Postgraduate Diploma in Probation Practice and Correctional Studies
The Postgraduate Diploma in Probation Practice and Correctional Studies is a programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in probation practice, correctional services and criminal justice. Offered at Egerton University through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the programme prepares professionals for careers in probation, corrections and offender rehabilitation.
The curriculum covers criminal justice systems, probation practice, correctional services, offender rehabilitation, criminology, criminal psychology, restorative justice, parole and aftercare, offender assessment, counselling for offenders, prison management, community corrections, research methods and a research project. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in probation and correctional practice.
The programme responds to the need for trained probation and correctional professionals who can support offender rehabilitation, manage community corrections and contribute to criminal justice reform. It provides a comprehensive foundation for those working in probation services, prisons and correctional facilities.
The programme is delivered through full-time and part-time modes, with lectures, case studies, field visits to correctional facilities, counselling skills workshops and a supervised research project. Students gain practical experience through field placements and engagement with probation and correctional services.
Graduates pursue careers as probation officers, correctional officers, rehabilitation officers, parole officers, criminal justice counsellors and social workers in the Kenya Probation Service, Kenya Prison Service, children's departments and NGOs. They can also progress to a Master's degree in criminology, criminal justice or social work.
Prospective students should have a background in social sciences, criminology, law, psychology or a related field. The programme is suitable for professionals seeking to strengthen their probation and correctional practice expertise.
- Duration
- 1 year
- Public, up to
- Ksh 255,900
- Job market
- Low
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time, Part-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 15 students
- Award
- Postgraduate Diploma
What you study
6 subjects- Criminal Justice Systems and Criminology
- Probation Practice and Community Corrections
- Correctional Services and Prison Management
- Offender Rehabilitation and Criminal Psychology
- Restorative Justice and Parole and Aftercare
- Offender Assessment and Counselling and Research Project
Modules
6 in the programmeCriminal Justice Systems and Criminology
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers criminal justice systems, Kenyan criminal justice, criminology theories, crime causation, criminal behaviour and the criminal justice process.
Probation Practice and Community Corrections
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers probation practice, probation law, community corrections, community service orders, probation orders, pre-sentence reports and probation supervision.
Correctional Services and Prison Management
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers correctional services, prison management, prison systems, correctional institutions, inmate management, prison classification and correctional administration.
Offender Rehabilitation and Criminal Psychology
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers offender rehabilitation, rehabilitation programmes, criminal psychology, offender behaviour, cognitive-behavioural interventions and recidivism reduction.
Restorative Justice and Parole and Aftercare
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers restorative justice, restorative justice practices, victim-offender mediation, parole, aftercare, prisoner reintegration and post-release support.
Offender Assessment and Counselling and Research Project
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers offender assessment, risk assessment, counselling skills for offenders, research methods and a supervised research project on a probation or correctional topic.
Specialisations
Probation Practice
Focuses on probation supervision and community corrections for careers as probation officers.
Offender Rehabilitation
Specialises in rehabilitation programmes and counselling for careers as rehabilitation officers.
Restorative Justice
Focuses on restorative justice and victim-offender mediation for careers in restorative justice programmes.
Correctional Management
Specialises in prison management and correctional administration for careers as correctional officers.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on criminal justice systems or criminology, followed by a case study on probation practice or offender rehabilitation. Afternoon sessions may include a counselling skills workshop, a field visit to a correctional facility, or work on the research project. Students also participate in restorative justice seminars and present case analyses.
The trade offs
In its favour
- The programme addresses Kenya's need for professional probation and correctional services.
- Graduates can progress to a Master's degree in criminology, criminal justice or social work.
- The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical counselling and assessment skills.
Against it
- The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
- Career opportunities in probation and corrections are limited by government hiring and budget constraints.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 188 arts & humanities 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
Egerton PGD 255.9K/yr (egerton.ac.ke). Private: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans for postgraduate study. Egerton University may offer internal bursaries. Government departments may sponsor officers pursuing correctional studies training.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes at recognised institutions
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C+
- Alternative entry
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university, preferably in social sciences, criminology, law, psychology or a related field.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering criminal justice, probation practice, correctional services and offender rehabilitation.
Practical Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of case studies, pre-sentence reports, counselling role-plays, field visit reports and group presentations.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A supervised research project on a probation or correctional topic, assessed through a written report and oral defence.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Egerton University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Egerton University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesProbation Officer
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Supervises offenders on probation, conducts pre-sentence assessments, prepares pre-sentence reports, supports offender rehabilitation and monitors compliance with probation conditions.
Correctional Officer
Low demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages correctional facilities, supervises inmates, supports rehabilitation programmes, maintains security and order and facilitates offender reintegration.
Rehabilitation Officer
Low demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 190,000
Designs and implements rehabilitation programmes, supports offender education and vocational training, facilitates counselling and supports reintegration into society.
Criminal Justice Counsellor
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides counselling to offenders, supports behavioural change, addresses underlying issues contributing to criminal behaviour and facilitates group therapy in correctional settings.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as probation officers, correctional officers, rehabilitation officers and criminal justice counsellors in the Kenya Probation Service, Kenya Prison Service and NGOs.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Probation and correctional work is just about supervising offenders.
Probation and correctional work involves offender assessment, rehabilitation, counselling, restorative justice, community reintegration and support for behavioural change, not just supervision.
Correctional studies is only for prison guards.
Correctional studies prepares professionals for diverse roles including probation, parole, rehabilitation, counselling, policy analysis and programme management in criminal justice.
Offender rehabilitation doesn't work.
Evidence-based rehabilitation programmes, including cognitive-behavioural interventions, education and vocational training, have been shown to reduce reoffending rates.
Probation is a soft option compared to prison.
Probation is a community-based sentence with strict conditions, supervision and rehabilitation requirements, designed as an alternative to imprisonment for suitable offenders.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Postgraduate Diploma in Probation Practice and Correctional Studies are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.