Family Counseling and Education

History

The Family Counseling and Education Master’s Programs (with and without thesis) are interdisciplinary programs affiliated with the Graduate Education Institute of Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, which includes the departments of Social Work, Child Development, and Nursing. The Department of Family Counseling and Education was established on July 16, 2021. It offers both thesis and non-thesis (evening education) master’s programs and accepted its first students in September 2021. The program is interdisciplinary, with seven faculty members from fields such as Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, and Nursing. Our students have easy access to a variety of facilities on campus, including the library, dining hall, cafeteria, and indoor and outdoor sports areas.

Mission

The mission of the Family Counseling and Education Master's program is to provide high-quality education to train experts who will support individuals, couples, and families, and to conduct research in the field.

Vision

The vision of the Family Counseling and Education Master's program is to be an internationally leading program that conducts research to help individuals, couples, and families reach their full potential.

Program Introduction

The Family Counseling and Education Master's Program is a graduate program where knowledge related to the family is learned, and the acquired knowledge is analyzed and synthesized for practical application. The family is one of the most important institutions that make up society, as individuals generally live under a family roof. Understanding the family structure and relationships is crucial for comprehending individuals and society.

Program Objectives

The Family Counseling Master's Program aims to train experts who will approach the most common serious social and psychological problems in the field of mental health through family-based assessments and interventions, adhering to international ethical standards. Another objective of the master’s program is to cultivate professionals who can analyze family systems and structures, possess up-to-date knowledge and skills in family counseling, and base their practices on essential principles important to family counseling. These professionals will systematically identify family needs and provide holistic care and monitoring through an interdisciplinary team approach, while effectively communicating and collaborating in their work. The program also seeks to promote couple, and marriage therapy models developed through academic research to the private sector and public institutions providing mental health services, thanks to the family counselors it trains.

This program also aims to enable individuals to understand the issues they may encounter within their family systems and family life cycles and to apply this knowledge to strengthen the family system. In this context, program graduates will play an active role in the preservation and development of the family institution in the face of rapid societal transformations.

Program Educational Objectives

1.

Understanding the importance of healthy development and education for individuals and families,

2.

Being able to utilize advanced theoretical and practical knowledge/skills in the field,

3.

Being able to communicate effectively, with developed written and verbal expression skills,

4.

Being able to identify problems in the field of Family Counseling, produce effective solutions, and having developed problem-solving skills,

5.

Possessing critical thinking and self-assessment skills,

6.

Being aware of professional responsibilities and committed to ethical values,

7.

Being open to development, having grasped the importance of lifelong learning, and having made it a principle,

8.

Respectful of differences and human rights

Family Counseling Specialists training.

Program Outcomes

1.

Can analyze the family system and its structure.

2.

Can identify and explain situations that disrupt family functions (such as psychological issues, violence, abuse, neglect, communication problems, etc.).

3.

Can evaluate the problems of individuals and families from theoretical perspectives.

4.

Can systematically identify the needs of families based on the fundamental principles important in family counseling.

5.

Can explain how to approach trauma and crisis situations within the family.

6.

Can develop and implement preventive and remedial interventions to ensure that the family functions healthily.

7.

Can apply research methods related to the field and current statistical analysis techniques.

8.

Can apply current theories and techniques in family counseling while working with families.

9.

Can consider differences related to factors such as gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and culture when approaching families.

10.

Can evaluate the problems of individuals and families from a developmental perspective.

Career Opportunities

Individuals who have a four-year bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Sociology, Psychological Counseling and Guidance, Medicine, Nursing, or Child Development, and who complete the Family Counseling Master's program can work in public institutions and organizations, non-governmental organizations, family health centers, and universities to protect and promote family health. They can work as "Family Counselors" in the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, and private institutions and organizations affiliated with these ministries, as well as in Private Family Counseling Centers and relevant units of municipalities.

Note: Graduates of Preschool Teaching can work as professional staff in Family Counseling Centers, but they do not have the authority to open Family Counseling Centers.

Thesis Master's Admission Requirements

Admission to the Interdisciplinary Thesis Master's Program in Family Counseling and Education is conducted in accordance with the requirements specified in the Graduate Education and Training Regulations of Osmaniye Korkut Ata University. To apply for the thesis master's program, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Sociology, Psychological Counseling and Guidance, Medicine, Nursing, Child Development, or Preschool Teaching, and must not have been dismissed from any master's program due to disciplinary violations.

Note: Graduates of Preschool Teaching can work as professional staff in Family Counseling Centers, but they do not have the authority to open Family Counseling Centers.

2024-2025 Academic Year Master's Degree Application Requirements with Thesis

Meeting the specific application requirements for the program you are applying to.

Achieving a score of at least 55.00 on the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) in the last five years.

The undergraduate graduation GPA must be at least 50.00 on a 100-point scale or at least 2.00 on a 4-point scale. (Grade conversion for systems other than the 100-point scale will be based on the Conversion Table published by the Higher Education Council on October 9, 2008.)

Preliminary Evaluation Process for the Master's Degree Program with Thesis

The number of candidates to be invited for the written exam for the master’s degree Program in Family Counseling and Education is limited to five times the announced quota. The ranking of candidates who will be called for the written exam and interview will be calculated based on 50% of the ALES score, 40% of the undergraduate graduation GPA, and 10% of the foreign language score. Candidates without a foreign language certificate will have their foreign language score considered as zero for the calculation.

Evaluation Process for the Master's Degree Program with Thesis

In the evaluation process for candidates who succeed in the preliminary assessment, 50% of the ALES score, 20% of the undergraduate GPA, and 10% of the YDS or equivalent foreign language score will be considered (candidates without a foreign language score or who do not submit their exam results during application will have a foreign language score of zero). The result of the scientific exam or interview will account for 20%. Candidates with a passing score of 55.00 or higher on the entrance exam will be ranked according to their scores, and both a main list and a reserve list will be announced within the quota. In the case of equal entrance exam scores, priority will be given to the candidate with a higher ALES score, followed by the undergraduate GPA and foreign language score. Candidates who do not participate in the interview/scientific exam will be considered unsuccessful.

Graduation Requirements for the Master's Degree Program with Thesis

To graduate from the master’s degree program in Family Counseling and Education, students must successfully complete at least seven courses, one seminar course, and the thesis project, with no less than twenty-one credits, while also fulfilling the relevant provisions of the Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Graduate Education and Teaching Regulations. The seminar course and thesis project are noncredit and are evaluated as either pass or fail. After completing the coursework, students must conduct thesis research on a topic determined under the guidance of their advisor and submit it to the advisor and designated jury members. Students deemed sufficient by academic criteria will present their work orally before the assigned jury. Students who pass the thesis defense are considered "experts in their field."

Transition to Higher Degree Programs

Students who graduate with a master's degree from the master’s degree Program in Family Counseling and Education by fulfilling the necessary requirements may be accepted into doctoral programs, both in and outside their field, depending on their results in required exams (YÖKDİL, ALES) and provided they meet the eligibility criteria of the institutions to which they apply.

Admission Requirements for the Non-Thesis Master's Program (Evening Education)

Admission to the Interdisciplinary Non-Thesis Master's Program in Family Counseling and Education is conducted in accordance with the conditions specified in the Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Graduate Education and Teaching Regulations. To apply for the non-thesis master's program, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, psychological counseling and guidance, medicine, nursing, child development, or preschool teaching, and must not have been dismissed from any graduate program due to a disciplinary offense. Candidates applying for non-thesis master's programs are not required to submit ALES scores.

Note: Graduates of Preschool Teaching can work as professionals in Family Counseling Centers, but they do not have the authority to open Family Counseling Centers.

2024-2025 Academic Year Non-Thesis Master's Program (Evening Education) Application Requirements

Meeting the specific application requirements for the program being applied to.

The undergraduate graduation GPA must be at least 50.00 on a 100-point scale or at least 2.00 on a 4-point scale. (Grade conversion for systems other than the 100-point scale will be based on the Conversion Table published by the Higher Education Council on October 9, 2008.)

The tuition fee for the Non-Thesis Master's Program is 24,000 TL per semester, resulting in a total fee of 48,000 TL if the program is completed in one year.

Evaluation Process for the Non-Thesis Master's Program

Candidates will be evaluated based on their undergraduate GPA. Those with a GPA of 50 or higher will be ranked according to their average, and both main and reserve lists will be announced within the quota. In case of equal GPAs, priority will be given to the candidate who graduated more recently.

Graduation Requirements for the Non-Thesis Master's Program

To graduate from the Non-Thesis Master's Program in Family Counseling and Education, students must successfully complete at least ten courses totaling no less than thirty credits and 60 ECTS and fulfill the relevant provisions of the Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Graduate Education and Teaching Regulations. The project course is noncredit and evaluated as either pass or fail. After completing the coursework, students must conduct a project on a topic determined under the guidance of their advisor. Students whose projects meet academic criteria will be considered successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the program?

The master’s degree program in Family Counseling and Education lasts 2 years, consisting of 2 semesters of coursework and 2 semesters of thesis work. Students must successfully present their thesis within 3 years (6 terms). Those who do not present their thesis within this period will be dismissed from the program.

The Non-Thesis Master's Program in Family Counseling and Education lasts 2 semesters (1 year). This means that students will complete the program by the end of the same academic year, provided they fulfill the course and project requirements. This period can be extended by an additional semester. Students must successfully present their project within a maximum of 1.5 years (3 semesters). Those who do not present their project within this timeframe will be dismissed from the program.

When and where are the classes held?

The master’s degree program in Family Counseling and Education is conducted face-to-face during weekdays within business hours in the classrooms of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The Non-Thesis Master's Program in Family Counseling and Education is conducted face-to-face in the classrooms of the Faculty of Health Sciences outside of business hours on weekdays.

How many courses are required to take in two semesters?

In the master’s degree Program in Family Counseling and Education, students must take at least seven courses and one seminar course over two semesters, with a minimum of twenty-one credits.

In the Non-Thesis Master's Program in Family Counseling and Education, students are required to take 10 courses and complete a project over two semesters, totaling 90 ECTS credits.

What is the weekly class schedule like? How many days a week do students need to attend school?

Weekly class schedules for the master’s degree Programs in Family Counseling and Education (both with and without thesis) are determined at the beginning of each semester. The number of days a student needs to attend school varies based on the courses selected and the schedule of the faculty members for that semester. Since non-thesis students must take 5 courses in one semester, classes may be spread over 5 days or condensed into fewer days. However, there is no guarantee for fewer days. Therefore, candidates who are unable to attend classes for 5 days due to various reasons are advised not to apply to the program.

Is there an attendance requirement for the classes?

Yes, there is an attendance requirement. In the master’s degree Programs in Family Counseling and Education (both with and without thesis), students must attend at least 70% of the classes, like other undergraduate or graduate programs.