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About the Department

Self-Task (Mission)

     Istanbul Aydın University Department of Special Education was established in the 2016-2017 academic year, depending on the restructuring carried out by the Council of Higher Education in education faculties. The aim of our department is to produce, disseminate and use universal information about individuals with special educational needs and their education, in line with the mission of the university and our department. The purpose of the Special Education Teaching Program is to support individuals with special needs in all age groups (such as hearing, vision, mental disability, autism spectrum disorder, special talent) to reach their developmental potential from early childhood to adulthood, and to provide individual or group education to individuals with special needs. To train special education teachers who can take part in the planning, execution and monitoring of special education and related services.

Our department, which trains teachers for special education teaching who must have some special competencies in addition to the teacher competencies that teachers in general education environments must have, offers prospective teachers opportunities for practices integrated with evidence-based knowledge and technology, and comprehensive teaching practices carried out in different educational environments.

With strong guidance provided to students in lessons, field experiences and practices where evidence-based information is conveyed, our teacher candidates trained in the field become teachers who will prepare individual education programs and adapt teaching and developmental supports to meet the individual educational needs of all children. Our students also have the opportunity to work closely with our faculty members in scientific research and to observe, experience and apply developmental supports.

Istanbul Aydin University, Department of Special Education is a department that has set the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of individuals with special needs. With our scientists who conduct advanced research in the field, our department trains teacher candidates to make a difference in the education of their future students.

Additional points are applied to graduates of child development, child development and care, child development and education departments of vocational and technical secondary education institutions for placement in the program. For the employment of teacher candidates who graduate from the Special Education Program, special education teachers are affiliated with the Ministry of National Education; can work in special education application center schools, special education vocational training centers, special education subclasses (primary school-secondary school-high school), special education school support education classes, Guidance and Research Centers (RAM), private special education and rehabilitation centers and also in relevant departments of universities. They will be able to work as academics. In addition, if they meet the conditions, they can also apply for open classroom teaching positions at Science and Art Centers.

The vision of our program is to train teachers with high creativity who are specialized in the field of special education, who are researchers, principled, open to development, who can achieve the transition from theory to practice very well, in line with the 6 basic qualifications determined by the Council of Higher Education in the education of students with special needs, and to enable individuals with special education needs to live independently and To ensure that they become individuals who can develop their functional academic skills, realize their potential, and be useful to their country and all humanity. In line with the above reasons and our vision, which reveal the necessity of opening the program, we can list the objectives of this program, which also reflects our mission, as follows:

a) To train teachers who can best meet the educational needs of students with special education needs in the formal education environment,

b) To train teachers who follow developing technologies and new pedagogical approaches in the education of students with special education needs

c) To ensure the creation of the necessary course content to train teachers with the above-mentioned qualifications,

d) To ensure that special education teachers are well-equipped in four years, including theoretical and practical training,

e) To provide an educational opportunity for special education teachers to develop their scientific research skills as well as the basic knowledge that will enable them to conduct academic studies in this field.

Regarding departmental opportunities, our teacher candidates have the opportunity to study abroad with minors, double majors, international exchange programs (1 or 2 semesters), and continue to master's programs after graduation.

Regarding career opportunities in the department, special education teachers who graduate from the department are affiliated with the Ministry of National Education; can work in special education application center schools, special education vocational training centers, special education subclasses (primary school-secondary school-high school), special education school support education classes, Guidance and Research Centers (RAM), private special education and rehabilitation centers and also in relevant departments of universities. They will be able to work as academics. In addition, if they meet the conditions, they can also apply for open classroom teaching positions at Science and Art Centers.

Department Facilities

• Minor

• Double major

• Study abroad with international exchange programs (1 or 2 semesters)

• Opportunity to continue master's programs after graduation

Career Opportunities

Regarding career opportunities in the department, special education teachers who graduate from the department are affiliated with the Ministry of National Education; can work in special education application center schools, special education vocational training centers, special education subclasses (primary school-secondary school-high school), special education school support education classes, Guidance and Research Centers (RAM), private special education and rehabilitation centers and also in relevant departments of universities. They will be able to work as academics. In addition, if they meet the conditions, they can also apply for open classroom teaching positions at Science and Art Centers.

In line with the reports in the literature, the increase in the frequency of individuals with disabilities increases the need for special education teachers in our country day by day. Considering the quality of education provided at our university, our graduating students have a high guarantee of finding employment in the field.

Dr. Lecturer Member Mine AKKAYNAK

Special Education Teaching

head of department