Mission & Goals

Mission Statement

In keeping with the mission of Austin Community College, the sonography program is committed to providing students with a well-rounded education in the Medical Sonography or Adult Echocardiography and Vascular Technology concentrations. This includes basic to advanced instruction in the principles and practices of sonographic imaging skills to prepare the student for employment in the field of diagnostic medical ultrasound. The faculty are committed to assisting students toward the greatest academic, personal, and professional potential through quality instruction and coursework that places patient safety at the center of the student’s education.

Teaching Philosophy

The Sonography faculty believes that sonography education is a collaborative effort between instructors and students. This partnership emphasizes creating a foundation based on established sonographic principles and practices, applying didactic knowledge to practical settings, and providing frequent, comprehensive evaluations of students in all areas. The Sonography Program and its faculty employ diverse teaching methods, including universal design, collaborative learning, and the flipped classroom approach, among others, to support student achievement and foster a culture of respect, innovation, and academic excellence. Faculty promote mutual respect, collaboration, open dialogue, and the acceptance of individual differences.

We recognize that adult learners are intrinsically motivated and self-directed (Knowles, 2005). Therefore, we promote a graded progression of responsibility and accountability for one’s own learning. Expectations for academic excellence and professional behavior are clearly established at the start of the program. Throughout the program, students receive direct and frequent feedback on their academic performance and professional conduct. As students advance, they are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for identifying their own learning needs. Program faculty remain responsive to requests for additional support and guide students to appropriate resources to ensure successful program completion. These practices align with ACC’s mission of empowering students through education and fostering lifelong learning in a supportive and innovative academic community.

Program Goals

The goals of the ACC Sonography Program respond to the needs and expectations of the communities of interest served by the program including the profession, the college, students, graduates, faculty, employers, physicians, patients, and the public. Achievement of these goals is assessed through annual graduate and employer surveys, national credential examination pass rates, employment rates, and other data. This data is reviewed relative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Guidelines for Programs in Workforce Education, the ACC Instructional Program Review, the Discipline Assessment Cycle, and the JRC-DMS Annual Report. The advisory committees and sonography faculty review outcomes reports annually and make recommendations for changes if outcomes do not meet benchmarks. Sonography faculty make ongoing assessments of course content and structure using faculty and end-of-course evaluations. Specific program goals include:

• To prepare competent Abdominal-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, and/or
• To prepare competent Adult cardiac entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, and/or
• To prepare competent Vascular entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
• Maintain high academic and professional standards for students and graduates.
• Meet or exceed CAAHEP Standards for program accreditation.
• Serve as a resource for the clinical agencies in the Austin area.

Discipline Objectives and Minimum Expectations

• Demonstrate entry-level medical and vascular or cardiac and vascular sonographer competency in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains in the sonography profession.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform diagnostic quality sonographic examinations of the
  • Structures of the abdomen, superficial structures, the gravid and non-gravid female pelvis, and vascular systems, including 2-D, color and spectral Doppler assessments, or
  • The adult heart and vascular systems, including 2-D, color, and spectral Doppler assessments
• Evaluate the normal, abnormal, and normal variant sonographic appearances within their specialty using 2-D, color Doppler, and spectral Doppler modalities according to standardized protocols and within recognized time frames set by industry and local standards.
• Adjust scan protocols to accurately document, assess, and quantify pathologies.
• Employ prudent and safe use of ultrasound by maintaining the ALARA principle (AIUM.org).
• Employ professional judgment and discretion regarding patient confidentiality, patient care and safety, professional interaction skills, and the reduction of sonographer musculoskeletal injuries.
• Recognize and respond in a timely manner to medical, cardiac, and vascular findings that require adjustment in imaging, notification, and/or emergency protocols.
• Think logically, analytically, and critically and employ those skills in clinical decision-making related to sonographic imaging, patient care, and patient safety.
• Adhere to the principles stated in the code of ethics and professional standards in sonography.