PSYCHOLOGY (PhD) - Department Information
Last Update Date : 14.08.2026
Language Turkish
Program Time (Year) 4
Max.Program Time (Year) 6
Program Quota
Internships Status Absent
About Programme

History

The Department of Psychology, which was established in 1992 under Mersin University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, admitted its first students in the 1996-1997 academic year. Since 2022 the department has been part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. There are five main disciplines in our department: Experimental, Applied, Social, Clinical and Developmental Psychology. Although the language of education is Turkish, 1-year elective foreign language education is given.

Degree Earned

Graduates who successfully complete the program are awarded a PhD in Psychology.

Admission Requirements

Candidates wishing to apply for a doctoral program:
1) Having a bachelor's degree in related fields,
2) Having a master's degree in related fields,
3) Having received a valid score in the relevant field of the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Examination (ALES),
4) They must be successful in the interview conducted by the department.

Upgrade

Candidates who have successfully completed their master's education: Getting valid grades from the relevant field of the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES), a sufficient level of English language certificate (YDS, TOEFL, etc.) (from one of the language exams accepted by the Interuniversity Board) They can study in doctoral programs, provided that they have a valid grade in the interview made by the relevant department.

Graduation Requirements

The conditions in the qualification conditions and rules section are sufficient.

Graduate Employment Opportunities

Graduates of this program are appointed as psychologists by the Ministry of Health, Justice and Internal Affairs, the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses of the Ministry of Justice, the General Directorate of Security, the General Directorate of Social Services and Child Protection Agency, if they get the required scores from KPSS. In addition, graduates can work as psychologists in the Turkish Armed Forces and in special education and improvement centers affiliated to the Ministry of National Education.

Quantification and consideration

The method of measurement and evaluation applied for each course is determined by the Mersin University Graduate Regulation and the principles of the relevant institutes.

1-           Attend courses of the Department or related departments with minimum 21 credits (60 ECTS) and give at least one seminar, and pass them (with a minimum score of 75 points on a scale of 100),

2-           Defend the written thesis (60 ECTS) on related areas of research before a jury of experts.

Aims

Deep and advanced theoretical knowledge in expertise areas of psychology
Enough knowledge to be able to practice in various psychology fields
Advanced methodological and statistical knowledge in order to be able to analyze research data in expertise areas of psychology
Planning, conducting and reporting new and unique research in expertise areas of psychology
Interpreting research results within a theoretical framework. Discussing and presenting the results of research in expertise areas of psychology in national/international conferences.
Publishing articles in national/international scientific journals
Define scientific, cultural and ethical values when studying in expertise areas of psychology
Using skills and knowledge in order to contribute scientific development to expertise areas of psychology
Using a foreign language at least at European language levels of  B2 and being capable of communicating with their colleagues in written, verbal and visual contexts
The Main Branch of Science
Associate Prof.Dr. Maria Geraldine Veldhuizen
History
The department was established in 1992 and has actively started education in 1996 under the Faculty of Science. Since 2022 the department has been part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The department consists of five main areas: Experimental, Clinical, Social, Clinical and Developmental Psychology. The language of the program is Turkish.
Qualification Awarded
Our department offers a Ph. D. degree in Psychology.
Admission Requirements
The candidates applying to an Ph. D. programme should;
1- have graduate diplomas from related disciplines.
2- have required scores from the related parts of ALES (Academic Staff and Graduate Study Education Exam).
3- be successful in the interview administered by the Department.
Higher Grade Transition
Students who complete the M.A programme successfully can apply to Ph.D. programmes provided that:
They have required scores from the related parts of Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES).
They have the sufficient scores from English Proficiency Tests (YDS, TOEFL etc.) (Tests approved by the Inter-university Committee)
They are successful in the interview administered by the Department.
Graduation Requirements
See ‘Qualification Requirements and Regulations’ section above.
Occupational Profiles of Graduates
Some of our students work in hospitals, counseling centers (e.g., health centers of universities), nursery schools and higher level schools, research institutions, or assume administrative and research positions at certain ministries (e.g., mental health section of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice). They can also work at various advertisement firms, and other public and private organizations to develop assessment techniques for selection, placement and to coordinate human relationships public relations and human resources. Naturally, the level at which they will be employed and the nature of their responsibilities will tend to vary depending on their post-graduate qualifications and the requirements of the related institutions
Assessment and Grading
The forms of assessment and evaluation processes for each course are pre-determined by the relevant regulations of the Institute and “Mersin University Post-Graduate Regulations”.