Master of Medical Sonography (General), University of South Australia (UniSA). 2020 information for Australian students

This degree is only available to Australian students

You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:

Australian or New Zealand Citizen
Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City East

Duration
1.5 year(s) full-time

Program Code
IMSOF

SATAC Code
4CM549 (External)

Study as
Part-time only

Mode
Online

Fees
$AU 27,900 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2020

Entry requirements
Applicants must:
be qualified as a medical radiation professional with a recognised Bachelor degree, or equivalent qualification, and have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit average) or international equivalent; OR

hold a recognised Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography or equivalent qualification and have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit average) or international equivalent; OR
be an Accredited Medical Sonographer with 5 years accredited experience; OR
be an Accredited Medical Sonographer with 2 years accredited experience where accreditation was awarded following completion of a recognised Bachelor degree; OR

have completed a recognised higher education program at Bachelor degree level or higher from a recognised higher education institution, and have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit average) or international equivalent, together with:

the following pre requisite courses successfully completed within the last 10 years from a recognised higher education institution:

1. 4.5 units* of successfully passed study or equivalent at a minimum of bachelor's degree level (AQF 7) of Human Anatomy, which includes anatomy of the head and neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis, and the musculoskeletal and vascular systems; AND
2. two courses each equivalent to 4.5 units* of Human Physiology at bachelor's degree level (AQF 7) with at least a pass level; AND
3. 4.5 units* of successfully passed study or equivalent at a minimum of bachelor's degree level (AQF 7) of Human Pathology or Pathophysiology.

Applicants who hold a recognised bachelor's degree must complete Section A of the additional information form to confirm the Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and Pathology (or Pathophysiology) content. Applicants who hold a recognised bachelor's degree with no clinical placements embedded in the program must also:

provide documented evidence that they have secured a training position within an ultrasound department, and are/will be supervised by an accredited medical sonographer who is registered with ASAR;
OR
complete Section B of the form, providing evidence of 300 hours of clinical experience in a patient care environment as described in the form. The form can be found at: http://www.unisa.edu.au/health/form- IMSO_IGSO

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.
* 4.5 units is equivalent to 12.5% of a full year load.

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Students in this program are required to secure their own supervised training position for the duration of their study. Students that have not secured a placement are unable to progress in the program after the first four courses.

Aim

The program provides medical radiation and other allied health professionals with the mechanism to develop a new professional area in medical sonography and, if desired, to undertake research in this specialist area.

Content & Structure

The program requires completion of courses totaling 54 units of study, together with the satisfactory completion of 2200 hours of ultrasound scanning experience and associated clinical examinations. The eight core courses (36 units of study) develop knowledge, clinical skills, critical thinking and analytical skills for effective practice as a medical sonographer. One core course (4.5 units of study) provides foundational research knowledge. The remaining units of study provide the opportunity for students to advance their knowledge in specialist areas of medical sonography practice or to undertake research in a specific area of medical sonography.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
LEVEL 1
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation	RADY 5030	4.5
Professional Issues for Sonographers	RADY 5024	4.5
Abdominal Sonography	RADY 5013	4.5
Superficial Parts Sonography	RADY 5015	4.5
LEVEL 2
Obstetric and Gynaecologic Sonography	RADY 5014	4.5
Vascular Sonography	RADY 5016	4.5
Musculoskeletal Sonography	RADY 5029	4.5
Clinical Sonography Portfolio	RADY 5026	4.5
LEVEL 3
RESEARCH PATHWAY
Qualitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research	NURS 5151	4.5
OR
Quantitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research	NURS 5152	4.5
AND
Minor Thesis 1	HLTH 6014	4.5
Health Science Minor Thesis 2	HLTH 5186	9
PROJECT PATHWAY
Minor Thesis 1	HLTH 6014	4.5
OR
Allied Health Research Evidence Translation	REHB 5118	4.5
Plus 13.5 Units of electives chosen from the following:
Fetal Echocardiography	RADY 5027	4.5
Advanced Musculoskeletal Sonography	RADY 5025	4.5
Advanced Vascular Sonography	RADY 5034	4.5
Health Ethics	HLTH 5002	4.5
Research for Advancing Nursing, Midwifery and Health Care	NURS 5153	9
Health Science Advanced Skill Project	HLTH 5184	9
Health Science Advanced or Extended Practice Report	HLTH 5147	4.5
Breast Sonography	RADY 5002	4.5
Managing Employee Performance and Rewards	BUSS 5398	4.5
Advanced Obstetric and Gynaecologic Sonography	RADY 5031	4.5
Qualitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research	NURS 5151	4.5
Quantitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research	NURS 5152	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography (General) from the University of South Australia (or equivalent) will be granted 36 units of credit and will commence the program from level 3.

2. Credit will be given for this course if the student can provide proof of completion of the Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography Part 1, awarded by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine, within 5 years prior to enrolment in the program.

3. Students must successfully complete the four Level 1 courses prior to enrolling in the remainder of the program.

4. Students must provide evidence that they have a supervised external training position for the duration of these courses. For all domestic students and for international students training in Australia, supervision must be provided by a sonographer(s) registered with the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR).

5. Students must maintain a clinical experience logbook which documents a minimum of 2200 hours of supervised ultrasound experience (verified by an ASAR accredited sonographer) over the duration of the program. Students will be required to submit evidence at prescribed milestones set by the Program Director.

6. At the completion of this course students must submit a Clinical Progress Report.

7. Students must have completed at least 2000 hours of clinical sonography experience and at least 2 Clinical Progress Reports to enrol in this course.

8. Students must select either the Research or Project pathway of study from this point in their program.

9. Students undertaking this pathway must have written agreement from a suitably qualified member of staff that they are willing to supervise the student for the duration of the pathway.

10. For this course a knowledge of general medical sonography scanning principles will be assumed. Co-requisite is that the student should be an accredited medical sonographer (general), or equivalent, and must be working in an environment where diagnostic medical sonography relevant to the course content is performed

11. Participation is required in clinical placements where students are required to physically handle people including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.

12. For this course all students must be working in an environment where diagnostic medical sonography relevant to the course content is performed.

13. For this course all students must attend a compulsory OSCE examination on campus in Adelaide.

Notes

1. The program is offered on a part-time basis over a minimum of 3 years, and is offered only by external delivery.

2. Students who are unable to secure a training position after completing level 1 courses in the program will be offered exit with a Graduate Certificate in Medical Sonography Principles and Theory (General). The Graduate Certificate exit award will NOT provide the student with ASAR accreditation.

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program enables graduates to apply for full professional accreditation from the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) under the General Sonography category. Evidence of scanning experience in an Australian or New Zealand clinical setting is required for such accreditation.