Special Education Teaching

a) Introduction to the Department

The Department of Special Education aims to train teachers who contribute to the

development and learning processes of individuals with special needs, who enable them to participate actively in social life as independent and productive individuals, and who are committed

to professional ethics. Setting out with this aim, the Department of Special Education of the Hasan Kalyoncu University

Faculty of Education was established in 2015. The undergraduate degree programs

that had previously been offered separately in earlier years as Teaching for the Intellectually Disabled, Teaching for the Hearing Impaired, Teaching for the Visually Impaired and

Teaching for the Gifted/Talented were merged by the Council of Higher Education

and restructured in 2015 under the name of Special Education Teaching.

The Department of Special Education at Hasan Kalyoncu University became one of the first departments to implement the renewed Special Education Teaching

Program in the 2016-2017 academic year, and

students were admitted to the program at the undergraduate level for the first time. In designing the program, priority was given to elective courses from the specialization area of Intellectual

Disability, and it was aimed that our graduates also gain competencies in different areas of special education, namely Autism Spectrum

Disorder, Learning Disability, Special Talent, and Hearing and

Visual Impairment.

In order for our graduates and teachers working in the field of special education to be able to continue their

graduate education, the Department of Special Education launched its master's program in the 2017-2018 academic year and its doctoral

program as of the 2018-2019 academic year.

b) Post-Graduation Employment Opportunities

Ministry of National Education Appointments

Teachers who graduate from Special Education Teaching can, through their appointment by the Ministry of National Education,

serve in special education classes, special education schools and Guidance and Research Centers (RAM).

Special Education Teaching is one of the branches granted the highest

quotas in KPSS teacher appointments. In recent years, the need for special education teachers in public schools

has steadily increased.

In the 2024, 2025 and 2026 teacher appointments, the branch granted the second-highest quota was Special

Education Teaching.

Special Education Teaching is one of the most in-demand teaching fields in both the public and private sectors.

In KPSS/AGS appointments, quotas of thousands of positions are opened every year, and

there is a chance of appointment with lower scores compared to other branches.

Private Sector Opportunities

Special education and rehabilitation centers

Support education units of private schools

Opening one's own education/consultancy center

Academic Career Opportunities

Working at universities as a research assistant, lecturer or

faculty member by completing master's and doctoral degrees

Contributing to the field through scientific research and publications

Other Fields

They can take part in the social service units of municipalities or in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in projects

related to individuals with disabilities.

They can be employed in institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services.

d) Academic Staff of the Department

● 1 Professor

○ Prof. Dr. Latife ÖZAYDIN

● 3 Assistant Professors

○ Asst. Prof. Merih TOKER

○ Asst. Prof. Emine ERDEN

○ Asst. Prof. Kübra DEMİRÖZ

● 2 Research Assistants

○ Res. Asst. Çiğdem Keleş KARAŞAHİN

○ Res. Asst. Zeynep KURTULAN

e) Student Activities, Societies and Projects

There are numerous student societies operating within our university.

One of these societies, where our students come together in various fields according to their interests and talents,

is the Special Education Student Society. In this society, our students,

in cooperation with faculty members, come together to follow current developments in the field of special education, to share knowledge and

experience, to take part in social responsibility projects and to develop their professional skills,

thereby finding the opportunity to improve themselves both academically

and socially.

Throughout the academic term, the Special Education Teaching program collaborates with many associations, non-governmental

organizations (NGOs) and schools; our students carry out various social, cultural and

volunteer-based activities. In their courses, students are also

guided to participate in such activities and to develop

a sense of social responsibility.

In addition, by preparing projects within the scope of TÜBİTAK University Students Research Projects,

they gain experience in scientific research and practice. In this process, active guidance and

support are also provided by our faculty members in order to support their academic

and social development.

f) Practice and Research Centers and Collaborations

Within the Department of Special Education at Hasan Kalyoncu University, there is a Special Education Practice and

Research Center. In this center, our students have the opportunity to come together with children with special needs,

carry out practice sessions and gain professional experience.

In addition, our curriculum includes practicum courses that begin in the 2nd year and continue

in the 3rd and 4th years.

Gaziantep is a city that offers students rich opportunities in the field of special education.

It is home to important institutions such as the School for the Visually Impaired, the School for the Hearing Impaired, Special Education Practice Schools, the Special

Education Vocational School, RAMs (Guidance and Research Centers), rehabilitation

centers and municipal institutions, for example the Gaziantep Barrier-Free Life Center.

Thanks to the collaborations and protocols established by our university,

our students are directed to these institutions; thus, they have the opportunity to develop their professional skills,

gain experience and build a strong network in their field.