Master of Medical Sonography (General)

If you are a medical radiation or other allied health professional and want to broaden your career prospects, this master degree may be for you.

In just three years of part-time study you will extend your knowledge, practical skills and understanding of medical sonography, with the opportunity to learn advanced clinical skills, or pursue research.

This is great news for students who want to study in among work and other life commitments, giving you the freedom to learn wherever, whenever.

General sonographers require highly developed technical skills and a strong understanding of physics, anatomy and pathology for the examination of body parts such as internal organs, blood vessels, musculoskeletal systems, reproductive organs and pregnancies.

Practical learning is a major focus, with students embarking on 2,200 hours of ultrasound training and associated clinical placements.

This degree in only offered online, with attendance at an on-campus final clinical assessment.

It can only be studied part-time, over a minimum of three years.

This qualification may also suit qualified sonographers seeking to upskill in an area of interest.

What you'll need Applicants are responsible for organising their own training position in an ultrasound department in order to complete the required scanning experience.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria: Professional Practice

• Hold current registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (or overseas equivalent, where accreditation was awarded following completion of a recognised degree); OR
• Hold current registration as a General Sonographer with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (or overseas equivalent, where accreditation was awarded following completion of a recognised degree)

OR Higher Education Study

• Hold a Bachelor Degree or higher in an approved Field of Education (FOE); AND
• Have completed the prerequisite courses at a Bachelor level or higher within the last 10 years (from date of application); AND
• Hold a letter of support confirming a training position within a General ultrasound department that will be supervised by an accredited medical sonographer who is registered with ASAR OR have completed a minimum of 300 hours of clinical experience in a patient care environment

All applicants are required to complete the Additional Information Form and provide supporting evidence Prerequisite courses Higher Education Study applicants are required to provide evidence of satisfactory completion of the following prerequisite courses:

• 0.125 EFTSL of Human Anatomy, which includes anatomy of the head and neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis, and the musculoskeletal and vascular systems; AND
• 0.250 EFTS of Human Physiology; AND
• 0.125 EFTSL of Human Pathology or Pathophysiology

Approved Fields of Education Higher Education Study applicants are required to have completed a program of study (at Bachelor level or higher) in one of the following approved Fields of Education (FOE):

• Medical Studies
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Radiography
• Rehabilitation Therapies (excluding Audiology and Massage Therapy)
• Dentistry
• Optometry
• Human Movement
• Paramedical Studies
• Health Science

Applicants with a qualification from a FOE not listed above may be approved at the discretion of the Program Director.

Note: Applicants are advised that the program requires the completion of 2200 hours of supervised ultrasound experience. Applicants are responsible for organising their own training position in an ultrasound department in order to acquire the scanning experience.

Applicants are responsible for organising their own training position in an ultrasound department in order to complete the required scanning experience.

Through a combination of theory and practice you will gain advanced technical skills and a strong understanding of health science, physics, anatomy and pathology.

You will acquire:

• advanced knowledge in a specialist area of medical sonography
• critical thinking and analytical skills for effective practice as a medical sonographer
• foundational research knowledge.

You can choose to study areas of your interest, including fetal echocardiography, obstetrics, advanced musculoskeletal sonography, management and ethics, or research.

You will also be required to complete at least 2,200 hours of supervised ultrasound scanning experience (verified by an ASAR accredited sonographer or equivalent).

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. Australian and international students may have the option to do an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas. We have links with universities worldwide. You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Learn from world-class researchers and experienced medical sonography professionals via our online collaborative environment.

These important virtual classes offer the opportunity for you to learn from clinicians in the field, and also enables and encourages the building of important industry networks and relationships.

During your studies you will complete 2,200 hours of ultrasound scanning experience and clinical examinations where you will be supervised by practicing clinicians. This is an opportunity for you to further develop your practical skills and to network.

Your career

There is a current shortage of specialised sonographers in Australia and New Zealand.1 Sonographers require highly developed technical skills and a strong understanding of health science, physics, anatomy and pathology for examination of body parts such as internal organs, blood vessels, musculoskeletal systems, reproductive organs and pregnancies. As a graduate, you can find work as an accredited medical sonographer in metropolitan, rural and remote locations, across settings including:

• hospitals
• private practices
• tertiary education providers.

As a masters graduate you may also choose to pursue a career in research – if you do choose to pursue a career in research you can further your studies with a Masters by Research or a Doctor of Philosophy qualification.

1Parliament of Australia, Diagnostic imaging workforce.

Applying to study with us:

• check the Postgraduate Health Science Closing Dates page for application closing dates
• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.