Education

Master of Education in Education Psychology, Guidance and Counseling

The Master of Education in Education Psychology, Guidance and Counseling provides advanced training in educational psychology, guidance, counselling, and student support. Students learn educational psychology theories, counselling techniques, guidance programme development, and student support strategies. The programme is designed for teachers, counsellors, and education professionals seeking advanced qualifications in educational psychology and guidance.

Students develop advanced competencies in educational psychology, counselling theory and practice, guidance programme development, psychological assessment, and student support. The curriculum covers educational psychology, counselling theories, guidance and counselling practice, psychological assessment, research methods, and a research project. Practical skills are developed through counselling practicum and case studies.

Educational psychology and guidance expertise is important for Kenya's education sector. Schools, colleges, and education institutions require trained counsellors and guidance professionals. Kenya's growing focus on student wellbeing and mental health creates demand for educational psychology and guidance expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced training in educational psychology and guidance.

The programme combines classroom lectures with counselling practicum, case studies, and research. Students study psychological theories, practise counselling techniques, develop guidance programmes, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, counselling workshops, case studies, and research supervision. The programme is offered in full-time, school-based, evening, and weekend modes.

Graduates find employment as school counsellors, guidance teachers, educational psychologists, or student support officers in schools, colleges, universities, and education institutions. The master's degree supports careers in educational guidance, counselling, and student support services.

This programme is ideal for teachers, counsellors, and education professionals seeking advanced qualifications in educational psychology and guidance. The programme provides advanced skills for educational counselling, guidance programme management, and student support.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, School-Based, Evening, Weekend
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Psychology
Counselling Theories and Techniques
Guidance Programme Development
Psychological Assessment
Child and Adolescent Development
Career Guidance and Counselling
Research Methods
Group Counselling
Crisis Intervention in Schools
Research Project

Modules

8 in the programme

Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational psychology covering learning theories, cognitive development, motivation, individual differences, and the application of psychology in education.
Counselling Theories and Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Counselling theories covering person-centred, cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, and other approaches, and counselling techniques and skills.
Child and Adolescent Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Child and adolescent development covering developmental stages, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral development, and developmental issues in education.
Research Methods in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, educational research, and research ethics.
Guidance Programme Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Guidance programme development covering programme design, implementation, evaluation, and managing comprehensive school guidance programmes.
Psychological Assessment and Career Guidance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Psychological assessment covering assessment methods, testing, and interpretation, and career guidance covering career development theory and career counselling.
Group Counselling and Crisis Intervention
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Group counselling covering group dynamics and group facilitation, and crisis intervention covering crisis response, trauma support, and school crisis management.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research project on an educational psychology or guidance and counselling topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to the field.

Specialisations

Educational Psychology
Focus on learning theories, cognitive development, psychological assessment, and the application of psychology in educational settings.
Guidance and Counselling
Focus on counselling techniques, guidance programme development, and student support services in educational institutions.
Career Guidance
Focus on career development theory, career counselling, and supporting students in career planning and decision-making.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on educational psychology or counselling theory with afternoon counselling practicum and case study work. Students study psychological theories, practise counselling techniques, develop guidance programmes, and conduct research. Counselling practicum involves role-playing counselling sessions, peer feedback, and supervised practice. The programme emphasises counselling competence, psychological understanding, and guidance programme development skills.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines educational psychology with guidance and counselling, providing versatile skills for school support services.
Offered in multiple modes (full-time, school-based, evening, weekend) providing flexibility for working teachers.
Growing demand for school counsellors as schools increasingly focus on student wellbeing and mental health.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university with this specific combined focus.
Career opportunities are primarily within the education sector.
Counselling practicum can be emotionally demanding, requiring personal resilience and self-awareness.

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

Public101k to 187k

101k at Kaimosi Friends University187k at Moi University

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International 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

Moi ~187K (worldscholarshipforum). Kaimosi 100,500 Yr2 (tuko.co.ke). Kabarak 165K, AIU 191K

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. Kaimosi Friends University may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students. KNUT employees and their dependents are entitled to a 16% fee waiver.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

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

What you need

Alternative entry: Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in a relevant field, or Second Class (Lower Division) with at least 2 years of relevant experience, or with a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, written examinations, and assignments evaluating understanding of educational psychology and counselling concepts.
Counselling Practicum and Case Studies
Practical30% of the mark
Counselling practicum assessments, case study analyses, and role-play evaluations assessing counselling skills and competence.
Research Project
Project30% of the mark
A research project demonstrating research competence in educational psychology or guidance and counselling.

Accreditation

Kaimosi Friends University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MEd programme is accredited by CUE.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Kaimosi Friends University is chartered by CUE. MEd programme accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

School Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides counselling and guidance services in schools, supporting student wellbeing, academic success, and personal development.
Guidance Teacher
Moderate demand
Serves as a guidance teacher in schools, providing career guidance, academic counselling, and personal support to students.
Educational Psychologist
Moderate demand
Works as an educational psychologist in education institutions, assessing learning needs, supporting student development, and advising on educational interventions.
Student Support Officer
Moderate demand
Manages student support services in schools, colleges, or universities, coordinating counselling, guidance, and wellbeing programmes.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as school counsellors, guidance teachers, and educational psychologists in schools, colleges, and universities, with opportunities for student support services and educational guidance.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Guidance and counselling is just about giving advice.
Professional counselling involves evidence-based techniques, psychological assessment, therapeutic interventions, and ethical practice, not just giving advice.
School counsellors don't need advanced training.
Effective school counselling requires advanced training in psychology, counselling techniques, crisis intervention, and child and adolescent development.
Educational psychology is the same as clinical psychology.
Educational psychology focuses on learning, development, and wellbeing in educational settings, while clinical psychology focuses on mental health diagnosis and treatment.
Guidance and counselling is only for problem students.
Guidance and counselling supports all students including career guidance, academic support, personal development, and wellbeing, not just problem students.