Educational Policy of Graduate School of Health Sciences (Master's Course) (Medical Sonographer Course (Integrated Master's and Doctoral Program))
Fundamental Educational Goals
On the Sonographer Training Course, we continually improve our educational activities, which is the most important mission requested by society. Based on the results of advanced research activities so far, we aim to foster the ability of students to actively participate in the “creation of knowledge”. At the same time, we support the development of students’ individuality through close dialogue and discussion among students and faculty members, aiming to provide an education that nurtures individuals with a wide range of capabilities and personalities that can play a central role in a wide range of fields, but primarily in domestic and international healthcare.
Exemplary Students
We strive to produce advanced professionals who are capable of problem-solving from various perspectives in medical sciences to master medical ultrasound diagnostic technology.
The main goal of the Sonographer Training Course, is the “Practice and Establishment of Health Promotion”. To achieve this goal, our educational philosophies of “Holistic Care” and “Team Care” develop highly specialized professionals with research abilities who can contribute to the establishment of specific fields, and respond to the demands of society.
Specifically, we encourage individuals to develop the following five abilities:
○ Implementation Ability: To provide comprehensive and advanced health and medical care, connect with the world, acknowledge different values, and lead to the resolution of issues in medical ultrasound diagnosis.
○ Inquiry Ability: To possess basic research ability, and approach the issues of medical ultrasound diagnosis logically from multi-perspectives.
○ Communication Ability: To collaborate at the core of a health and medical care team.
○ Specialized Ability: To integrate advanced knowledge and techniques of medical ultrasound technology and contribute to the improvement of health, medical care, and welfare.
○ Liberal Arts Ability: To deepen their knowledge from a wide range of learning opportunities in order to flexibly respond to changes in society and the environment.
Degree Policy
The Sonographer Training Course awards degrees to students who have studied for the prescribed period of time and have acquired the following competencies and credits required to develop as exemplary students.
Abilities acquired: Implementation Ability, Inquiry Ability, Communication Ability, Specialized Ability, Liberal Arts Ability
【Implementation Ability】The ability that leads to the resolution of challenges in medical ultrasonography, by connecting with the world, recognizing different values, and aiming for comprehensive and advanced health care.
Can understand different values and take the initiative to solve problems when dealing with the challenges of clinical medical ultrasound diagnosis.
Can contribute to health promotion in local and international communities.
Can practice comprehensive and advanced health and medical care.
【Inquiry Ability】The ability to carry out basic research and approach the issues of medical ultrasonography logically and from multiple perspectives.
Can use specialized knowledge of medical ultrasound diagnosis to identify problems through a multifaceted examination and independently find solutions.
Can explain the essence of a problem in a way that professionals from other fields can understand.
【Communication Ability】As the core of a health and medical care team, can deeply collaborate with others.
As a medical ultrasound diagnostic professional, can understand their role in team-based healthcare.
Through smooth communication, can enhance other’s abilities beyond their professional areas.
【Specialized Ability】Can integrate advanced knowledge and techniques in medical ultrasonography to contribute to the improvement of health care, medical care, and welfare.
Has acquired knowledge and techniques regarding the research methods of medical ultrasound diagnostic technology.
Can deeply integrate knowledge and skills in a practical manner.
【Liberal Arts Ability】Can deepen their knowledge from a wide range of learning sources and flexibly respond to changes in society and the environment.
Can collect and analyze information and utilize it appropriately.
Can identify directions and plan for their own and society's future.
Can connect broader and deeper learning to personal growth.
Curriculum Policy
To educate students on the Sonographer Training Course to acquire the abilities stated in the Degree Policy, we organize and implement an educational curriculum based on the following policies and ideas.
Education Implementation Policy
We implement educational policies to cultivate the ability of students to continue learning independently towards the practice of a sustainable society.
Education principles, methods, and evaluation
From the perspective of autonomous, dialogical, and deep learning, we prioritize not “what was taught” but “what students have become able to do,” and provide the following educational content and methods in general education, specialized education, and language education respectively.
【General Education】
We aim to cultivate general skills required of all students and provide practical activities where students can foster learning and growth together.
On the Sonography Training Program, we implement an educational program to realize the Diploma Policy. The standard period of study in our master’s program is two years. During this period, students must obtain more than the completion requirement credits in this sub program, receive necessary research guidance, submit a degree thesis, and pass a final examination.
In the first year, in the “Introduction to Degree Program” we outline our learner-centered degree program and share our image of an exemplary student; list learning objectives and learning outcomes; teach about research ethics, intellectual property rights, and information security; and encourage students to learn independently. In “Leadership and SDGs” students learn about SDGs, UN agencies, JICA, local community issues, business ideas, fundraising, policy-making, innovation, and entrepreneurship as ways to contribute continuously to society throughout life. In the elective courses “Topics in Health Promotion Science” and “Topics in Medical Bioethics”, we conduct discussion and debate of various issues, and by studying past case studies and countermeasures in “Risk Management” we develop advanced professionals who can flexibly respond to changes in society and the environment. In doing so they can provide comprehensive and advanced health and medical care as members of health and medical teams and can contribute to public health and health promotion. In “Topics in Research Methodology”, we teach the latest research methods.
Concerning learning evaluation, we clearly specify the standards and methods for course grade evaluations in advance, and strictly evaluate learning outcomes based on these standards. For master's theses or specific issues in graduate courses, we make clear the criteria and methods for review, and conduct a final review and examination of research outcomes based on these criteria. For theses, passing the final review and examination is required. The final review and examination of the thesis are conducted by a review committee consisting of two or more members (however, external researchers can also be invited as members if budget measures within the same program permit). The chair of the review committee (chief examiner) is elected by mutual vote among the committee members.
【Specialized Education】
Our educational approach delivers deep understanding through a systematic presentation of specialized areas and offers opportunities for the integration and creation of knowledge across different specialties.
In the first year, interdisciplinary courses, seminars, and other related activities are provided, including evaluations through reports and presentations. This program is designed to cultivate highly skilled professionals who are equipped with advanced knowledge and skills to contribute to the improvement of health, medical care, and welfare.
Through two years of 'Thesis Research' starting from the first year, we foster a foundation of research capabilities and a spirit of inquiry. Students will cultivate the disposition for lifelong learning and self-improvement. In close interaction with the faculty, they will tackle research projects, compiling their findings into a thesis over two years. We support this process, aiming to enhance their cutting-edge knowledge and skills in research areas, as well as their problem-solving capabilities and logical thinking skills. At the halfway point, students will have opportunities for evaluation at presentations with other graduate students and faculty, helping them understand the issues and positioning of their research.
To cultivate students who possess both a broad liberal arts education that spans across specialties and advanced expertise, we provide a carefully designed guidance system that caters to students' needs. This includes a primary mentor and, if necessary, secondary mentors to oversee the research process.
For students who lack practical experience as working adults before or during their studies, we mandate participation in the 'Internship Practice (Master)' course. This provides opportunities for students to apply their learning outcomes through practical experience in local communities.
In the 'Ultrasound Technician Training Course,' which is specifically designed for training medical professionals, we incorporate internships and exercises at Okayama University Hospital, regional core hospitals, and other advanced medical facilities. Over two years, we deliver practical education that instills advanced specialized knowledge and skills, foundational research capabilities, and other necessary knowledge and skills outside of their specialty. Each field's experts evaluate the acquired knowledge and skills from a clinical perspective.
By implementing the above educational curriculum, we aim to nurture individuals who can provide holistic and innovative health and medical care as core members of a health care team, based on their rich specialized knowledge and skills. These individuals are expected to flexibly respond to changes and challenges throughout their lives and contribute to the practice of health promotion.
The educational curriculum we have constructed is continuously improved based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle from various perspectives such as faculty FD, organizational internal evaluation, external evaluation, and analysis of student course evaluation surveys, contributing to the SDGs.
Regarding learning evaluation, we strictly evaluate learning outcomes based on clearly stipulated criteria and methods for grading course subjects.
【Language Education】
We offer an educational program designed to enhance English language proficiency; a skill necessary for navigating global society.
We evaluate and credit the presentation of research findings domestically and internationally, along with internships and research activities abroad, over a span of two years. We aim to foster presentation, communication, and debate skills and provide support for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in English.
Extracurricular Education Policy
We provide opportunities for extracurricular activities that allow students to experience personal growth beyond what they learn in the classroom.