TurkishProgram History
Preschool Education Program is an undergraduate program within the Department of Basic Education of the Faculty of Education. In the program, there are compulsory, field knowledge, teaching profession knowledge, general culture and practice courses. In addition, students take elective courses. Courses are carried out theoretically and practically. The theoretical courses in the program are given in technology-supported environments. Applied courses are carried out in two semesters under the supervision of Practice Instructor and Practice Teacher in cooperation with the Faculty of Education, Provincial Directorate of National Education, Practice Primary Schools and Kindergartens. Preschool Education Program was established in 2002-2003 academic year in order to train preschool teachers who will work in nursery, kindergarten, kindergarten, special class, children’s club and study centers in public and private institutions. The program started to accept students starting from 2002-2003 academic year. The student quota of the program is 60+2 students in regular education. The Preschool Education Program, located in Afyon Kocatepe University Faculty of Education building, serves with 3 Associate Professors, 2 Assistant Professors, 1 Lecturer and 2 Research Assistants. Decisions about the program are taken by the department board.
Program Content
The primary aim of the Department of Preschool Education is to train teachers who develop positive attitudes towards teaching and have professional skills in their field. Teachers graduating from this program are expected to be a model for their students in terms of personal and professional life, to follow innovations in their field for their professional development and to have effective communication skills. In addition, this program attaches importance to the critical thinking skills and professional development of prospective teachers. Students who complete the program can work as teachers in kindergartens and independent kindergartens of primary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education and in kindergartens, nurseries and children’s clubs affiliated to private institutions and organizations.
Admission Requirements
(1) High School Diploma, (2) Placement through a nationwide centralized student selection and placement examination organized by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Candidates gain access to programs based on their composite score, which is made up of their central exam scores and their high school GPA.
Degree Awarded
Students who successfully complete all of the courses available in the program (240 ECTS credits in total) and have a GPA of at least 2.00 out of 4.00 are awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Preschool Teaching.
Transition to Upper Level
Candidates who have successfully completed their undergraduate education can study in graduate programs provided that they get enough points from exams conducted by ÖSYM such as ALES and YDS and/or have sufficient knowledge of English language.
Graduation Requirements
In order to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the Preschool Teaching Program, students must complete at least 240 ECTS by being successful in all compulsory and elective courses they take and have a weighted GPA of at least 2.00.
Graduate Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Preschool Teaching Program can work as teachers in kindergartens and independent kindergartens in primary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education and in kindergartens, nurseries and children’s clubs affiliated to private institutions and organizations. They can also apply to master’s and doctoral programs in the field of Preschool Education or other disciplines that accept students from this field.
Measurement and Evaluation
In each semester, students are subjected to midterm exams, presentations, projects, seminars, quizzes, homework, laboratories or similar in-semester studies and final exams. The sum of a certain percentage of the semester work and exam of a course and a certain percentage of the final exam determines the success grade for the course. The grades of the mid-term studies and final exam are given out of 100 points. Students are required to attend 70% of the theoretical courses and not less than 80% of the practical courses. Students who do not meet any of these conditions must take the semester/year-end
cannot take the exams.
For each course, one of the following grades is given to the student by the instructor of the course. Letter grades and their range in the hundredth system are as follows:
DEGREE OF ACHIEVEMENT LETTER GRADE COEFFICIENT OF ACHIEVEMENT PERCENTAGE EQUIVALENT
PERFECT AA 4.0 90-100
WELL BA 3.5 85-89
GOOD BB 3.0 75-84
MEDIUM CB 2.5 70-74
PASSES CC 2.0 60-69
CONDITIONAL PASS DC 1.5 50-59
UNSUCCESSFUL DD 1.0 40 – 49
UNSUCCESSFUL FD 0.5 30 – 39
FAIL FF 0.0 29 and below
Students with a Semester Weighted Grade Point Average of 2.25 and above are considered successful in the semester/year courses in which they receive a DC letter grade and this is indicated with DC+.
For more detailed information, please refer to the “Exams and Evaluation Principles, Learning Period” section of Afyon Kocatepe University Associate and Undergraduate Education and Examination Regulations published in the Official Gazette dated 27.08.2011 and numbered 28038.