Spiritual Counseling and Guidance

My name is Zuhal AĞILKAYA ŞAHİN, and I am an Associate Professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University's Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance. Our department offers a program in psychological counseling and guidance that focuses on providing both spiritual and psychological counseling services. We aim to support individuals in their spiritual and psychological needs by offering theoretical and practical knowledge in this field. We prioritize the development of practical skills alongside theoretical education.
Since 2021, we have been offering a non-thesis master's program in psychological counseling and guidance. In this program, students have the option to graduate by completing a project or a graduation assignment after the second semester. Candidates who have completed a 4-year degree in psychology, psychological counseling and guidance, nursing, theology, Islamic sciences, or social services from recognized universities in our country are eligible to apply. We do not require the ALES (Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Exam) for admission.Our students take five courses each semester and graduate upon successful completion of these courses and the submission of their projects at the end of the semester. Our faculty members are experts in their respective fields, with extensive training and academic publications both in Turkey and abroad. As a result, our students have the opportunity to learn directly from these field experts who possess theoretical and practical knowledge.
The courses in our program aim to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in psychological counseling. Course materials include the works of our professors as well as current resources. Each semester, students choose a total of five courses, three of which are compulsory and two are elective. Our classes are conducted in person at our South Campus in Göztepe.
Throughout the semester, our students are assigned academic advisors who provide guidance and support for their assignments, courses, and end-of-semester projects. We encourage our students to participate in academic activities related to their interests and project topics, and we provide the necessary academic support for them to publish their projects as academic papers.Our students have access to cafeterias and dining halls on our campuses, where they can enjoy meals. They can also utilize our central library, which is equipped with all the necessary resources for their academic studies, homework, and coursework.Our program stands out as the first and only spiritual counseling and guidance program offered under the Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance in our country. This unique program provides students with the opportunity to receive counseling, knowledge, and skills directly from experts in the field of psychological counseling. They can also collaborate and learn from academics who possess theoretical and practical expertise in spiritual counseling and have received their education abroad.For foreign candidates, the requirements include holding a bachelor's degree that is recognized as equivalent and providing a document from TÖMER (Turkish Teaching Application and Research Center) indicating a C1 level of proficiency in Turkish. The Presidency of Religious Affairs serves as the official governing body for spiritual counseling and guidance, and they occasionally appoint guidance and psychological counseling staff. As the first and only university to offer the spiritual counseling and guidance program under the Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance, our university ensures that students gain the necessary psychological counseling knowledge, techniques, and skills directly from field experts. Spiritual counseling courses are taught by experienced academics who have received education and training abroad, bringing both theoretical and practical experience to the classroom.
We place significant emphasis on the development of practical knowledge and skills in addition to theoretical knowledge in our courses. This practical approach is incorporated through various exercises and activities. As a result, our program holds a distinct and advantageous position in our country.We extend our best wishes for success to all candidates applying to our program and eagerly await their arrival at Istanbul Medeniyet University's Psychological Counseling and Guidance Program.