Psychological Counseling and Guidance (PCG)

 

The primary goal of the Psychological Counseling and Guidance (PCG) program is to educate professional counselors who will work in institutions and organizations that provide psychological counseling and support services, contributing positively to individuals’ personal, social, academic, and career development.

Another objective of the program is to educate qualified counselors who can influence PCG practices at national and international levels, possess creative and critical thinking skills, and demonstrate leadership in their field.

Psychological counselors adopt lifelong development and learning as guiding principles in supporting individuals’ well-being and reflect this perspective in their professional practices, personal philosophies, and approaches to people. Counselors effectively utilize cognitive and psychosocial development theories and concepts related to the stages of human development throughout the life cycle, including cognitive, emotional, physical, moral, and spiritual development.

Professionals in the field recognize the profound impact of psychosocial and cultural factors on human development and can propose solutions for developmental crises. Our Psychological Counseling and Guidance Program values multiculturalism and considers the cultural needs of diverse groups, including those defined by religion, ethnicity, political views, socioeconomic class, language, sexual orientation, and gender identity, belief systems, age groups, and individuals with special needs. The program aims to develop interventions that address these cultural needs.

Our undergraduate program adheres to professional ethical standards and legal responsibilities and acts accordingly. In cases of ethical dilemmas, relevant parties are informed, and professional competence and development are maintained in accordance with ethical principles. In addition, we aim to ensure that our graduates understand educational systems, learning approaches, and factors affecting learning, and develop critical thinking approaches toward issues related to education.

 

Mission

The primary mission of the Psychological Counseling and Guidance (PCG) program is to educate counseling professionals who:

• contribute positively to individuals’ personal, social, academic, and career development,
• provide psychological counseling and support services,
• adhere to professional ethical standards and legal responsibilities,
• demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity and multiculturalism,
• adopt supporting individual well-being and lifelong development as guiding principles.

Within this scope, the program aims to educate counselors who can effectively apply theories of cognitive, emotional, physical, moral, and spiritual development; develop appropriate solutions for developmental crises; make sound decisions in ethical dilemmas; and apply critical thinking in educational processes.

 

Vision

The primary vision of the Psychological Counseling and Guidance (PCG) program is to educate qualified counselors who:

• positively influence PCG practices at national and international levels,
• are creative, innovative, and capable of critical thinking,
• demonstrate leadership in their field,
• support the mental health, development, and learning of individuals and society.

In line with this vision, the program aims to educate professionals who approach human development, cultural diversity, and educational processes from a holistic perspective and who adhere to contemporary and ethical values.

 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Psychological Counseling and Guidance (PCG) undergraduate program may work as school counselors in public and private schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. School counselors conduct consultation activities with individuals, parents, teachers, administrators, and institutions regarding guidance services, developmental needs, problems, programs, and school activities; develop group-based programs; and access relevant information resources.

School counselors understand the stages of human change within the framework of counseling theories and demonstrate effective counseling skills to help clients determine appropriate goals, achieve these goals, and improve their ability to cope with life situations.

Other institutions where graduates may work include:

• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Justice
• Social Services and Child Protection Institution
• Turkish Armed Forces
• Police Academies
• Human Resources Departments of companies
• Private Education and Counseling Centers

The learning outcomes of the Psychological Counseling and Guidance (PCG) undergraduate program have been prepared in accordance with the Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework (TYYÇ) for undergraduate education and the qualifications of the Basic Field of Teacher Training and Educational Sciences, as well as the standards of CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) and ASCA (American School Counselor Association).