NECMETTIN ERBAKAN UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING REGULATION
Updated Summary – March 25, 2024

MASTER’S DEGREE WITH THESIS

1. Application and Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required. For foreign degrees, a recognition or equivalency certificate is needed.
• A minimum score of 65 on ALES (Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Exam) in the relevant field is required (may be reduced to 55 by institute decision), or an equivalent GRE/GMAT score.
• ALES may not be required for fine arts and conservatory programs.
• Foreign language requirement: Whether a foreign language score is required for Turkish-language programs is decided by the Senate. For programs taught in a foreign language, a minimum score of 75 on an exam accepted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) is required.
• Application: Must be submitted within the dates announced by the institute with the required documents.
• A written or practical exam may be conducted for scientific or art-based programs.
• Admission ranking: Determined based on ALES score, undergraduate GPA, language proficiency, and scientific exam results (if any) in proportions set by the Senate. Placement is made among applicants scoring at least 60 points.

2. Registration and Renewal

• Final registrations are conducted within the announced period. Those who fail to register on time forfeit their right.
• Registration must be renewed at the beginning of each semester. Failure to meet financial obligations results in loss of student rights.

3. Scientific Preparation

• A scientific preparation program of up to two semesters may be applied for students coming from different fields or other universities. This period is not included in the graduate education period.

4. Courses and Course Load

• Composed of a minimum of 10 courses, 24 credits and 120 ECTS, including courses, seminar, and thesis.
• Mandatory courses: A course on scientific research methods and research-publication ethics must be taken at least once.
• Up to two courses may be taken from other universities upon recommendation of the advisor and department.
• Attendance is mandatory for at least 70% of courses and 80% for lab/practical sessions.

5. Duration

• Must be completed in at least 4 semesters and at most 6 semesters (3 years).
• Time spent in scientific preparation is not included in the maximum period.
• Students who do not complete the program within the time limit will be dismissed.

6. Exams and Success

• A final exam is held at the end of each course. An additional exam may be granted to those who fail.
• A minimum score of 70 out of 100 is required to pass a course.
• Seminar and specialization courses are graded as pass/fail.
• Make-up exams are not given.

7. Thesis Process

• A thesis proposal is submitted after completing coursework and seminar.
• Thesis work is conducted under the supervision of an advisor.
• A thesis defense is held. Students who successfully defend their thesis before a jury are entitled to graduate.
• Graduation procedures begin after thesis submission. The graduation date is the date the thesis is submitted to the institute.

8. Graduation

• All coursework, seminar, and thesis must be successfully completed, the thesis defense must be passed, and required documents submitted.
• The diploma is issued under the official title of the program approved by YÖK.

NON-THESIS MASTER’S DEGREE

1. Application and Admission Requirements

• Whether ALES is required and the minimum score is determined by the institute.
• Other conditions and required documents are stated in announcements.

2. Courses and Course Load

• At least 10 courses and a term project (totaling 30 credits and 90 ECTS) must be completed.
• The term project is non-credit and graded as pass/fail.
• Up to three courses may be undergraduate courses not previously taken.

3. Duration

• Must be completed in at least 2 and at most 3 semesters (1.5 years).
• Students who fail to complete the program within the time limit will be dismissed.

4. Exams and Success

• A final exam is held for each course at the end of the semester. A minimum score of 70 out of 100 is required to pass.
• The term project must be submitted in writing and is graded as pass/fail.
• A qualification exam may be administered if necessary.

5. Graduation

• All courses and the term project must be successfully completed.
• The diploma is issued under the official title of the program approved by YÖK.

                NECMETTIN ERBAKAN UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING REGULATION
DOCTORATE PROGRAM WITH THESIS (COMPREHENSİVE SUMMARY)

1. Application and Admission Requirements

• Graduation Requirement: Applications can be made either with a thesis-based master's degree or directly with a bachelor's degree.
• ALES Requirement:
  • Applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree must have a minimum score of 65 (can be reduced to 55 by institute decision) in the ALES exam in the relevant score type.
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree must have a minimum ALES score of 80.
  • Equivalent GRE/GMAT scores are also accepted.
  • ALES may not be required for fine arts and conservatory programs.
• Foreign Language Requirement: At least 55 points must be obtained from centrally accepted foreign language exams approved by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) or equivalent international exams. This score may be increased based on department recommendation and institute decision.
• Application Documents: Diploma, transcript, ALES and language proficiency score documents, application form, and other required documents.
• Application Period: Applications are made at the beginning of the fall and/or spring semester on dates announced by the institute.
• Scientific Exam: A written and/or practical exam may be conducted. For proficiency in arts programs, portfolio evaluations and talent exams may be required.
• Evaluation: ALES, graduation GPA, scientific exam/portfolio, and language score are evaluated in proportions determined by the Senate. Candidates scoring at least 60 out of 100 are ranked and placed according to quota.

2. Enrollment and Registration Renewal

• Final registration is completed within the announced dates. Those who do not register on time lose their right to enroll.
• Registration renewal is required at the beginning of each semester. Students who do not fulfill financial obligations lose student rights.

3. Scientific Preparation

• A scientific preparation program (up to two semesters) may be applied for students coming from different fields or from other universities. This period is not included in the total doctoral duration.

4. Courses and Course Load

• For applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree:
  • At least 8 courses, field specialization course, seminar, qualifying exam, and thesis work (minimum 24 credits and 240 ECTS in total).
• For applicants with a bachelor’s degree:
  • A heavier course load is required (generally at least 16 courses- 48 credits and  300 ECTS).
• Compulsory Courses: "Scientific Research Methods" and "Research and Publication Ethics" must be taken at least once.
• Attendance Requirement: At least 70% attendance is mandatory for courses (80% for practice/lab work).
• Course Transfer: A maximum of four courses can be taken from other universities upon the advisor and department’s recommendation.

5. Duration

• For applicants with a master’s degree:
  • Minimum 8 semesters (4 years), maximum 12 semesters (6 years).
• For applicants with a bachelor’s degree:
  • Minimum 10 semesters (5 years), maximum 14 semesters (7 years).
• The scientific preparation period is not counted toward the maximum period.
• Students who do not complete the program within the maximum time are dismissed.

6. Exams and Achievement

• A final exam is held at the end of each course. Those who fail may take a make-up exam.
• Minimum 75 out of 100 must be obtained to pass a course.
• Seminar and field specialization courses are evaluated as pass/fail.
• No make-up exams are provided for excused absences.

7. Qualifying Exam

• After completing all courses and the seminar, students take the qualifying exam.
• The exam may be written and/or oral.
• Those who pass the qualifying exam gain the right to submit a thesis proposal.

8. Thesis Process

• After passing the qualifying exam, a thesis proposal is submitted to the jury.
• A thesis monitoring committee is established, and periodic progress reports are submitted.
• The thesis is conducted under the supervision of the advisor.
• The thesis must meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Contribute new knowledge to science
  • Develop a new scientific method
  • Apply a known method to a new field
• Upon completion, the thesis is defended before a jury.

9. Graduation

• Students must successfully complete all courses, seminars, qualifying exams, thesis monitoring, and thesis defense.
• After passing the thesis defense, students must submit all required documents and the thesis to the institute.
• The graduation date is the date the thesis signed by the jury is submitted to the institute.
• The doctoral diploma is issued with the program name approved by YÖK.