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
The Kenyan society is experiencing social, economic, political and cultural transformations. This is posing a serious challenge on individual and communal coping strategies to the extent that they require professional help in understanding, predicting and possibly controlling challenges in their lives. The program focus on Counselling and applied Psychotherapy 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 neuro biological understandings relevant to counselling.
Programme Objectives
1. Explain the therapeutic approaches in counselling.
2. Apply theories and techniques of counselling in various contexts.
3. Demonstrate practical counselling skills and techniques in real life situations.
4. Acquire ethical principles and values of counselling.
5. Conduct research in counselling psychology.
Programme Learning Outcomes
1. Understand counselling theories and techniques.
2. Utilise therapeutic approaches in counselling.
3. Evaluate various theoretical practices in various contexts.
4. Undertake clinical assessment of clients.
5. Conduct counselling in a professionally and ethically.
6. Develop therapeutic models to address various clients’ counselling needs.
Structure
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:
- Credit/Debit Card
- M-Pesa Pay Bill
- 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 Masters of Counselling Psychology shall be by coursework, seminars, continuous assessments, examinations, practicum and project.
Each candidate shall be required to take a minimum of 16 course units to graduate in a given specialization offered as follows:
Each candidate shall be required to successfully take a minimum of 16 course units comprising six (6) core units; four (4) elective course units; two (2) Practicum units and a Project which is equivalent to four (4) course units of 45 hours each.
There shall be Practicum in which a candidate shall be placed in a relevant field station to work under supervision by qualified practitioners and departmental academic member of staff. The practicum course shall be equivalent to two (2) taught course units of 45 hours each. Each taught lecture hour will be equivalent to 3-client-contact hours of practice. The candidate will therefore, be expected to cover a minimum of 270 hours of practice making it equivalent to 90 taught lecture hours.
The candidate will be required to conduct and write a research project report equivalent to four (4) taught courses.
The candidate shall be allowed to take a minimum of two (2) course units and a maximum of six (6) course units per semester.
. Each course unit shall cover forty five (45) contact hours.
Candidate shall be required to submit their project proposal for approval by the department by the end of first semester of the second year.
Admission Requirements
1. The common regulations for the Masters’ degrees of the University of Nairobi and the Faculty of Arts shall apply.
2 The following shall be eligible for admission into the Master of Counselling Psychology:
2.1. A holder of Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with an Upper Second Class Honours in psychology, counselling, sociology, Education or related field from the University of Nairobi or from any other University recognized by the Senate.
2.1 A holder of a degree with at least Lower Second Class Honours in psychology, counselling, sociology, Education from the University of Nairobi or any other University recognized by the Senate with two years of relevant working experience.
2.3. A holder of a Pass degree in psychology, counselling, sociology, 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.
3.0. CREDIT TRANSFER AND EXEMPTIONS
A candidate on the recommendation of the Board of Postgraduate Studies and approved by the Senate, may be allowed to transfer up to a maximum of one third of the course units offered in the program that a candidate will have passed in the prior institution. Applicants seeking transfer of credits shall:
3.1 Send a formal application to the Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies, through the Dean, Faculty of Arts, seeking transfer of credits; justification of the request and evidence of credentials which would support such request shall be attached to the application.
3.2 Pay the prescribed fees for transfer of credits before the application is processed.
3.3 Be allowed to transfer units which are equivalent to the same level offered at the University of Nairobi.
Application website: https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/
Careers
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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.
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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
Dean School of Education & Social Sciences, K.A.G University
Mental Health Practitioner Nairobi County
Fees and Funding
| 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 | |