MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGY

Overview

Introduction

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. The goals of psychology are to describe, explain, control and predict behaviour. While other branches of psychology describe, explain and predict behaviour, counselling psychology is one of the branches of psychology that helps to control behaviour. Behaviour is controlled through guidance where professional information is offered by a counsellor to prevent occurrence of a problem, or through counselling which is a face to face relationship through which the counsellor uses his or her professional skills to help a client to solve his or her problem. In a world full of diverse challenges, counselling psychology helps clients who are facing diverse challenges not to give up in life but to face and solve the problem

Rationale

Kenya is undergoing a number of socio-political transformations. These are posing a challenge to people’s life-skills. The programme focuses on Applied Psychological strategies to enhance outcomes for clients struggling with a wide range of challenges which may vary from intra-personal to inter-personal issues and systemic problems. A wide variety of theoretical models are taught with an emphasis on eclectic approaches offering integrative themes including neurobiological understanding relevant to psychology. The approaches to problem that this program is aiming at inculcating in the learners are in line with aims of the Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Global goals for Sustainable development.

 

Philosophy

The need for locally trained psychologists saw the Department of Psychology established in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Nairobi slightly over a decade ago. This department is currently offering degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Diploma in Counselling Psychology. Having graduated students in these degrees over a number of years, a needs analysis conducted by the Department of Psychology established that its clients were in need of Master’s degree courses in different areas of psychology to further their education and acquire skills relevant to current problems in Kenya. The Department of Psychology therefore proposes to offer Master of Psychology degree with specializations in community psychology, health psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, consumer psychology, forensic psychology, and social psychology. 

 

 

The objectives of this programme shall be to:

  1. Develop in the student an understanding of the cognitive and affective processes that underlie the individual human experience and behaviour.
  2. Educate the student in the research methodologies by which psychological knowledge is acquired and developed.
  3. Inculcate in student the critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary to evaluate behaviour.
  4. Develop in the student the ability to apply theoretical principles of psychology to inter- and intra-personal issues in a variety of setting.

 

Schedule of Intakes

Department of Psychology, University of Nairobi has ONE intake in a year.

  • September Intake (Every Year)

 

Application Information

Step 1: Visit the application website http://application.uonbi.ac.ke

Step 2: Registration and creation of User Account - To register, you need an email address and phone number that will be validated during registration. Every applicant must create their own personal user account.

Step 3: Profile Management - Key-in your personal details and upload scanned copies of academic certificates and a passport size photograph. Only when your profile is complete can you apply for the programme you wish to undertake.

Step 4: Programme Selection - Select and apply for the course you are interested in. You will be issued with a REFERENCE NUMBER and directed to pay the prescribed application fee through the following Available Payment options:

  1. Credit/Debit Card
  2. M-Pesa Pay Bill
  3. Direct Cash Deposit at any Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branch

Upon payment, you will receive a confirmation of the payment on the email address and phone number registered in step 2.

Step 5: Application Tracking - Track the status of your application online through the system.  Alerts will be sent to your registered email address and phone number.

For any assistance and clarification please contact any of the following:

Academic Registrar

Admissions office

Tel:+254 20 020 491 3065, 020 491 3199, 020 491 3027, 020 491 3067

 (For undergraduate courses)

Email: admissions@uonbi.ac.ke, reg-academic@uonbi.ac.ke

 

Academic Revenue Office

Tel:+254 20 491 3138

(For all courses) 020 491 0000

Email:cessp-g3@uonbi.ac.ke

More information may also be obtained from the Admissions Office, Main Campus, Administration Block, 1st floor, room 116, Room A112 or email: admissions@uonbi.ac.ke

 

 

Mode of Delivery

The programme shall adopt blended learning through the use of face-to-face and online modes. The face-to-face learning will take place within the classroom setting at the Main Campus. Currently, learning is through online delivery. The online classes are conducted over video conferencing platforms such as Mtihani, Zoom and Google Meet, among others

The Master of Psychology degree will be offered part-time.

 

 

  1. The degree programme shall consist of coursework, seminars, continuous assessments, examinations, research paper or practicum, project and thesis.

 

  1. The program shall cover a minimum of 4 semesters and a maximum of 8 semesters and each semester shall be 15 weeks.

 

  1. Part-time students shall be required to take a minimum of two and a maximum of four courses in one semester.

 

  1. The Masters of Psychology shall be by coursework, seminars, continuous    assessments, examinations, practicum, project and thesis.

 

  1. The Master of Psychology degree program shall consist of either of the Thesis option or Project Option.

 

  1. Each candidate shall be required to take a minimum of 16 course units to graduate in a given specialization offered in Thesis or Project options as follows:

 

  1. Each candidate in the Thesis Option shall be required to successfully take 16 course units comprising five (5) core course units; three (3) core course units in the area of specialization and a thesis which is equivalent to eight (8) course units of 45 hours each.

 

  1. Apart from those taking clinical psychology and industrial and organization psychology options, each candidate in the Project Option shall be required to successfully take 16 course units comprising five (5) core units; three (3) core course unit in the area of specialization; four (4) elective course units in the area of specialization; and a project which is equivalent to four (4) course units of 45 hours each.

 

  1. Industrial and Organizational Psychology shall take 16 course units comprising five (5) core courses there shall be practicum in the second semester of the second year. Each practicum course shall be equivalent to two (2) taught course units of 45 hours each. They will also take four (3) specialization units and two (2) elective units. They will only be required to write a project equivalent to four (4) taught courses and NOT the thesis as part of their studies.

 

  1. The candidate shall be allowed to take a maximum of six (6) course units and a      minimum of two (2) course units per semester.

 

  1. Each course unit shall cover forty five (45) contact hours.

 

  1. Candidate shall be required to submit their thesis or project proposal for approval   by the department by the end of first semester of the second year.

 

  1. Each practicum shall be equivalent to two (2) course units of 45 hours each

 

 The common regulations for the Master’s Degree of the University of Nairobi shall apply.  In addition, eligible student must be holders of the following:

The common regulations for the Masters’ degrees of the University of Nairobi and the Faculty of Arts shall apply

 

The following shall be eligible for admission into the Master of Psychology:

  • A holder of Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with an Upper Second Class Honors in counseling psychology, psychology, education from the University of Nairobi or any other University recognized by the Senate.    
  • A holder of Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with an Upper Second Class Honors in  counseling psychology, psychology, education from the University of Nairobi or from any other University recognized by the Senate.
  • A holder of a degree with at least Lower Second Class Honors in counseling psychology, psychology, education from the University of Nairobi or any other University recognized by the Senate with two years of relevant working experience.
  • A holder of a Pass degree in counseling psychology, psychology, education from the University of Nairobi or any other university recognized by the Senate may be considered for admission if he/she has at least five years relevant experience or has a postgraduate diploma in a relevant field from a University recognized by the Senate.

 

 

  • Attachment Opportunities

    Students may apply for attachment opportunities during the long holidays (May-August) every year. They get the opportunities to expand their psychological and counselling skills that they have learnt in class. The students undertake internship in hospital settings, organization settings, rehab settings and correctional facilities. 

  •  Contacts of Support Persons

    The Chairman,

    Department of Psychology,

    Email: dept-psychology@uonbi.ac.ke

    Land line: +254 20 491 8226

    Cell Phone: +254722418877

NOTABLE ALUMNI

 

Honorable Wamunyinyi

Former Member of parliament

 

TUITION

                                             27,000

 

EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)

                                               1,000

 

MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)

                                               6,500

 

ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)

                                               7,000

 

CAUTION - (ONCE)

                                               5,000

 

LIBRARY (PER YEAR) 

                                               5,000

 

ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)

                                               2,000

 

REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)

                                               2,250

 

ID CARD ( PER YEAR)

                                               1,000

 

STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)

                                               1,000

 

THESIS EXAMINATION

                                             30,000

 

 

 

 Semester totals 

Sem1

 2 units 

                                    85,750

 

 3 units 

                                  113,750

 

 4 units 

                                  141,750

 

 

 Semester totals 

Sem2 ,3,5 or 6

 1 unit 

                                    30,250

 

 2 units 

                                    58,250

 

 3 units 

                                    86,250

 

 4 units 

                                  114,250

 

 

 Semester totals 

Sem4, 7, or 10

 1 unit 

                                    52,750

 

 2 units 

                                    80,750

 

 3 units 

                                  108,750

 

 4 units 

                                  136,750

Project =4units

 

 

Project in sems 4 or 7

 

                                  166,750

Other sems

 

                                  144,250

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF TOTAL FEES

 

 

Sem1

 4 units 

                                  141,750

Sem2

 4 units 

                                  114,250

Sem3

 4 units 

                                  114,250

Sem4

 PROJECT 

                                  166,750

Totals

 

                  537,000