The Child Development Undergraduate Program at Istanbul Aydın University, Faculty of Health Sciences, aims to educate qualified child development specialists who can provide preventive, protective, and supportive services by addressing the developmental processes of children and adolescents aged 0–18 through a holistic and interdisciplinary approach. The program is structured in line with national needs to enhance child well-being at the individual, family, and societal levels.

The educational approach of the program is based on student-centered, practice-oriented, and evidence-based learning principles. Theoretical knowledge is supported through field practices, observation, assessment, field studies, and internships, with the aim of enabling students to develop their professional competencies in real-life practice settings. The curriculum of the Child Development Undergraduate Program is designed in accordance with the Child Development National Core Curriculum and the Turkish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education. The program includes foundational and professional courses in child development, as well as courses on early intervention, family counseling, child health, children with special needs, assessment and observation techniques, research methods, ethics, field practices, and internships. Graduates of the program receive the title of “Child Development Specialist” and are employed as professionals who are capable of assessing children’s developmental needs, identifying at-risk children at an early stage, planning and implementing early intervention programs, providing guidance within family counseling processes, and acting in accordance with professional ethical principles and social responsibility.

The program learning outcomes aim to enhance students’ professional knowledge, skills, and competencies, strengthen their problem-solving and practical application abilities, encourage the adoption of an interdisciplinary collaboration approach, and promote the development of lifelong learning competencies.

Graduates may be employed as child development specialists, experts, consultants, administrators, auditors, or founders in public and private hospitals, Healthy Life Centers, Child Advocacy Centers, preschool education institutions, special education and rehabilitation centers, child services units affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services (Child and Youth Centers, Children’s Homes, Protection, Care and Rehabilitation Centers, Family Counseling Centers), special education institutions and Guidance and Research Centers under the Ministry of National Education, Child Units of the General Directorate of Security, non-governmental organizations, as well as national and international organizations such as UNICEF and the ILO. In addition, graduates may be employed in the preparation and implementation of children’s, youth, and educational programs on radio and television, children’s theaters and films, the development of publications such as books, magazines, and newspapers for children, and the production of educational toys. Graduates may also pursue academic careers as academicians at universities by continuing their graduate education.

The Child Development Undergraduate Program at Istanbul Aydın University, Faculty of Health Sciences, aims to educate professionally competent child development specialists within a quality assurance–oriented framework, supported by its expert academic staff, practice-based educational approach, stakeholder involvement, and continuous improvement processes.