PhD in Counselling Psychology
The PhD in Counselling Psychology is a doctoral programme offered by Kenyan universities, designed to provide advanced training and research opportunities in psychology and counselling. The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through coursework, seminars, and independent research.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 259,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 777,600 to Ksh 1,036,800 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 355,590 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3-4 years, full-time, part-time, 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 Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students engage with psychological assessment, counselling techniques, research methods, and mental health through a structured curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications. The programme emphasises mental health, wellbeing, and evidence-based therapeutic practice and prepares scholars to contribute original research to the discipline.
Kenya's mental health needs are growing in Kenya, with increasing recognition of psychological services. The programme addresses national development priorities and aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030, which emphasises the need for highly trained professionals in mental health and psychological services. Graduates are equipped to tackle complex challenges facing the country and the East African region.
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions where applicable, fieldwork, and supervised research. Students work closely with faculty supervisors to develop their research proposals, conduct original research, and produce a thesis or dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field.
Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, clinical psychologists, counselling consultants, and researchers in universities, research institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector firms. The programme provides a strong foundation for academic careers and leadership roles in mental health and psychological services.
This programme is ideal for individuals with a strong academic background in psychology or a related field who are passionate about research and advancing knowledge in psychology and counselling. It suits those who wish to contribute to policy development, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making in Kenya and beyond.
What you study
10 subjects- Psychological Theory
- Research Methods
- Counselling Techniques
- Psychological Assessment
- Statistics
- Mental Health
- Behavioural Science
- Clinical Practice
- Psychometrics
- Thesis Research
Modules
10 in the programmePsychological Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of psychological theory, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of research methods, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Counselling Techniques
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of counselling techniques, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Psychological Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of psychological assessment, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Statistics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of statistics, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Mental Health
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of mental health, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Behavioural Science
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of behavioural science, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Clinical Practice
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of clinical practice, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Psychometrics
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of psychometrics, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Thesis Research
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Advanced study of thesis research, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Specialisations
Psychological Theory
Specialization in Psychological Theory, preparing graduates for careers such as clinical-psychologist.
Counselling Techniques
Specialization in Counselling Techniques, preparing graduates for careers such as counselor.
Psychological Assessment
Specialization in Psychological Assessment, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Mental Health
Specialization in Mental Health, preparing graduates for careers such as mental-health-counsellor.
Specialisation Methods
Specialization in Specialisation Methods, preparing graduates for careers such as psychologist.
Statistics
Specialization in Statistics, preparing graduates for careers such as school-counseling-program-coordinator.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures and seminars with afternoon research activities, laboratory sessions, or fieldwork. Students engage with faculty supervisors, attend research seminars, review literature, and work on their thesis research projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Advanced research skills open doors to academic and research careers in Kenya and internationally | Requires significant time commitment, typically 3-4 years for PhD and 2 years for Masters |
| Addresses real-world challenges relevant to Kenya's development priorities | Research funding can be limited, requiring students to seek external grants |
| Strong professional network through university and research collaborations | Limited number of supervisors in specialised fields may restrict research topics |
| Graduates are well-positioned for leadership roles in their respective sectors | Job market for highly specialised roles may be concentrated in a few institutions |
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 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
KU 245K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Kabarak 334K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke). UoN, Moi, PAC unverified.
Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships for African scholars, and university-specific research grants. Some programmes offer teaching assistantships that provide fee waivers and stipends.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships
Scholarship
African Union Research Grants
Grant
Scholarships
2 recordedDAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for postgraduate study in relevant fields
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised 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
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding Mount Kenya University, Egerton University, Kenyatta University.
Including Mount Kenya University, Egerton University, Kenyatta University.
Including Mount Kenya University, Egerton University, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsThesis Defence
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework20% of the mark
Coursework Examinations
Coursework30% of the mark
Research Seminars
Coursework20% of the mark
Accreditation
Relevant Professional Body
Professional certification
Professional registration may be required depending on the field of specialisation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Professional body registration may be required depending on the field of specialisation.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesConsultant
Moderate demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 240,000
Offers specialised expertise to organisations, drawing on advanced training and research experience.
Program Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 190,000
Manages research and development programmes in NGOs, government agencies, or private sector organisations.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches and conducts research in a university department, contributing to knowledge generation and student mentorship.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 220,000
Conducts independent and collaborative research in research institutions, contributing to publications and innovation.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides research-based policy advice to government, NGOs, and international organisations.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as university lecturers, research scientists, policy analysts, and consultants in universities, research institutions, government agencies, and private sector organisations across Kenya and the East African region.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This doctoral programme is only for those who want to become university lecturers
Graduates pursue diverse careers including research, policy analysis, consulting, and leadership roles in government, NGOs, and private sector organisations across Kenya and internationally.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application
The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical research, fieldwork, and industry engagement, ensuring graduates can apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
Research in this field has limited relevance to Kenya's development
The programme directly addresses national development priorities under Vision 2030, with research topics often focused on local challenges and solutions relevant to the Kenyan context.
There are no funding opportunities for postgraduate students in this field
Multiple funding sources exist including HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, bilateral cooperation programmes, and university-specific research grants for qualifying students.