For a course to be considered the best, it must be relevant to the current job market while also offering skills and knowledge applicable to the local economy. The best social sciences courses in Kenya guarantee you this and more. Therefore, whether you want to follow your passion or prioritize marketability, you will never go wrong with them. So, which one should you take?
Social sciences are an integral part of a liberal arts education. The course revolves around the human world and society and investigates the economy, politics, human behaviour, and social institutions. The course builds strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which can be leveraged in the job market for various industries and jobs.
Social sciences courses in Kenya
Social science entails the study of human behaviour and society at different levels. It plays a vital role in a traditional liberal arts education. If you are wondering what to pursue in college, here is a detailed social science course list.
Social sciences departments
Social sciences courses offered in Kenya are categorized into five departments, namely:
- Humanities and languages
- Journalism and mass communication
- Psychology
- Social and development studies
- Security studies, justice and ethics
These departments offer undergraduate, diploma, certificate, master and Ph.D. courses as follows:
Diploma programmes
- Diploma in Social Work and Social Development
- Diploma in Criminology and Social Order
- Diploma in International Studies
- Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Diploma in Film Studies
- Diploma in Animation and Motion Graphics
- Diploma in Public Relations and Diplomacy
Undergraduate humanities and social sciences courses
- Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
- Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Development Studies
- Bachelor of Economics and Statistic
- Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Film and Animation Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication (Options: Electronic Media, Print Media, Public Relations, and Advertising)
- Bachelor of Social work and administration
- Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Production
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
- Bachelor in Public Policy and Administration (BPPA)
- Bachelor of Arts (Counseling Psychology)
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Bachelor of Arts in Community Development and Social Protection
- Bachelor of Arts in Community Development
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Security Leadership
Masters programmes
- Master of Arts in Anthropology
- Master of Arts in Economic Policy Management
- Master of Science in Health Economics and Policy
- Master of Arts Population
- Master of Arts in Monitoring and Evaluation
- Master Development Studies
- Master of Arts in Sociology (Criminology and Social Order)
- Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Arts in Communication Studies
- Master of Arts in Sociology (Rural Sociology and Community Development)
- Master of Arts in Medical Sociology
- Master of Arts in Sociology (Disaster Management)
- Masters of Research and Public Policy
- Master of Arts in International Relations
- Master of Arts in Women, Leadership and Governance in Africa
- Master of Arts in Strategic Studies and Security Studies
- Master of Arts International Studies
- Master of Arts in Diplomacy
- Master of Arts in Human Rights
- Master of Arts in Linguistics
- Master of Arts in Literature
- Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies
- Master of Arts in Economics
- Master of Arts in Philosophy
- Master of Arts in Religious Studies
- Master of Arts in History
- Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies
- Master of Arts in Film Studies
PhD programmes
- Doctor of Philosophy International Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Gender and Development Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science and Public Administration
- Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Information Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in African Women Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Population Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy
- Doctor of Philosophy in History
- Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Geography
- Doctor of Philosophy in Literature
- Doctor of Philosophy in Kiswahili Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics and Languages
- Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy
Short social sciences courses in Kenya (certificate programmes)
- Certificate in International Relations
- Certificate in Public Relations and Diplomacy
- Certificate in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Certificate in Community development and social work
- Certificate in Counsellor Training of Trainers in Psychological Counseling
- Certificate in Social Work - Community Development
- Certificate in Counselling Psychology
Colleges and universities offering social science courses
To pursue physical or online social sciences courses in Kenya, you can seek admission to the following colleges or universities. The requirements vary from one school to the other. Therefore, you should contact your preferred institute for more information. They include:
- Community Concern Training College, Nairobi
- Diakonia Institute, Nairobi
- Gretsa University School of Education and Social Sciences, Thika
- Mt Kenya University
- African Nazarene University Nairobi Campus, Nairobi
- University of Nairobi
- Kenyatta University
- Pan Africa Christian University
- South Eastern Kenya University
- Strathmore University
- Machakos University
- Muranga University of Technology
- Kabarak University
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
- Daystar University
- Moi University
- Multimedia University of Kenya
- University of Eastern Africa, Baraton
- Chuka University
- Pwani University
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
- Zetech University
- Egerton University
- Kenya Institute of Social Sciences
- USIU School of Social Science & Humanities
- Africa College Of Social Work
- Kenya Institute of Social Work & Community Development
- Royal College
- Kenya College Of Social & Dev Stud
- College Of Management Sciences
- East Africa Institute Of Certified Studies (ICS College)
Jobs to pursue with a social science course
A PhD, master's, degree, diploma, or certificate in any of the courses above prepares learners for careers in various industries, including marketing, the communication sector, politics, management, and business.
Some of the marketable jobs related to this field include:
- Intelligence analyst
- Human resource manager
- Police officer
- Lawyer
- Public relations manager
- Political consultant
- Social worker
- Professor
- Security manager
- Marketing Manager
- Designer
- Urban planner
- Financial analyst
- Geographer
- Psychologist
- Economist
- Administrative services manager
- Anthropologist
- Clergy or chaplain
- Community services manager
- Compensation and benefits analyst
- Compliance manager
- Computer systems analyst
- Correctional officer
- Counsellor
- Education administrator
- Elementary teacher
- Event planner
- Fundraising manager
- Health educator
- Health services manager
- High school teacher
- Historian
- Information systems analyst
- Investment Analyst
- Journalist
- Laboratory technologist
- Librarian
- Manager
- Market research analyst
- Middle school teacher
- Musician
- Nonprofit manager
- Nurse
- Photographer
- Physician
- Political scientist
- Probation officer
- Programmer
- Researcher
- Scientist
- Special education teacher
- Sociologist
- Software Developer
- Web developer
- Writer
Final words
The best social sciences courses in Kenya cover different areas, including political science, psychology, and economics. Completing a course in this field can lead to many job opportunities in science, law, and business, among others.
Tuko.co.ke shared an article about the most marketable courses in Kenya in 2023. These include agriculture, computer science, medicine, and marketing. With most of these courses, one can work in different economic sectors and even venture into self-employment if need be.
The most marketable courses in Kenya touch on wide-ranging fields. However, marketability often depends on numerous factors, including market saturation, industry trends, and a country's economic and industrial development state.
