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

The mission of the Department of Child Development is to train child development specialists who are able to evaluate children’s development holistically through biological, psychological, social, cultural, and rights-based dimensions; who can think critically, produce evidence-based knowledge and practice, have a strong sense of ethical responsibility, are open to lifelong learning, and embrace interdisciplinary collaboration. The Department aims to strengthen students’ professional competence, practical skills, and employability through education and training processes that are aligned with national and international quality standards and focused on learning outcomes and continuous improvement. Through child-, family-, and society-oriented research, practice, and community engagement activities, the Department considers it a fundamental responsibility to generate innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions in the field of child development.

Our Vision

The vision of the Department of Child Development is to be an innovative and sustainable department that responds to children’s developmental needs, the empowerment of families, and the changing needs of society through a scientific, ethical, inclusive, and rights-based approach, in alignment with national and international quality standards in education, research, practice, and community engagement processes. The Department aims to become a leading academic structure that produces evidence-based knowledge in the field of child development, strengthens interdisciplinary collaborations, supports the professional competence and employability of its graduates, and increases its visibility and impact on international scientific platforms.

Student Clubs

Within our department, there are two student clubs: “Children’s Shadows Club” and “Awareness and Solidarity Club.” Students actively participate in organizing extracurricular activities; within the scope of events planned for special days and weeks, they set up stands on our campuses, prepare posters, and organize donation campaigns. In addition, they make significant contributions to their resumes through the podcast broadcasts they conduct on Radio Gedik.

Double Major Opportunity

Our department students have the opportunity to pursue a double major with the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Nursing, and Department of Psychology.