Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography (Cardiac)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
City East

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Mode
Online

Program Code
IGSO

Fees
AUD$ 35,600 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [7.0]
IELTS reading [7.0]
IELTS writing [7.0]
IELTS speaking [7.0]
IELTS listening [7.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
This program is not available to students wishing to study in Australia on a student visa

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:
- Complete a letter of support confirming a training position within an ultrasound department or cardiac laboratory that will be supervised by an accredited medical sonographer who is registered with ASAR (Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry) or who has an equivalent registration; AND
- A Bachelor Degree or higher in an approved Field of Education
Approved Fields of Education

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 considered on a case by case basis.

Note: Applicants are advised that the program requires the completion of 2000 supervised clinical cardiac sonography experiences across various pathologies. Applicants are responsible for organising and maintaining an ongoing training position to acquire the requisite experience; progression through the program is conditional upon meeting prescribed milestones.
English language entry requirements
In addition to meeting academic entry requirements, international students who speak English as a second or additional language must also meet the University's English language entry requirements. The minimum language requirements for this program are:
English language test
- IELTS total [7.0]
- IELTS reading [7.0]
- IELTS writing [7.0]
- IELTS speaking [7.0]
- IELTS listening [7.0]
Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Students in this program are required to secure their own supervised training position for the duration of their study. Students must maintain a training position in order to maintain enrolment in the program.

Aim

The program provides health scientists and other allied health professionals with the mechanism to develop the competencies of a new advanced professional area in medical cardiac sonography.

Content & Structure

The program requires completion of eight prescribed courses (36 units of study), together with the satisfactory completion of 2000 clinical examinations of cardiac ultrasound across various pathologies. The prescribed courses develop knowledge, clinical skills, critical thinking and analytical skills for effective practice as a medical cardiac sonographer.

From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
LEVEL 1
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation	RADY 5030	4.5	Rule(s): 1,2
Professional Issues for Sonographers	RADY 5024	4.5	Rule(s): 2
Cardiovascular Anatomy and Embryology	RADY 5036	4.5	Rule(s): 2
Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathology	RADY 5037	4.5	Rule(s): 2
LEVEL 2
Advanced Cardiac Haemodynamics	RADY 5032	4.5	Rule(s): 4
Clinical Applications of Echocardiography	RADY 5038	4.5	Rule(s): 4,6
Advanced Cardiac Pathology	RADY 5033	4.5	Rule(s): 4,6
Cardiovascular Sonography Portfolio	RADY 5035	4.5	Rule(s): 3,5,6,8

Rules & notes

Rules

1. 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.

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

3. Students must maintain a clinical experience logbook which documents a minimum of 2000 examinations of supervised cardiac 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.

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

5. Students must have completed at least 1800 clinical cardiac ultrasound examinations and at least 2 Clinical Progress Reports to enroll in this course.

6. 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.

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

8. 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 2 years, and only by external delivery.

2. Applicants are advised that the program requires the completion of 2000 clinical cardiac sonography examinations across various pathologies in a supervised clinical placement. Applicants are responsible for organising their own training position in a cardiac ultrasound department in order to acquire the scanning experience.

3. Students who cannot maintain their training position throughout their enrolment will be offered to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Medical Sonography Principles and Theory (Cardiovascular). 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 Cardiac Sonography category. Evidence of scanning experience in an Australian or New Zealand clinical setting is required for such accreditation.