Institutional accreditation
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, also called UT Health San Antonio, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. UT Health San Antonio also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of UT Health San Antonio may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404)-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website, www.sacscoc.org.
Program accreditation
The M.S. in Imaging Sciences program was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) on June 29, 2022, and approved regionally by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on October 31, 2022, with a program implementation date of August 2023. The M.S. in Imaging Sciences is currently an applicant program that has applied for initial programmatic accreditation and is currently under review based on The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography which is designed to promote academic excellence, patient safety, and quality healthcare. The Standards require a program to articulate its purposes; to demonstrate that it has adequate human, physical, and financial resources effectively organized for the accomplishment of its purposes; to document its effectiveness in accomplishing these purposes; and to provide assurance that it can continue to meet accreditation standards.
Program Outcomes
▪ To graduate clinically competent, entry-level, and multi-modality registry-eligible radiography, CT and MRI technology professionals.
▪ To graduate clinically competent students with critical thinking skills to function as competent healthcare professionals.
▪ To instill in the student the importance of professional values, continued education and professional development.
▪ To provide the community with qualified, competent and compassionate, imaging professionals.
Student Learning Outcomes
▪ Demonstrate critical inquiry and reasoning in applying the knowledge and skills required by each imaging modality.
▪. Demonstrate optimal selection of imaging protocols and correction for sub-optimal images.
▪ Demonstrate appropriate radiation and MRI safety standards of practice.
▪ Demonstrate the ability to adapt to varying clinical experiences and equipment.
▪ Appropriately respond to demanding situations in trauma or emergency settings.
▪ Communicate (oral and written) effectively and respectfully.
▪ Collaborate within interprofessional teams by practicing leadership.
▪ Demonstrate scholarship and understanding of research principles.
▪ Integrate ethical principles in professional activities.
▪ Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a diverse and global society.
Program Effectiveness Data.
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
The School of Health Professions evaluates student learning outcomes primarily through grades in academic coursework, performance in clinical rotations, and scores on standardized licensure examinations.
Provided in Table 1 is the plan for how the student learning outcomes (SLOs) will be assessed and evaluated, as well as when the SLOs will be reassessed and evaluated throughout the two-year program. Also described is the assessment method used to establish learning related to SLOs and the desired target level of performance.
Assessment methods may include faculty-designed comprehensive or capstone exams; performance on faculty-developed or external exams; professionally judged performance as in clinical or lab performance; portfolios compiled over time; written assignments, etc. SLOs are defined in terms of the knowledge, skills, and abilities that a student has attained at the end (or as a result) of his or her engagement in a particular set of higher education experiences. In our program, we might refer to these as terminal objectives or competencies. SLOs should not be confused with program outcomes, objectives, or goals, including graduation, employment, satisfaction, certification/licensure rates, scores on standardized tests, etc., (see Table 2). Although such indicators might be used as a proxy for instructional effectiveness, they are not actual measures of learning.