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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 187,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 374,400 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 191,050 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Bachelor's Degree (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, school-based, evening, weekend, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeEducational 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Combines educational psychology with guidance and counselling, providing versatile skills for school support services. | The programme is offered at only one university with this specific combined focus. |
| Offered in multiple modes (full-time, school-based, evening, weekend) providing flexibility for working teachers. | Career opportunities are primarily within the education sector. |
| Growing demand for school counsellors as schools increasingly focus on student wellbeing and mental health. | 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 coursesAnnual 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 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
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.
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding University of Eldoret, Karatina University, Kaimosi Friends University.
Including University of Eldoret, Karatina University, Kaimosi Friends University.
Including University of Eldoret, Karatina University, Kaimosi Friends University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework 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
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Kaimosi Friends University is chartered by CUE. MEd programme accredited by CUE.
Kaimosi Friends University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MEd programme is accredited by CUE.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSchool 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- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
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.