Graduate School | Department of Special Education | Master of Arts (MA) Degree | Program in Education of Gifted Children

Last Updated: 21/09/2026

Mission of the Program

The mission of the Master’s Program in Education of the Gifted and Talented within the Department of Special Education at Anadolu University is to generate scientific knowledge on the education of gifted, talented, and high-potential individuals; to develop research-based educational practices in the field; to train qualified specialists and teachers; to design educational models that are responsive to diverse developmental and learning needs; and to contribute to the national and international dissemination of the knowledge, methods, and services produced through the program. The program aims to cultivate highly competent professionals with strong scholarly expertise in the theoretical foundations, assessment, curriculum development, instructional design, creativity, intelligence, talent development, and inclusive education dimensions of gifted education.

Aims of the Program

The primary aim of the program is to prepare specialists who can understand, on a scientific basis, the cognitive, academic, creative, socio-emotional, and individual characteristics of gifted, talented, and high-potential students, and who can develop appropriate educational environments, instructional strategies, differentiated curricula, and support services for these students.

In line with this general aim, the program seeks to:

Provide advanced expertise grounded in scientific knowledge regarding the identification, assessment, education, and support of gifted and talented students;
Train qualified professionals who can offer research-based guidance and support to teachers, families, schools, and institutions working with gifted and talented students;
Contribute to the development of differentiated, enriched, and inclusive educational opportunities that take into account gifted students’ individual differences, developmental characteristics, learning pace, interests, and potential;
Conduct original and high-quality scientific research in the fields of intelligence, creativity, talent development, giftedness, gifted education, assessment and evaluation, curriculum development, and instructional design;
Disseminate research findings at national and international levels in ways that contribute to educational policy, school practice, teacher education, and the scientific literature;
Educate researchers, specialists, and practitioners who are committed to ethical principles, scientific thinking, cultural responsiveness, equity, and inclusive education;
Advance the knowledge base on the education of gifted and talented individuals in Türkiye and internationally, develop innovative educational models, and contribute to the effective implementation of these models.

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.

A variety of assessment methods such as mid-term(s), assignment(s), exercise(s), project(s), practice(s), and a final exam are implemented in the programme. Assessment methods may include classical test(s), multiple-choice test(s), homework(s), performance evaluation(s), and product evaluation(s). In order to graduate from the programme, cumulative GPA must be minimum 2.00. A course grade is constituted by evaluating the above stated elements and given by using letters. Letter grades and their associated coefficients are as follows;
Grading system: Grade in letter Grade in number 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

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 is required to successfully complete a minimum of 7 courses, not less than 52,5 ECTS credits, take the required seminar and the Field Specialization courses and write and defend a Master’s Thesis, have a minimum GPA of 2.50/4.00 and no letter grades lower than CC, YT and no YZ, DZ grades.

To be awarded a Master's Degree with Thesis, students must successfully complete at least seven courses, a seminar course, specialisation courses, and a master's thesis, corresponding to a minimum of 120 ECTS credits. To qualify for graduation, students must obtain a grade of Satisfactory (YT) or CC or above in all courses, achieve a minimum CGPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale, successfully defend their thesis before an examination committee, publish at least one article in a peer-reviewed journal or one paper in a peer-reviewed conference related to their field of study, and satisfy all other graduation requirements prescribed by the programme.
Students are required to complete 52,5 ECTS hours of study. This includes 7 courses, 1 seminar, 1 Ethics course and 1 Expertise Field Study course as well as a 30 ECTS thesis.

Students who successfully fulfil all programme requirements are awarded a Master's Degree Diploma in Program in Education of Gifted Children.. Graduates obtain a Level 7 (Master's Degree) qualification within the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF).

Graduates can work as teachers of gifted students in private elementary and high schools; or as coordinators and supervisors in programs for gifted students.

Graduates of Master's Degree programmes with a thesis are eligible to apply for Doctoral (PhD) or Proficiency in Arts programmes in accordance with the relevant legislation governing graduate education.


PROF. DR. UĞUR SAK