine. They provide psychological assessment and therapy, while psychiatrists (medical doctors) can prescribe medication.
Clinical psychologists only work in hospitals.
Graduates work in diverse settings including schools, NGOs, corporate organisations, rehabilitation centres, correctional facilities, private practice, and humanitarian agencies.
Mental health services have limited demand in Kenya.
Kenya faces a growing mental health burden, with increased recognition of psychological services in healthcare, education, and corporate settings, creating rising demand for qualified clinical psychologists.
The programme is only for those with psychology undergraduate degrees.
While a psychology background is preferred, some institutions like Daystar accept graduates from other fields with prerequisite psychology courses, broadening access to the profession.