What is the Child Development Program?

The Child Development Program is an associate degree program established to meet the need for education and counseling for children to live in a healthy environment. The aim of the program is to train qualified professionals who provide services to children, families, and communities in this field with a supportive education program that supports the development of children aged 0-18 who show normal development and have special needs.

The program aims to train professionals who can effectively use the necessary methods, technical services, and technologies for field-related practices, produce solutions to unforeseen problems encountered in practice, take responsibility in working groups, have the ability to work individually, establish effective communication, demonstrate tolerance, patience, and have a level of foreign language proficiency sufficient to follow innovations in the field. With the education provided, individuals are equipped with knowledge, skills, qualifications, and awareness in safety, health, and environmental protection measures, with a consciousness of lifelong learning in both universal and cultural values, professional ethics, and awareness, and constantly renew themselves by following sectoral developments in science and technology.

What Courses Are Taken in the Child Development Program?

The duration of the Child Development Program is 2 years. Throughout the education period, courses such as child development, child nutrition, child health and diseases, learning and teaching techniques, play, drama, behavior management, first aid, child psychology and mental health, child and communication, art and creativity, children's literature and media, family education, positive psychology and communication skills are taught. Vocational courses are supported by practices in private and public institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in the second year.

Transition to Bachelor's Programs through Dikey Geçiş Sınavı (DGS) from the Child Development Program

Graduates of the Child Development Program can also benefit from the provisions of the Regulation on the Continuation of Vocational Schools and Open Education Associate Degree Graduates to Bachelor's Education, and if quotas are opened in their fields, they can register for bachelor's programs through the DGS.

Job Opportunities

Graduates who successfully complete the Child Development Associate Degree Program have the opportunity to be employed in preschool education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education, private education institutions, children's clinics of hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health, rehabilitation centers, and institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Policies.

Who Can Register for the Program?

Students are admitted to the Child Development Associate Degree Program through the Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı (YKS) conducted by the Öğrenci Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi (ÖSYM). Those who have scored at least 150 and above from the Temel Yeterlilik Testi (TYT) score type in the 2019 Öğrenci Seçme ve Yerleştirme Sistemi (ÖSYS) preference procedures are entitled to register for this program within the quota.

Graduation Requirements

Students must take 120 ECTS credits of courses in the Child Development Associate Degree Program, successfully complete all courses without FF, YZ, or DZ grades, have a General Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.00, and fulfill other obligations in order to graduate. Graduation cannot be achieved with fewer credits. In addition, students must complete their summer internships for 30 working days, totaling 240 hours, at the end of the second semester in order to graduate from the program.