The psychological situation in the region, as well as research and its practical significance, are increasing the demand for specialties in pedagogy and psychology, as well as special education. In order to meet this public demand and due to the growing number of students, the Departments of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Special Education were merged and reorganized in the 2022–2023 academic year into the Department of “Psychology and Pedagogy.” Associate Professor, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) K. Kaziev was appointed as the Head of the Department. A total of 28 faculty members, including professors and lecturers, work at the department.

Currently, the department implements educational programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels: 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology,” 6B01102 — “Psychology IP,” 6B03101 — “Psychology,” 6B01901 — “Speech Therapy,” 6B01902 — “Special Pedagogy IP,” and 7M01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology.”

As a result of the specialized accreditation conducted by the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating, the educational programs 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology,” 6B01102 — “Psychology IP,” 6B03101 — “Psychology,” 6B01901 — “Speech Therapy,” 6B01902 — “Special Pedagogy IP,” and 7M01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” successfully passed accreditation in the 2024–2025 academic year.

In the 2022 ranking of educational programs conducted by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the educational program 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology,” implemented by the department, took 1st place among 34 universities. The educational program 6B01901 — “Speech Therapy” ranked 2nd among 12 universities, while the educational program 6B03101 — “Psychology” ranked 10th among 24 universities.

Within the framework of international cooperation, scholars from leading foreign universities are regularly invited to the department, and lectures are organized on an ongoing basis. Professor Robert Williamson from Canada delivered lectures in the field of inclusive education. Professor Islamov Anvar Ashirkulovich from Uzbekistan conducted lectures on educational management disciplines. Associate Professor Dr. Suat Kolukırı from Turkey delivered a lecture on “Social Psychology” for students of the “Pedagogy and Psychology” educational program.

Within the discipline “Higher School Psychology,” guest lectures were organized for master’s students of the 7M01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” program. Professor A. Yermentaeva, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, author of the textbook “Higher School Psychology,” and faculty member of the Department of Psychology at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, delivered lectures in 2021.PhD G. Ibatova, author of several textbooks in the field of “Defectology” at the Department of Special Pedagogy of the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, delivered a lecture in 2023 on the topic “Psychological and Pedagogical Support for Children with Special Educational Needs.”In addition, Professor K. Shalgunbayeva, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, from the Department of Pedagogy at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, conducted a guest lecture for students in 2023 within the course “Theory and Methodology of Educational Work” on the topic “National Education.”

In order to implement the academic mobility program, which is one of the important areas of the modern education system, an exchange of experience between universities took place in the 2023 academic year.Professor of the department, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences S. K. Nursmukhayeva completed academic mobility at the Caspian Public University. Senior lecturer of the department Zh. S. Bekzhanova participated in an exchange of experience at the Caspian University of Technology and Engineering named after Sh. Yessenov. Head of the department K. O. Kaziev took part in the academic mobility program at the West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University.

Professor Z. T. Koksheeva from the Department of Pedagogy at the Caspian University of Technology and Engineering named after Sh. Yessenov, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences; Professor Z. T. Aidzhanova, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences; PhD, Associate Professor T. M. Yesimgaliyeva from the Caspian Public University; as well as G. O. Bekeshova from the West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University conducted lectures and seminar classes in specialized disciplines for students of the educational programs “Pedagogy and Psychology,” “Psychology,” and “Speech Therapy.”

In the 2023–2024 academic year, the university implemented the following research projects:

• “Futurological Study of Career Choice among Youth,” supervised by Associate Professor L. E. Koishyghulova;
• “Psychological Mechanisms for Preventing Professional Emotional Burnout among University Teachers,” supervised by PhD K. O. Kaziev;
• “Fundamentals of Psychological and Pedagogical Support for Children with Special Educational Needs in Primary School,” supervised by PhD G. O. Mugaulina;
• “Creation of a Virtual Museum-Laboratory Based on the Content Digitalization of the Scientific Works of Kh. Dosmukhameduly in Three Languages,” supervised by Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Sh. I. Dzhanzakova.

Students of the department also participated in international and national subject olympiads in various educational programs and achieved prize-winning results.Thus, at the XV Republican Subject Olympiad of students of higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of “Defectology,” held at the North Kazakhstan University named after M. Kozybayev, students of the “Speech Therapy” program under the supervision of Senior Lecturer Zh. S. Bekzhanova took 2nd place (2023).At the XV Republican Subject Olympiad of students of higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held at the Caspian University of Technology and Engineering named after Sh. Yessenov, students of the “Pedagogy and Psychology” educational program under the supervision of Senior Lecturer V. S. Turegalieva also took 2nd place (2023).In addition, at the Republican Master’s Olympiad in the field of “7M01 – Pedagogical Sciences,” held at the Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, second-year master’s students of the 7M01101 “Pedagogy and Psychology” program, supervised by Senior Lecturers G. O. Mugaulina and G. G. Zhubangalieva, were prepared for participation and awarded the nomination “Best Research Project” among 14 universities in the country.

In 2024, the XVI Republican Subject Olympiad among students of higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of 6B019 — “Special Pedagogy” was held at the Aktobe Regional University named after K. Zhubanov.A third-year student of the “Speech Therapy” educational program, Meyrangalieva Nuraina Tanatkyzy, under the supervision of Senior Lecturer of the Department of “Psychology and Pedagogy” Zhanar Bekzhanova Serikkaliyevna, achieved an honorable 2nd place.

In 2025, at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, the team “Daryn” from the 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” educational program took 2nd place among 17 universities in the country based on the results of the XVII Republican Subject Olympiad among university students.The team’s scientific supervisor was Senior Lecturer, Master N. Karabaeva. In addition, a third-year student of the “Pedagogy and Psychology” educational program, A. Tilekkabyl, presented a research project titled “The Pedagogue-Psychologist in Creating a Comfortable Environment” and was awarded a diploma in the nomination “Best Research Project.” The scientific supervisor was Candidate of Psychological Sciences N. Imanagalieva.

In 2025, at the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University, the XVII Republican Subject Olympiad among students of higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of 6B019 — “Special Pedagogy” was held.Based on the results of the Olympiad, a student of the 6B01901 — “Speech Therapy” educational program, A. Bakhtigalieva, took 3rd place among 15 universities in the country and was awarded the corresponding diploma.The scientific supervisor was Lecturer N. Tursyngali.

In 2023, at the Caspian University of Technology and Engineering named after Sh. Yessenov, a Republican competition of student research works (SRW) in the 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” educational program was held, where a 4th-year student, F. Malikuly, was awarded a 1st-degree diploma.At the Kokshetau University named after Sh. Ualikhanov, within the framework of the Republican SRW competition in the 6B01301 — “Psychology” program, a 4th-year student, U. Imasheva, received a 2nd-degree diploma (2023).In addition, at the West Kazakhstan Innovative and Technological University, during the Republican competition of Master’s research works (MRW) in the 7M01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” program, a 2nd-year master’s student, A. Tapanova, was awarded a 3rd-degree diploma (2023).The scientific supervisor of all the above-mentioned works was K. O. Kaziev.

Non-profit Joint Stock Company “Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University” was approved as the base university for conducting the second stage of the annual Republican competition of student research works in the 2023–2024 academic year for the 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” educational program, as well as in the 2025–2026 academic year for the 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” and 6B01301 — “Psychology” educational programs.At the republican level, a special commission consisting of faculty scholars was established. The submitted research works were checked using an anti-plagiarism system, after which the competition results were officially published.

In 2024, at Atyrau University named after Kh. Dosmukhamedov, a Republican competition of student research works (SRW) in the 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” educational program was held, where a second-year student, A. Gabitkyzy, was awarded a 3rd-degree diploma.At the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University in 2024, within the framework of the Republican competition of Master’s research works (MRW) in the 7M01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” program, a second-year master’s student, G. Chandybayeva, received a 3rd-degree diploma.In 2025, at Kokshetau University named after Sh. Ualikhanov, during the Republican SRW competition in the 6B01301 — “Psychology” program, a third-year student, A. Nursultan, took 1st place and was awarded a 1st-degree diploma.Also in 2025, in the competition of Master’s research works in the 7M01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” program, a second-year master’s student, M. Mukhanova, received a 3rd-degree diploma.The scientific supervisor of all the above-mentioned works was K. O. Kaziev.

In 2025, at the Pavlodar Pedagogical University named after Alkey Margulan, a Republican competition of student research works (SRW) in the 6B01101 — “Pedagogy and Psychology” educational program was held, where a student, A. Tilekkabyl, was awarded a 1st-degree diploma.The scientific supervisor was N. T. Imanagalieva.Also in 2025, at the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, a Republican SRW competition in the 6B01901 — “Special Pedagogy” educational program was held, where a third-year student of the “Speech Therapy” specialty, N. Kubyaydolla, was awarded a 3rd-degree diploma.The scientific supervisor was Zh. S. Bekzhanova.

The faculty members of the department, alongside their educational, upbringing, and research activities, actively participate in events held at both the republican and regional levels.

One of the important structural units defining the scientific and practical potential of the department is the inclusive educational resource center “Daryn.” This center is aimed at integrating students’ theoretical knowledge with practice, providing psychological and pedagogical corrective and developmental support for children with special educational needs, as well as conducting research in the field of inclusive education.Since the 2025–2026 academic year, within the framework of cooperation with the Atyrau Regional No. 1 Psychological-Medical-Pedagogical Consultation (PMPC), children with special educational needs have been admitted to the center, where systematic speech therapy and psycho-correctional developmental classes are conducted. In implementing these activities, the department’s academic staff provides scientific and methodological support, ensuring the development of students’ professional practical training.As a result of research activities in this area, two authors’ certificates and one utility model patent were obtained during the academic year.

Within the framework of a memorandum between Atyrau University named after Kh. Dosmukhamedov and the Department of the Penitentiary System for the Atyrau region, training and methodological seminars on the topic “Current Issues of the Psychological Service” are regularly organized.

Associate Professors of the department L. E. Koishyghulova and K. O. Kaziev participate in the work of dissertation councils as reviewers and temporary members of dissertation councils at the following universities: Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Zhetysu University named after I. Zhansugurov, Pavlodar University named after S. Toraighyrov, and Karaganda University named after Academician E. A. Buketov.

Associate Professors of the department L. E. Koishyghulova and K. O. Kaziev serve as reviewers and members of temporary dissertation councils at meetings held at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Zhetysu University named after I. Zhansugurov, Pavlodar University named after S. Toraighyrov, and Karaganda University named after Academician E. A. Buketov.

At the initiative of the leadership of Military Unit No. 5546 of the National Guard of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Atyrau region, with the aim of providing moral and psychological support to young servicemen, joint activities involving students of the “Psychology” program are organized annually. Within this framework, seminars, training sessions, and psychological support activities for young soldiers are systematically conducted at the military unit.The scientific supervisor is A. E. Sultangalieva.

The goal of the department’s faculty is clearly defined and has promising prospects: to train specialists who work selflessly toward the harmonious development of the individual.