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Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Guidance and Counselling

The Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Guidance and Counselling is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, and at the University of Nairobi. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in educational guidance, counselling psychology and student support services. The programme addresses Kenya's growing need for mental health support in schools and counselling expertise in the education system.

Duration
3-4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 244,800
Ksh 734,400 to Ksh 979,200 total
Private tuition
Ksh 310,200
Ksh 930,600 to Ksh 1,240,800 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 734,400 to Ksh 979,200 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,200 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of Masters Degree or above, plus 1 subject grade. 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 7 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with advanced topics in counselling theory, career guidance and development, mental health in education, counselling psychology, group counselling, family counselling in educational contexts, crisis intervention in schools, research methods in counselling, assessment in guidance and counselling, and counselling ethics. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops guidance and counselling insights for Kenya's education system.

Kenya's increasing focus on student mental health, the rise of school-based counselling needs, career guidance demands under CBC and the growing recognition of psychological support in education create demand for doctoral-level guidance and counselling expertise. The programme supports Kenya's student wellbeing and mental health goals in education.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and supervised research. At KU, the programme is offered through the School of Education with annual fees of KSh 244,800 for East Africans and KSh 306,000 for non-East Africans. Application fee is KSh 3,000. At UoN, the programme is offered through the School of Education at Kikuyu Campus.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, counselling researchers, school counsellors, guidance programme coordinators and mental health consultants. They work in universities, Ministry of Education, schools, Teachers Service Commission and counselling organisations.

The programme is ideal for experienced counsellors and educators with backgrounds in guidance and counselling, psychology or education who wish to contribute original research to educational guidance and counselling.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Counselling Theory and Practice
  • Career Guidance and Development
  • Mental Health in Education
  • Counselling Psychology
  • Group Counselling in Educational Settings
  • Family Counselling in Educational Contexts
  • Crisis Intervention in Schools
  • Assessment in Guidance and Counselling
  • Research Methods in Counselling
  • Counselling Ethics and Professional Practice

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Counselling Theory and Practice

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theoretical foundations of counselling, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.

  • Career Guidance and Development

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Career guidance theory and practice, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.

  • Mental Health in Education

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Mental health issues in educational settings, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.

  • Counselling Psychology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Psychological foundations of counselling, covering psychological theories, assessment methods, and their application in clinical and research settings.

  • Crisis Intervention in Schools

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Crisis intervention and management, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Research Methods in Counselling

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology for counselling, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the.

  • Departmental Seminars

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.

  • Thesis Research

    Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore

    Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.

Specialisations

  • Crisis Intervention

    Research on crisis intervention in schools

  • Counselling Psychology

    Research on counselling psychology in education

  • Mental Health in Schools

    Research on mental health in educational settings

  • Career Guidance

    Research on career guidance and development

A day as a student

A typical day involves reviewing counselling literature, conducting counselling research in schools, analysing mental health data, attending seminars on counselling psychology, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KCPA and schools for counselling research and practice.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Growing mental health awareness creates demand for counselling expertiseCareer opportunities outside education are limited
KCPA provides professional network and recognitionResearch on sensitive topics requires ethical clearance
Research directly impacts student wellbeingLimited funding for counselling research in Kenya

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
Public159k to 245k
159k at University of Nairobi245k at Kenyatta University
Private250k to 310k
250k at Mount Kenya University310k at Kabarak 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

UoN ~158,700/yr thesis-only (uonbi.ac.ke). KU ~244,800/yr. Kabarak ~310,200, MKU ~250,000/yr.

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. African Union provides research grants for education and health research in Africa.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • African Union Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • African Union Research Grant

    Grant

    Education and health researchers in Africa

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Masters Degreeminimum entry
Alternative entry

At KU: Masters degree in relevant area from KU or recognised institution. Application fee KSh 3,000. At UoN: Masters degree from UoN or recognised institution with evidence of counselling training.

Subject requirements
Masters degree in Education (Guidance and Counselling), Counselling Psychology or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 7 institutions
January 20277 institutions

Including Laikipia University, Tom Mboya University, Kisii University.

May 20277 institutions

Including Laikipia University, Tom Mboya University, Kisii University.

September 20277 institutions

Including Laikipia University, Tom Mboya University, Kisii University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, counselling case studies and seminar presentations

Accreditation

  • Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association

    Professional

    Professional body for counsellors and psychologists in Kenya

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kenyatta University (School of Education and Lifelong Learning) with fees KSh 244,800/year. Also at University of Nairobi (School of Education, Kikuyu Campus). Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association is the professional body for counsellors.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • University Professor

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in education and counselling departments

  • Counselling Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Research on counselling in educational settings

  • School Counsellor

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Counselling in schools and educational institutions

  • Guidance Programme Coordinator

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Coordinating guidance programmes at Ministry of Education

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, counselling researchers, school counsellors and guidance programme coordinators. They work at universities, Ministry of Education, schools and KCPA.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Guidance and counselling is just about giving advice.

    The field covers counselling theory, psychology, mental health, crisis intervention and career guidance.

  • There is no demand for counselling PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's growing mental health awareness creates demand for counselling expertise in schools.

  • Counselling research is purely qualitative.

    The programme uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods including outcome studies.

  • Only teachers study guidance and counselling PhDs.

    The programme attracts psychologists, social workers and mental health practitioners.

Further reading

Read next