Special Education

Hello. My name is Hatice Şengül ERDEM. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at Istanbul Medeniyet University's Faculty of Education Sciences. I also serve as the Vice Chair of the department and the Deputy Director of the Autism Application and Research Center. Istanbul Medeniyet University's Faculty of Education Sciences launched its undergraduate program in the field of Special Education in the 2022 academic year. Our aim is to educate dynamic teachers who are knowledgeable about evidence-based practices and capable of implementing current approaches, methods, and techniques in the education of individuals with special needs. Our department's academic staff includes scholars who work with individuals and children with various special needs. We have researchers engaged in academic and field-related activities related to individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, hearing impairments, visual impairments, and gifted individuals. This diverse academic profile strengthens and enriches our department, making it dynamic and robust. The Special Education Department obtained its own accreditation and program approval outside the framework set by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in 2020. Consequently, we follow our own program to train teacher candidates. In the first year of our program, we focus on introductory courses in both the fall and spring semesters, with an emphasis on special education introductory courses. In the second and third years, we continue with a curriculum that places a strong emphasis on special education courses. In the spring semester of the second year, we offer community service applications, while in the fall semester of the third year, we provide application and observation opportunities in inclusive and special education settings. At the second and third-year levels, our students start taking elective courses in their field, vocational knowledge, and general culture. In the fourth year, we still have special education courses. We offer two practical courses: teaching practice in the fall semester and teaching practice in the spring semester. To graduate, students need to complete 240 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits. They are required to take 30 credits per semester. Additionally, by taking a total of 6 elective courses in their field, 5 vocational knowledge courses, and 3 general culture elective courses, they fulfill the graduation requirements. At the Autism Practice and Research Center, we conduct activities to support individuals with special needs, their families, and teachers working with them. We also carry out awareness-raising activities for the benefit of society through our Autism Practice and Research center. In the special education department, we have two teaching practice courses in the fourth year: one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester. Within the scope of these courses, we place our teacher candidates in educational settings where children with special needs are being educated and expect them to fulfill the necessary requirements by conducting practical activities in these settings for two semesters.
Our ongoing efforts include finding partners and accessing universities for collaboration. Faculty members of the department participate in national and international conferences related to education and special education every year. The National Special Education Congress is one of the conferences we prioritize attending. This congress provides us with the opportunity to get to know academics, families, and students working in the field of special education together and share our scientific research. It also serves as a platform for establishing collaborations with other universities. Our graduates can work in special education schools, special education classes, guidance and research centers affiliated with the Ministry of National Education, where individuals with special needs receive education. They can also work as special education teachers in special education and rehabilitation centers under the Ministry of National Education. Additionally, they have the opportunity to work in foundations and associations related to special education. They can serve as special education teachers in schools affiliated with these foundations and associations. In the future, if our students face challenges, we aim to guide them towards our academicians who work with different individuals with special needs to help them overcome potential difficulties. Istanbul Medeniyet University's central location in the city, ease of transportation, availability of various housing options for students, easy access to environments where individuals with special needs receive education and where internships can be conducted, and the presence of different faculty members in our department are among the opportunities provided by our university. Furthermore, our library facilitates easy access to information. I recommend that candidates who choose our department visit educational environments where individuals with special needs receive education, observe and engage in discussions with special education teachers who work with individuals with special needs before making their choice. I wish all candidates success in the university entrance exam. We look forward to welcoming you all to the Department of Special Education at Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Educational Sciences.