Special Education in Early Childhood
I am Professor Yeşim GÜLEÇ ASLAN, the Head of Department of the Early Childhood Special Education Master's Program with a thesis. This program is a part of the Special Education Department and holds the distinction of being the second program of its kind in Turkey. We established this program at Istanbul Medeniyet University Graduate Institute, following the establishment of a similar program at Anadolu University.The unique aspect of our program lies in its interdisciplinary nature. We have collaborated with faculty members from both the Special Education Department and the Pre-School Department to develop a comprehensive curriculum. Our program, which commenced in the academic year 2019-2020, aims to train professionals and scholars who can provide high-quality services to individuals with special needs. To achieve this, we offer theoretical and practical training in both special education and pre-school education.
Our program has specific admission requirements, including core exams such as the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) and a foreign language test. We also consider the candidates' graduation grade point averages as a percentage. Additionally, we conduct a science exam, typically in written form but occasionally orally, based on the discretion of our faculty members. This interdisciplinary approach is a key strength of our program. As a result, we have a diverse and extensive staff comprising professors from various departments within the Special Education Department. Our faculty members specialize in areas such as gifted education, autism, intellectual disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, as well as typical development in the pre-school setting.Moreover, our program benefits from the involvement of teachers from the Classroom Education Department and the Assessment and Evaluation Department, as it falls within the scope of early childhood education. This collaborative effort enhances the educational experience for our students.In terms of program structure, our master's program spans a total of two years, following the standard format of classical master's programs. In the first semester of the first year, students are required to take two compulsory courses and three elective courses. We offer a wide range of elective courses, with approximately 20 options available for students to choose from. In the second semester, students take two compulsory courses and two elective courses. Upon successful defense of their thesis and completion of the required coursework, students are awarded the title of "Science Specialist" upon graduation at the end of the second year.Thank you for considering our Early Childhood Special Education Master's Program with a thesis. We wish all applicants success in their endeavors and extend an invitation to join us at Istanbul Medeniyet University Graduate Institute.In the second semester of the first year, students in our department begin taking seminar courses, which hold great importance for us. These courses play a crucial role in determining the thesis topic and proposal, as well as guiding students on how to carry out their research. Under the guidance of their seminar course teacher and their assigned thesis advisor, students collaborate to develop their thesis topics. In the second year, students work closely with their academic advisor and thesis teacher to complete their thesis based on the chosen topic.In addition to thesis advisory, our students have access to academic guidance from their preferred teachers or relevant lecturers. They can seek advice on course selection, elective courses, participation in scientific programs, award programs, and congresses. This guidance enables students to engage in various scientific research activities beyond their theses.
We place a strong emphasis on volunteer work, particularly because it holds significant importance in the field of special education. Special education is founded on voluntary efforts, and thus we encourage our graduate students to engage in community service activities voluntarily. We provide consultancy services to students to facilitate their involvement in community service projects, and students actively carry out these initiatives.Our students have access to excellent facilities for their studies. They can conduct their research in the classroom and library building located on the North Campus, where the central library of Istanbul Medeniyet University is situated. After attending classes in the classroom building, students can utilize the wide range of study opportunities and departments available in the library. Furthermore, they have the opportunity to engage in various application and research projects at the "Autism Practice and Research Center" operated by the Special Education Department on the North Campus.
We also encourage our students to participate in programs such as ERASMUS and Farabi, and prepare them to benefit from projects offered by institutions like TÜBİTAK (Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council) and ISTKA (Istanbul Development Agency). Students receive support from their advisors in pursuing these opportunities.For international students, we have an annual quota in our program. To apply, they must hold an equivalence certificate from the Higher Education Board (YÖK) in the relevant undergraduate field. They are also required to provide documents indicating their proficiency in Turkish at a C1 level from a Turkish teaching center. Additionally, they need to meet the language proficiency requirements specified by YÖK for languages such as English and French through central exams. Detailed information regarding scores, percentages, and application procedures for these requirements can be found on the Graduate Education Institute's website.The university's central location in Istanbul is a significant advantage. In terms of physical facilities, our library building and classroom building provide favorable conditions for students. Moreover, in terms of quality, our program offers interdisciplinary education, equipping students with well-rounded knowledge in both special education and pre-school fields. They have the opportunity to learn from expert faculty members in various disciplines. Through our continuous involvement in projects and community service activities, we ensure that our students can independently carry out these initiatives in the future and actively contribute to their field.I extend my best wishes to all students who will be taking the exam. We eagerly await your participation in the Early Childhood Special Education Department Master's Program with a Thesis at Istanbul Medeniyet University.
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Our program has specific admission requirements, including core exams such as the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) and a foreign language test. We also consider the candidates' graduation grade point averages as a percentage. Additionally, we conduct a science exam, typically in written form but occasionally orally, based on the discretion of our faculty members. This interdisciplinary approach is a key strength of our program. As a result, we have a diverse and extensive staff comprising professors from various departments within the Special Education Department. Our faculty members specialize in areas such as gifted education, autism, intellectual disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, as well as typical development in the pre-school setting.Moreover, our program benefits from the involvement of teachers from the Classroom Education Department and the Assessment and Evaluation Department, as it falls within the scope of early childhood education. This collaborative effort enhances the educational experience for our students.In terms of program structure, our master's program spans a total of two years, following the standard format of classical master's programs. In the first semester of the first year, students are required to take two compulsory courses and three elective courses. We offer a wide range of elective courses, with approximately 20 options available for students to choose from. In the second semester, students take two compulsory courses and two elective courses. Upon successful defense of their thesis and completion of the required coursework, students are awarded the title of "Science Specialist" upon graduation at the end of the second year.Thank you for considering our Early Childhood Special Education Master's Program with a thesis. We wish all applicants success in their endeavors and extend an invitation to join us at Istanbul Medeniyet University Graduate Institute.In the second semester of the first year, students in our department begin taking seminar courses, which hold great importance for us. These courses play a crucial role in determining the thesis topic and proposal, as well as guiding students on how to carry out their research. Under the guidance of their seminar course teacher and their assigned thesis advisor, students collaborate to develop their thesis topics. In the second year, students work closely with their academic advisor and thesis teacher to complete their thesis based on the chosen topic.In addition to thesis advisory, our students have access to academic guidance from their preferred teachers or relevant lecturers. They can seek advice on course selection, elective courses, participation in scientific programs, award programs, and congresses. This guidance enables students to engage in various scientific research activities beyond their theses.
We place a strong emphasis on volunteer work, particularly because it holds significant importance in the field of special education. Special education is founded on voluntary efforts, and thus we encourage our graduate students to engage in community service activities voluntarily. We provide consultancy services to students to facilitate their involvement in community service projects, and students actively carry out these initiatives.Our students have access to excellent facilities for their studies. They can conduct their research in the classroom and library building located on the North Campus, where the central library of Istanbul Medeniyet University is situated. After attending classes in the classroom building, students can utilize the wide range of study opportunities and departments available in the library. Furthermore, they have the opportunity to engage in various application and research projects at the "Autism Practice and Research Center" operated by the Special Education Department on the North Campus.
We also encourage our students to participate in programs such as ERASMUS and Farabi, and prepare them to benefit from projects offered by institutions like TÜBİTAK (Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council) and ISTKA (Istanbul Development Agency). Students receive support from their advisors in pursuing these opportunities.For international students, we have an annual quota in our program. To apply, they must hold an equivalence certificate from the Higher Education Board (YÖK) in the relevant undergraduate field. They are also required to provide documents indicating their proficiency in Turkish at a C1 level from a Turkish teaching center. Additionally, they need to meet the language proficiency requirements specified by YÖK for languages such as English and French through central exams. Detailed information regarding scores, percentages, and application procedures for these requirements can be found on the Graduate Education Institute's website.The university's central location in Istanbul is a significant advantage. In terms of physical facilities, our library building and classroom building provide favorable conditions for students. Moreover, in terms of quality, our program offers interdisciplinary education, equipping students with well-rounded knowledge in both special education and pre-school fields. They have the opportunity to learn from expert faculty members in various disciplines. Through our continuous involvement in projects and community service activities, we ensure that our students can independently carry out these initiatives in the future and actively contribute to their field.I extend my best wishes to all students who will be taking the exam. We eagerly await your participation in the Early Childhood Special Education Department Master's Program with a Thesis at Istanbul Medeniyet University.
