Master of Medical Sonography (General)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
City East

Duration
1.5 year(s) full-time

Mode
Online

Program Code
IMSO

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:

Professional Practice
- 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
- Complete 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 (Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry); AND EITHER
- A Bachelor Degree or higher in an approved Field of Education (FOE), and completion of the prerequisite courses at a Bachelor level or higher within the last 10 years (or prior completion with evidence of clinical application of prerequisite knowledge); OR
- A Graduate Certificate in Medical Sonography Principles and Theory (General); OR
- Current registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (or overseas equivalent, where accreditation was awarded following completion of a recognised degree)
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 OR
- equivalent courses in a sonography-specific program
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 considered on a case by case basis.

Note: Applicants who are not already registered with ASAR as a general sonographer are advised that the program requires the completion of 2200 hours of supervised clinical sonography experience. Applicants are responsible for organising and maintaining an ongoing training position to acquire the requisite experience; and 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 maintain their own supervised training position for the duration of their study, otherwise they will be unable to progress in the program.

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 totalling 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.

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	Reference
LEVEL 1			Note(s): 2
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation	RADY 5030	4.5		Rule(s): 2,3
Professional Issues for Sonographers	RADY 5024	4.5		Rule(s): 3
Abdominal Sonography	RADY 5013	4.5		Rule(s): 3
Superficial Parts Sonography	RADY 5015	4.5		Rule(s): 3
LEVEL 2
Obstetric and Gynaecologic Sonography	RADY 5014	4.5		Rule(s): 4,6,9
Vascular Sonography	RADY 5016	4.5		Rule(s): 4,6,9
Musculoskeletal Sonography	RADY 5029	4.5		Rule(s): 4,6,9
Clinical Sonography Portfolio	RADY 5026	4.5		Rule(s): 4,5,7,9,11
LEVEL 3				Rule(s): 1
Research Design and Development	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		Rule(s): 8
Advanced Musculoskeletal Sonography	RADY 5025	4.5		Rule(s): 8
Advanced Vascular Sonography	RADY 5034	4.5		Rule(s): 8
Health Ethics	HLTH 5002	4.5
Research for Advancing Nursing, Midwifery and Health Care	NURS 5153	9
Breast Sonography	RADY 5002	4.5		Rule(s): 10
Managing Employee Performance and Rewards	BUSS 5398	4.5
Advanced Obstetric and Gynaecologic Sonography	RADY 5031	4.5		Rule(s): 8
Qualitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research	NURS 5151	4.5
Quantitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research	NURS 5152	4.5
People, Leadership and Performance	BUSS 5114	4.5
Fundamentals of Data Analytics for Business	INFS 5130	4.5
Talent Acquisition and Development	BUSS 5351	4.5
Leading and Managing Organisational Change	BUSS 5065	4.5
Project Management for Business	BUSS 5139	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. 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

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

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

11. 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 cannot maintain their training position throughout their enrolment will be offered to 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.