The Undergraduate Program in Primary Education is a four-year higher education program that awards a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education to students who successfully complete the educational process and meet the program qualifications. The program aims to provide students with undergraduate-level academic knowledge, professional competencies, and teaching practice experience. To be admitted to the program, applicants must have graduated from a high school or an equivalent institution and must obtain the required score in the university entrance examinations administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). The principles governing education, examinations, and academic achievement in the program are implemented in accordance with the Giresun University Regulation on Associate and Undergraduate Education, Training, and Examinations.

The primary aim of the program is to educate primary school teachers who possess a broad range of skills required in personal, social, academic, and professional life at both national and international levels, and who are equipped with the key competences defined within the Turkish Qualifications Framework as well as 21st-century skills. Accordingly, students’ development is supported not only in terms of subject matter knowledge and professional teaching knowledge, but also in areas such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, problem solving, and lifelong learning.

Graduates who successfully complete the program may, provided that they meet the relevant requirements, work as primary school teachers in public schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education and in private educational institutions. In addition, graduates may pursue academic careers in relevant departments at universities and may also find employment in various public- and private-sector positions requiring qualifications related to primary school teaching. Students who successfully complete their undergraduate education also fulfill one of the basic requirements for applying to graduate programs. Provided that they meet the admission criteria announced by higher education institutions, they may continue their studies in master’s and doctoral programs. For example, applications to the Thesis-Based Master’s Program in Primary Education offered by the Institute of Social Sciences at Giresun University are evaluated on the basis of criteria such as a bachelor’s degree or temporary graduation certificate, the quantitative-verbal score from the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Examination (ALES), undergraduate grade point average, foreign language score, where applicable, and interview score.

Assessment and evaluation processes in the program are defined in detail in the course teaching plans and implemented in accordance with the Giresun University Regulation on Associate and Undergraduate Education, Training, and Examinations. To graduate, students are required to successfully complete all courses in the program corresponding to a total of 240 ECTS credits and achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 out of 4.00. The program is delivered on a full-time basis.

The Department of Primary Education carries out its educational and research activities within the Faculty of Education located on the Güre Campus of Giresun University. The Department has 12 academic staff members, and students benefit from the shared physical facilities of the Faculty. The campus, which also houses the University Rectorate, includes three faculty buildings. In addition, academic and social support facilities such as the central library, sports facilities, dining hall, and student center are available for student use. The academic and administrative coordination of the program is carried out by the Head of the Department, Prof. Dr. Mustafa CİN. The contact address is Giresun University, Faculty of Education, Department of Primary Education, Güre Campus, Central District, Giresun, Türkiye.