Department of Tourism Guidance Postgraduate Programs
Master's Degree Evening Program without Thesis
Aim of the Program: The aim of the program is to train qualified tourist guides through universities, which are educational institutions that have the authority to grant diplomas in the tourism guiding profession. In addition, the associate and undergraduate level tourist guiding departments in Turkey mainly train English-speaking tourist guides.
Significance of the Program: Individuals who meet the conditions in paragraph "c" of Article 3 of the Tour Guiding Profession Law No. 6326 are accepted to the profession of Tourist Guidance. This article states that the individuals who receive a bachelor’s degree other than tour guiding may have a tour guide license after completing a course that is approved and operated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. However, this article invalidates the diploma and higher education institutions. For this reason, it should be ensured that tourist guidance education is given by higher education institutions. Entry into the profession must be by diploma only. This program is also important because the need for non-English language guides should be met by universities.
Terms of Application: Those who have a bachelor's degree from any department can apply to the proposed Tourist Guidance Non-Thesis Secondary Education Master's Program. Application to the program is based on the evaluation and conditions of the Institute of Social Sciences.
Program Courses: In addition to the compulsory courses in the Tourist Guiding Vocational Law, elective courses are offered in the program. These are: General Tourism Information and Tourism Legislation, Travel Agency, Tour Planning and Management, General Health and First Aid, Communication Skills, Etiquette and Protocol Rules, General Turkish History and Culture, History of Art and Iconography, History of Religions, Tourism Economy, Tourism Sociology, Special Interest Tourism, Guiding Profession and Professional Ethics in Tourism, History of Mythology and Anatolian Civilizations, Guidance Practices, Anatolian Archeology and Museology, Turkish Folklore and Handicrafts, Tourism Geography of Turkey, Flora and Fauna, Turkish Cuisine, Entrepreneurship and Leadership.
Graduation Requirements: The program consists of a total of 15 courses (30 credits - 90 ECTS) and a term project. The term project course (30 ECTS) is evaluated as "successful" or "unsuccessful". The student has to register for the term project in the semester in which the term project is received and submit a written report at the end of the term.
Post-Graduation Opportunities: Students who graduate from this program will be able to apply for a license to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism after scoring 75 from foreign language exam and completing a field trip. After acquiring their license they can work as a tour guide throughout the country.