TCC Health Care Professions programs earn accreditations

FORT WORTH, Texas — Two of Tarrant County College’s Health Care Professions programs have received continuing accreditation, and another achieved initial accreditation.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Nursing received continuing certification, while the Ophthalmic Technician program is now fully accredited by the International Council of Accreditation of Allied Ophthalmic Education Programs for the Ophthalmic Assistant II certificate and the Ophthalmic Technician associate degree.

TCC Trinity River President Sean Madison called the College’s acclaimed allied health programs “a testament to the dedication and expertise of our faculty and staff — they are committed to providing our students with the highest quality education.”

Dr. Madison credits TCC with “offering rigorous academic programs and industry-relevant training” that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the healthcare marketplace.

The TCC Nursing program’s accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) was extended to 2032. Dr. Nikolaos Moraros, dean of the nursing program, said the accreditation shows the exceptional quality of the program and its adherence to rigorous educational standards.

“This reaccreditation reflects our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching strategies and a student-centered approach to learning,” he said. “The ACEN accreditation also strengthens our graduates’ competitiveness in the job market as employers recognize the value of a nationally accredited institution.”

TCC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program was first accredited in 2018 by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) through the Joint Review Committee on Accreditation for Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in vascular, abdomen extended, and obstetrics and gynecology concentrations.

“We received our continuing accreditation from CAAHEP this year for all three concentrations for the next five years,” said Brandie Bach, sonography program director. “Our sonography program is one of only six colleges in Texas that are accredited in these three concentrations.”

Bach said about 65 registered sonographers from the TCC program are working in the community. “This year, our program job placement rates are 100 percent.” Additionally, the entire 2024 class passed all three of the national registry certifications prior to graduation.

Full accreditation of two pathways was awarded by the International Council of Accreditation of Allied Ophthalmic Education Programs (ICA) to TCC’s Ophthalmic Assistant II certificate of completion and the Ophthalmic Technician associate degree. These were in addition to the existing accredited Ophthalmic Assistant I certificate.

“Accreditation by the ICA ensures our program meets rigorous standards, providing students with high-quality education and training,” said Cornesha Day, program director of the Ophthalmic Assistant and Technician program. “Our accredited programs prepare students for successful careers in the expanding field of ophthalmic technology, including the ability to sit for relevant certification exams.”

Nursing — TCC

Diagnostic Medical Sonography — TCC

Ophthalmic Technician — TCC

Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.