Prof. Dr. Şükrü Karatepe completed his primary and secondary education in Kayseri, where he was born. He graduated from Ankara Faculty of Law in 1973. He worked as a freelance lawyer and labour inspector for a while.

He studied languages in England. In 1978, he was appointed as a lecturer at Ege University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Public Administration. He became a Doctor of Political Science in 1983 and Associate Professor of Constitution in 1989.
He was elected Mayor of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality in 1994. He published dozens of articles on Turkey's constitution, politics, urbanisation and governance problems.

Şükrü Karatepe, who became a Professor in 2011, served as Chief Advisor to the President. He is currently serving as the Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Local Government Policies Board.