Course Overview

The PhD in Counselling Psychology responds to the need for highly qualified professionals who can advance research, professional practice, teaching and leadership in counselling psychology. Increasingly complex psychological and psychosocial concerns—including trauma, substance use, family difficulties and mental health challenges—require advanced expertise in assessment, intervention and evaluation. In Kenya and the wider region, there is also a need for locally generated evidence and culturally responsive approaches that reflect diverse social, cultural and community contexts. The programme therefore provides opportunities for advanced scholarship, original research and the critical evaluation of counselling theories and practices. It prepares specialists who can strengthen postgraduate training and professional supervision, evaluate counselling services, inform policy and contribute to the development of the discipline. The purpose of the PhD in Counselling Psychology is to develop highly competent scholars, researchers and practitioners who generate original knowledge and apply advanced, ethical and culturally responsive approaches to psychological assessment and counselling interventions. The programme prepares graduates to provide leadership in university teaching, research, professional supervision, policy development and the improvement of psychological services.

Entry Qualifications

Candidates shall only be admitted to the PhD in Counselling Psychology programme if they have satisfied the minimum entry requirements of the university as specified below:

• A master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology
• A master’s Degree in Guidance and Counselling
• A Master’s Degree in Clinical psychology
• A Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology
• A Master of Arts or Master of Science degree holder with a strong counselling psychology component.
• Any other field related to psychology with at least 2 years in counselling experience.

Program Duration & Structure

• The programme takes three academic years of part-time study, organised into nine trimesters.

The programme comprises advanced coursework, supervised practicum, doctoral seminars and an original research thesis.

Stage	Main Components
Year One: Advanced Coursework	Advanced counselling theories and interventions; psychopathology; psychological assessment and diagnosis; research methods; advanced statistics; professional ethics; and specialised areas of counselling psychology.
Year Two: Professional Practice and Research Development	Supervised practicum, professional supervision, doctoral seminars, development and defence of the research proposal, and acquisition of the required research approvals.
Year Three: Research and Thesis Completion	Data collection and analysis, thesis writing, dissemination of research findings, thesis submission, oral defence and final corrections.

Mode of Delivery

• Part Time

Curriculum Road Map