The primary objective of the Department of Special Education is to generate theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of special education that can be utilized both nationally and internationally. Additionally, the department aims to train prospective special education teachers who are qualified for employment both within Turkey and abroad, particularly in official schools and institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. Furthermore, by developing solutions at local and international levels, the department seeks to contribute to the advancement of the field of special education. Established in 2013 within the Faculty of Education at Hacettepe University, the Department of Special Education admitted its first undergraduate students in the 2016-2017 academic year. The undergraduate program in Special Education lasts four years (eight semesters), and the language of instruction is Turkish.

Since 2018, the department has offered a master's program in Gifted Education, and since 2019, a master's program in Education of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has been available. Additionally, the doctoral program in Gifted Education has been offered since 2019.