Psychology

The Department of Psychology at Hasan Kalyoncu University began its educational activities in the 2012-2013 academic year. The main aim of our department is to train researcher and practitioner psychologists who are competent at national and international levels, committed to ethical principles, follow scientific developments and contribute to the field. In line with this goal, in addition to a four-year undergraduate education, our students are offered academic and social environments that support multifaceted development.

Academic Staff

Three professors, one associate professor, six assistant professors and four research assistants work in the Department of Psychology. The areas of expertise of our academic staff include various fields such as clinical psychology, social psychology, educational psychology, and child and adolescent psychiatry.

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Saadet Öztürk (Head of Department) works in the field of clinical psychology and conducts research on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and willpower.
• Prof. Dr. Hanna Nita Scherler works in the field of clinical psychology and is a Gestalt therapist accredited by the European Association for Gestalt Therapy. She works on psychotherapy approaches.
• Prof. Dr. Osman Tolga Arıcak conducts studies in the fields of educational psychology and cyberpsychology. He is also a member of the Science Board of the Turkish Green Crescent Society.
• Prof. Dr. Şaziye Senem Başgül is a child and adolescent psychiatrist. She served as the founding chair of the Commission for Children with Special Needs of the Child and Youth Mental Health Association.
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Dinç works in the field of clinical psychology and conducts research on addictions, psychological resilience and Narrative Therapy. He is also the President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society.
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Feyza Topçu works in the field of clinical psychology and conducts research on psychological resilience, moral injury and qualitative research methods.
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Batuhan Kurtoğlu is a clinical psychologist. He carries out studies on Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, trauma and self-compassion.
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Şeyma Sevgican Yardımcı works in the field of social psychology and conducts research on morality, emotion and cognition.
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Canahmet Boz is a clinical psychologist. He carries out studies in the fields of Narrative Therapy, psycho-oncology and addiction.
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Merve Gülçin Tutlu Temizyürek is a clinical psychologist and conducts studies in the field of child and adolescent psychology.
• Res. Asst. Şevval Düzgün Kanlı works in the fields of experimental and cognitive psychology and conducts research on morality, emotion and cognition.
• Res. Asst. Zeynep Büşra Kaya works in the field of clinical psychology and conducts research on close relationships, cyberstalking and grief.
• Res. Asst. Emine Hilal Mutlu works in the field of developmental psychology and conducts research on intervention programs for children and adolescents and on neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Res. Asst. Sinem Yaşar Sarı works in the field of social psychology and conducts research on emotions and morality.

Education

The duration of education is four years. An optional preparatory year may be taken. During their education, our students take courses from expert instructors in the field in a way that enables them to master the science of psychology and its subfields. In addition, through the compulsory internship carried out in the summer term of the third year, our students have the opportunity to combine their theoretical knowledge with practice.

Our department offers the opportunity to study at universities in Poland and Romania through Erasmus+ agreements supporting international mobility. At the same time, students of the Hasan Kalyoncu University Department of Psychology enjoy an active student life. Under the leadership of the Psychology Club, many academic and social events have been organized to date, and numerous events have been held in which our students can express themselves and gain experience in the field.

Our Graduate Programs

Another important aspect of the Department of Psychology is the graduate education opportunities offered after the undergraduate degree. In addition to thesis and non-thesis master's programs in Clinical Psychology, Addiction Psychology, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology, there is also a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology. Some of our graduates continue their graduate education at Hasan Kalyoncu University, while others do so at prestigious universities in Turkey and abroad.

Our Activities

Many activities such as seminars and panels are organized every year to bring our students together with expert names in the field. Psychology Agendas, for which we set a current topic as the theme each semester, Case Discussions, in which a clinical case is addressed in its various dimensions, and Birikim Seminars, which will shed light on our students' career journeys, are some of these activities. In addition, with activities held regularly every year, such as Psychology Solutions, Multidisciplinary Approaches and Psychology Spring, we aim to contribute to the knowledge and experience of our students.

The Psychology Society was also awarded as one of the three most active societies in the 2024-2025 academic year. Through the events organized by the Psychology Society, contributions are made to students' professional and academic development. The Questions in My Pocket talk series, in which topics of curiosity are addressed with experts, film analyses examining psychological themes, workshops aimed at providing experience, and seminars on current topics in psychology, where innovations in the field are discussed, are carried out on a regular basis. In addition, peer learning is supported through the Internship Diaries event, in which students doing internships at different institutions share their experiences.

Additionally, acting with an approach that encourages scientific production, our department publishes the Journal of Psychology Research (Psikoloji Araştırmaları Dergisi), a peer-reviewed publication featuring original academic studies. This journal was launched in order to enable our students to publish.

Post-Graduation Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Department of Psychology have broad career opportunities in the public and private sectors. Graduates can work in various public institutions, primarily the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Justice and the General Directorate of Security. In addition, there are opportunities to work in hospitals, community mental health centers, rehabilitation centers, special education and counseling centers, human resources units, research centers and non-governmental organizations. Graduates who complete their graduate education can specialize in different subfields of psychology and pursue academic or applied careers.

The Department of Psychology at Hasan Kalyoncu University aims to provide its students not only with academic success but also with professional vision, ethical responsibility and social sensitivity. Prospective students who choose our university during the preference period will find the opportunity to develop themselves in the field of psychology with a strong academic staff, an up-to-date curriculum and a supportive student environment.