15 - Turkey - Certification

In Turkey all the universities and affiliated faculties and graduate degree (master and doctorate) education institutes are founded by law. Higher vocational schools are founded by the approval of Yükseköğretim Kurulu (YÖK). Also departments/programs within these faculties and institutes begin education with the approval YÖK. This condition grants authorization to each university or independent higher education institutions other than universities on any level for giving their diploma and determining the conditions for diploma within the concerned legislation. In higher education institutions educations that are conducted in accordance with the foundation features and requirements and rudiments related to granted diplomas in terms of this are determined by educational and examination regulations that are prepared by each university. Diplomas are signed by the university rector and faculty dean/higher school administrator/institute administrator. Titles and degrees by which graduates are entitled to benefit are mentioned on diplomas.

According to the program type and stages (1) associate degree, (2) bachelor’s degree, (3) master degree and equivalent degrees and (4) doctorate degrees are granted.

1. Associate Degree

Students who fulfill the foreseen requirements for graduation from a higher vocational education program are entitled to obtain Önlisans Diploması. Also in accordance with the law neme Yükseköğretim Kanunu No. 2547 associate degree diploma can be granted to bachelor's degree students who accomplish all the lessons of the first four half-terms. Each university determines graduation conditions by educational regulations. Higher vocational schools are schools that conduct vocational education programs for four half terms.

2. Bachelor’s Degree

Students who fulfill the foreseen requirements for graduation from a faculty or higher school program (eight half terms/four years) are entitled to obtain “Bachelor’s Degree Diploma“. Also students who accomplish the bachelor’s degree stage of the Secondary School Teacher Education Joint Master programs without thesis (first half term of the field knowledge courses with teacher education vocational knowledge courses) can be granted bachelor’s degree diploma. Programs in this context can be academic as well as vocational predominantly. Particularly higher schools conduct programs that are mostly vocational.

Some universities enable a bachelor’s degree in a second program by fulfilling the difference lessons in a close field in addition to the field in which the student is registered. How to execute this application is arranged by a regulation. This condition is called as “double” department. According to the regulations students who accomplish double major program successfully can be granted Double Major Diploma named Çift Anadal Lisans Diploması in addition to the bachelor’s degree diploma from a major program that they are registered.

3. Master Degree

Students who accomplish minimum ten half terms education programs of faculties and master degree programs of institutes that conduct master degree education with/without thesis and fulfill the graduation requirements are entitled to obtain "Masters Degree”.

Faculties who execute at least ten half-terms long education programs are medicine (12 half-academic year), dentistry, veterinary and pharmacy (10 half terms) faculties. “Teacher Education for Secondary Schools” programs that are conducted within education faculties of some universities are for five years. In some of these programs diplomas called with the program name are granted. These are: Dentistry Diploma and Medical Doctorate diplomas.

Programs in institutes that conduct master degree education are programs that only minimum four year bachelor’s degree holders can apply are handled in two groups as with and without thesis:

• Master degree programs without thesis conduct mostly vocational programs. Therefore these programs can be applied also in second shift (evening) education. Programs are based on lessons to a large extent. Master degree diploma is granted to master degree student who accomplish the credit lessons and term project successfully.
• Master degree programs with thesis consist of lesson and thesis components. Master Degree Diploma is granted to master degree students who pass thesis examination and fulfill other graduation requirements. Master of Arts Diploma is granted to the one who are graduated from arts fields of these programs.

4. Doctorate Degree

Students who accomplish doctorate programs of institutes that conduct graduate education and fulfill the graduation requirements are entitled to obtain the “Doctorate Degree”. “Proficiency in Art” Degree is granted to the ones who are graduated from arts fields of these programs.

Doctorate programs consist of course and dissertation components. Students who accomplish minimum credited courses that are foreseen for doctorate program in thesis stage and pass the qualifying examinations in written and oral can begin dissertation study. The objective of the doctoral program is to make the student gain the ability of conducting independent research, interpreting with a wide and deep point of view and determining required steps so as to reach new synthesis. Thesis to be prepared at the end of the doctorate study should accomplish one of the qualifications among (1) introducing innovation in science (2) developing a new scientific method (3) applying a known method to a new field.

5. Recognizing Degrees and Diplomas

All the higher education institutions in Turkey are entitled to grant diploma and degreed within their fields. Recognizing and validating the granted diploma and degrees by any institution can not be possible. However authorized body regarding the recognition of associate degree, bachelor’s degree and graduate degree diplomas that are obtained in foreign countries is YÖK according to Yükseköğretim Kanunu, No. 2547 item 7/p. Equivalence operation for the said diplomas are performed by Yükseköğretim Kurulu (YÖK).

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