Child Development

The aim of the program is to train human resources capable of assessing the mental, language, motor, social, emotional development and self-care skills of typically and atypically developing children aged 0-18, as well as vulnerable, working, refugee, delinquent, and hospitalized children, and to provide services to children, families, educators, and the community in supporting all areas of development and skills.

Students participating in this program will: plan, prepare, and implement activities best suited to children's developmental characteristics; communicate effectively with children, parents, and other stakeholders; effectively utilize technology and tools in the field of child development; apply appropriate teaching strategies, methods, and techniques considering children's developmental characteristics and individual differences; develop materials suitable for children's needs, keep records, and prepare documents and reports during application activities; plan and implement activities for children with special educational needs; acquire knowledge and skills in child health and diseases; and use, prepare, develop, and maintain tools, materials, and documents in the work environment. Throughout the two-year associate degree program, students are trained by expert faculty members and acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and equipment from the most reliable sources to practice their profession. Students' workplace training, practical work, and internships will be conducted within the framework of the principles and procedures determined by the Higher Education Council.

To graduate from the International Cyprus University (ICU) Vocational School, students must successfully complete all courses in the program, fulfill the required ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits, and achieve a minimum overall academic grade point average (GPA) of 2.00.

 The basic and administrative requirements for completing the graduation process are as follows, according to the relevant ICU regulations:

Academic Success: You must take and pass all compulsory and elective courses in your program and achieve a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00 out of 4.00.

Credit Completion: You must successfully complete the total ECTS/credit load stipulated in the program curriculum.
Compulsory Internship: If your departmental curriculum includes a practical work/internship requirement, you must submit and have your internship logbook or report approved.
Financial Obligations: All tuition, dormitory, and education debts owed to the university must be settled.
Approval Process: Students who fulfill all these conditions are granted the right to graduate upon the recommendation of the relevant vocational school board and the decision of the university senate.  

Turkish Citizen Candidates

Students who have successfully passed the exams administered by the Turkish Higher Education Council Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) and are eligible to enroll in the university according to their preferences can complete their registration process with the necessary documents at the Registration and Contact Offices located throughout Turkey or at the Promotion Directorate in the TRNC.

TRNC Candidates

Candidates who are citizens of the TRNC and Turkish citizens who have completed all their high school education in the TRNC are placed in undergraduate programs according to their success in the UKU Student Placement and Scholarship Ranking Exam and the programs they prefer.

Students who have passed the exam can complete their registration process at the TRNC Promotion Office.

Students who successfully complete the program receive an associate degree and earn the title of "Child Development Professional." Graduates of the Child Development Associate Degree Program have the opportunity to be employed in preschool education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education, special education institutions, children's clinics of hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health, rehabilitation centers, and institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Policies. Due to the need for child development professionals with specialized training in this field, job opportunities are high. To continue their undergraduate studies from the 5th semester of formal or distance education undergraduate programs, graduates of the Child Development Associate Degree Program must take the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS) administered by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Graduates of the Child Development associate degree program can continue their education by completing a bachelor's degree, pursuing a master's degree, or pursuing a doctorate.

The International Cyprus University (ICU) uses a Relative Grading System (RGS) in its associate and bachelor's degree programs. In this system, your letter grade is determined not only by your score but also by the class average and overall performance distribution of all students in the course. According to the ICU Associate and Bachelor's Degree Education, Teaching, Examining and Evaluation Regulations, the academic system operates as follows: Midterm and Final Grade Weights: Your passing grade is not calculated based on a single criterion. The total raw grade generally consists of the following components:

Midterm Exam (Vize): This is an exam taken in the middle of the semester that directly affects your letter grade.
Final Exam (Son Sınavı): This is the exam taken at the end of the semester and usually has the highest weight.
Other Assessments: Due to the applied nature of the vocational school, assignments, projects, laboratory work, practical applications, presentations, and class attendance also directly affect your raw grade.

Letter Grades and Coefficient Equivalents: The raw grades you collect from exams and in-term assignments are converted into letter grades using a relative grading system. Some basic letter grades and their corresponding coefficients valid within UKU are as follows: Letter Grade Coefficient Level of Success A 4.00 Excellent B +3.50 Very Good-Good B 3.00 Good C +2.50 Average-Good C 2.00 Average (Lowest passing grade) D +1.50 Conditional Pass D 1.00 Conditional Pass F 0.00 Fail Note: D+ and D grades are conditional pass grades. To pass these courses, your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) must be 2.00 or higher. Students who receive an F grade are considered to have failed the course directly.

The Vocational School of the International Cyprus University (ICU) utilizes Bloom's Taxonomy in its programs and course plans. This system aims for students to fully learn a subject matter by progressing through steps such as recall, understanding, application, and evaluation, rather than rote memorization.

At ICU, this taxonomy is applied particularly through a system called constructive alignment. This means that the objectives of the course, the topics covered, and the exams all serve the same purpose. To prepare students for their professional lives, the learning outcomes of each course are determined according to these steps.

 TQF / PROGRAM OUTCOMES MATRIX

(TQF LEVEL 5 - ASSOCIATE DEGREE)

Program Outcomes (PO) for the Child Development associate degree program:

PO1: Knows the fundamental concepts and theories related to child development; evaluates and supports the developmental domains (physical, motor, cognitive, language, social, and emotional) and self-care needs of children aged 0–18.

PO2: Applies appropriate education, instruction, and care methods by taking into account children's individual and developmental characteristics.

PO3: Observes children's developmental behaviors and abilities, and designs creative and supportive activities based on the observation results.

PO4: Possesses guidance skills in helping children acquire positive habits, as well as taking preventive and supportive measures against adjustment and behavioral problems.

PO5: Plans and implements drama, art, music, play, and movement activities for typically developing children and children with special needs in early childhood.

PO6: Takes occupational health, hygiene, and safety measures in environments where children are present; applies basic first aid principles in case of accidents and emergencies.

PO7: Prepares original materials and activities aimed at fostering children's creativity and aesthetic perspective.

PO8: Grasps the role of play in early childhood development; effectively utilizes play and materials as educational tools in developmental processes.

PO9: Develops professional and personal awareness, performs self-evaluation, and cultivates a mindset for lifelong learning.

PO10: Knows the duties, authorities, and boundaries in the field of child development; acts in accordance with children's rights, privacy, and professional ethical values.

PO11: Communicates effectively with children, families, colleagues, and multidisciplinary teams within the institution.

PO12: Plans essential skills and activities that prepare children developmentally for the next educational level (primary education).

 Program Outcome (PO) - TQF Relationship Summary (Cross-Table)

Scale: 1–5 (1: Low, 5: High correlation)

Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Kale