Child Development

The Department of Child Development educates Child Development Specialists who can assess all developmental domains (cognitive, language, motor, social, emotional, and self-care) of children aged 0-18, including those with normal development, gifted abilities, disabilities, in need of protection, working children, refugees, and those in conflict with the law, as well as children hospitalized. They prepare developmental education programs based on these assessments and provide services to families, educators, and society. Child development specialists are a crucial professional group contributing to the formation of a physically and psychologically healthy, inquisitive, critical, questioning, morally and culturally grounded, entrepreneurial, and innovative society.

Our curriculum provides students with competencies to determine children’s developmental levels, monitor their progress, prepare developmentally appropriate programs, create learning environments suitable for developmental needs, and offer consultancy to families, individuals working in child development, institutions, and organizations related to the field.

Courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters each year. Students who complete a total of 240 ECTS credits of courses by the end of the 8th semester, along with completing the practical courses, qualify for graduation. The program, exempt from or after completing the preparatory class, must be completed in a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 7 years.

Graduates of this program work as Child Development Specialists in various private and public institutions.

Our Mission

Our mission is to educate Child Development Specialists who are critical thinkers, respectful of human rights, open to lifelong learning, embrace a multidisciplinary working approach, possess professional competence, and adhere to ethical and universal values. We aim to provide education and training at international standards, conduct research and applications, be sensitive to societal issues, and develop innovative practices.

Our Vision

Our vision is to shape the policies related to child development in our country, make a difference with education, research, and community service practices in the field of health sciences, and become a department that is followed and cited on international scientific platforms, creating both national and global impact.