Graduate School | Department of Primary Education | Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) | Program in Pre-school Education

Last Updated: 21/09/2026

The work to be undertaken during the program's intended doctoral studies is to provide important contributions to the issues to be addressed and to the increase in effectiveness of pre-school education for the individuals to be trained. It is expected that the quality of pre-school teacher education and thus the qualifications of pre-school teachers are expected to increase with the doctoral program and pre-service and in-service training of preschool teachers. In addition, to provide students with knowledge, skills and attitudes at the graduate level related to the pre-school education, to ensure that they are experts in the field of preschool education.

Admission to graduate programmes is governed by the relevant legislation on graduate education, the Anadolu University Regulation on Graduate Education and Examinations, and the admission requirements announced by the relevant Graduate School. Depending on the programme, admission decisions may take into account the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Examination (ALES) score, foreign language proficiency, undergraduate or graduate grade point average, written scientific assessment examination, interview, portfolio, and/or other programme-specific selection criteria.
Candidates who are offered admission must complete their registration within the deadlines announced by the relevant Graduate School and submit all required documentation. Admission through horizontal transfer is carried out in accordance with the Anadolu University Regulation on Graduate Education and Examinations and the procedures established by the relevant Graduate School. The application and admission procedures for international applicants are conducted in accordance with the admission requirements and supporting documentation approved by the Senate of Anadolu University.

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the relevant higher education legislation, the University's regulations governing education, examinations and assessment, and the institutional principles for exemption and credit transfer. Students may apply, within the specified deadlines, for exemption and credit transfer based on courses successfully completed at another higher education institution or on equivalent prior learning. Applications are evaluated by the relevant board or commission with due consideration of course content, credit/ECTS values, grades obtained, and their compatibility with the curriculum and learning outcomes of the relevant programme.

All students enrolled at Anadolu University are assigned a faculty academic advisor to provide guidance and support throughout their studies. Academic advisors offer counselling from the beginning of the student's academic programme until graduation, assisting students with academic, administrative, and other matters related to university life. In particular, advisors provide guidance during course registration and course selection processes, monitor students' academic progress, and support them in making informed decisions regarding their educational pathways.
For further information, please refer to the Academic Advising Directive of Anadolu University.

The programme is delivered in face-to-face / blended mode. Students are enrolled on the programme as (full-time / part-time) students. Teaching and learning activities are conducted in accordance with the programme curriculum, including the semester structure, scheduled class hours, practical components, and, where applicable, online learning environments.

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Grade	Coefficient
AA	4,0
AB	3,7
BA	3,3
BB	3,0
BC	2,7
CB	2,3
CC	2,0
CD	1,7
DC	1,3
DD	1,0
FF	0,0

A student with an MA/MS degree is required to successfully complete a minimum of 7 courses, not less than 52,5 ECTS credits on the other hand student without an MA/MS degree enrolling in the doctorate programs is required to successfully complete a minimum of 14 courses not less than 105 ECTS credits. Both groups of students are required take the required Field Specialization course, pass the qualifying exam, have an accepted dissertation proposal and successfully compete doctorate dissertation work with a minimum of 60 ECTS credits, have a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 and no letter grades lower than CC and no YT, DZ grades.

To be awarded a Doctoral Degree (PhD), students admitted with a Master's degree must successfully complete at least seven courses, a seminar course, and the doctoral qualifying examination, corresponding to a minimum of 60 ECTS credits. Students admitted directly with a Bachelor's degree must successfully complete at least fourteen courses, a seminar course, and the doctoral qualifying examination, corresponding to a minimum of 120 ECTS credits. In addition, both groups must successfully complete a thesis proposal, specialisation courses, and the doctoral dissertation, corresponding to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, and successfully defend the dissertation before an examination committee.
To qualify for graduation, students must obtain a grade of Satisfactory (YT) or CC or above in all courses, achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, and have at least one article published or formally accepted for publication in an indexed peer-reviewed journal relevant to their field of study.

Students who successfully fulfil all programme requirements are awarded a Doctoral Degree (PhD) Diploma in Program in Pre-school Education.. Graduates obtain a Level 8 (Doctoral Degree) qualification within the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF).

Pre-school Education Ph.D. graduates can work as specialists or academicians in the education sector.

The Doctoral Degree (PhD) represents Level 8, the highest academic qualification within the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF). Accordingly, there is no higher academic degree following the completion of a doctoral programme. Graduates may pursue academic careers as faculty members, researchers, or continue their scholarly development through postdoctoral research programmes at national or international higher education and research institutions.

ECTS Department Coordinator
RESEARCH ASSISTANT TUĞÇE SİNOĞLU GÜNDEN