Child Development

The Child Development Program, which operates under the Department of Child Care and Youth Services within the Vocational School of Health Services at KTO Karatay University, was established in 2016. The program was structured as an associate degree program that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical training in order to train qualified professionals in the field of child development. According to the official ECTS/Bologna Information System, the program duration is two years, the total credit load is 120 ECTS, the language of instruction is Turkish, the student admission type is TYT, and the mode of education is daytime education. The program also includes an internship component.

Since its establishment, the program has aimed to train graduates who can recognize the developmental characteristics of children aged 0–18, support children’s healthy development, communicate effectively with children and families, and possess basic professional competencies for working with children with special needs and children at risk. In addition to providing the professional knowledge and skills required in the field, the program’s educational activities also cover areas such as children’s rights, prevention of child neglect and abuse, developmental support, family education, and practical professional experience.

The Child Development Program is one of the health-oriented vocational education programs carried out within the Vocational School of Health Services. Graduates of the program are awarded an associate degree diploma and can be employed in preschool education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education, special education institutions, institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services, children’s clubs, children’s publishing, the toy industry, and various other fields related to child development.

The official history information states that the program was established in 2016 and that its educational activities are carried out by three academic staff members. In this respect, the Child Development Program has continued its development since its establishment as a program that aims to train graduates who are professionally competent in the field of child development, open to development, aware of ethical responsibilities, and equipped with practical skills.