Preschool Education

Greetings, I am Özlem Yurt TARAKÇI, an associate professor specializing in pre-school education at Istanbul Medeniyet University's Faculty of Educational Sciences. Our department was established to address the postgraduate education needs of educators and aspiring teachers in the field of pre-school education. We also provide guidance to individuals planning their careers in this field, supporting them in accessing current research, and fostering national and international collaborations.
Our pre-school education programs, both at the master's and doctoral levels, encompass a range of compulsory courses such as advanced research processes, statistics, and seminars. Additionally, students have the opportunity to choose elective courses from various fields. For admission to the doctoral program in pre-school education, candidates should have successfully completed a thesis-based master's program in pre-school education, early childhood special education, or child development education. Individuals from other disciplines must achieve a minimum score of 70 in ALES (Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam), score 70 or above in a foreign language proficiency exam, and hold a graduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75.Our esteemed academic staff brings diverse expertise to the department and actively engages in national and international publications, as well as research projects funded by institutions such as TÜBİTAK (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) and the European Union. Through our master's and doctoral programs in pre-school education, we provide a supportive environment where students can easily access their academic advisors during specified hours. Our faculty members are committed to assisting students with academic career planning, participation in research projects, and engagement in national and international conferences.Furthermore, students have access to the extensive resources of Istanbul Medeniyet University Central Library, both physically and online. Our department also features a well-equipped drama workshop, which serves as a platform for various activities and some of our classes. Additionally, we have a children's science education and research center, which offers comprehensive support for student involvement in diverse studies.
Through coordinated ERASMUS and Farabi exchange programs, our students have the opportunity to study in different countries. Currently, exchange programs in the field of pre-school education are available in Bulgaria and Latvia. International candidates can also apply to our master's and doctoral programs, subject to the same admission criteria as domestic applicants. Examinations such as ALES and language proficiency tests, as well as internationally recognized exams, are considered valid for admission.
Graduates of our master's and doctoral programs in pre-school education possess the skills necessary to excel in various positions, including management, teaching, and project coordination within the field. Recognizing the existing doctoral programs offered by private universities and one state university in Istanbul, we aim to contribute to meeting the growing demand for specialized education in this field. We provide comprehensive support for students' academic progress and career planning, leveraging our extensive academic staff, who possess expertise in different areas of pre-school education.
We extend our best wishes to individuals aspiring to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in pre-school education and encourage them to apply to our esteemed department at Istanbul Medeniyet University. We eagerly await your arrival.