Master of Medical Sonography (Cardiac)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
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You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Mode
Online
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Entry requirements
Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:
Professional Practice
- Current registration as a Cardiac 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 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
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 cardiac sonographer 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.
Preliminary assessment of pre-requisites is not available for this program. International students in Australia on a student visa cannot enrol in this program as it's delivered online.
Degree overview
- Broaden your career opportunities by extending your knowledge, practical skills and understanding of ultrasound imaging health trends, specialising in cardiac sonography.
- Join the only university in Australia to offer a full suite of accredited postgraduate sonography degrees.
- Learn from award-winning teachers at a university with above world-class research in clinical sciences.1
- Suitable for qualified sonographers, health science, medical radiation and other allied health professionals employed in an appropriate practice.
- Focus on areas such as management and ethics, or research.
- Get practical experience from 2,000 supervised cardiac ultrasound cases and associated clinical examinations as part of your studies.
- Apply for registration with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) as an accredited cardiac sonographer upon completion of the program.
- Join the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers.2
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23– Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.
Snapshot
In three years of part-time, online study, you can attain a master's degree in medical sonography, with the opportunity to learn advanced clinical skills, or pursue research.
Cardiac sonographers focus on the cardiovascular system including estimation of cardiac pressures and congenital heart disease. They require highly developed technical skills and a strong understanding of health science, physics, anatomy and pathology for examination of the heart.
What you'll need
Applicants who are not accredited medical sonographers registered with ASAR are responsible for organising a letter of support confirming their own training position in an ultrasound department, in order to meet entry requirements.
What you'll learn
Through a combination of theory and practice you’ll gain advanced technical skills and a strong understanding of health science, physics, anatomy and pathology. The curriculum focuses on the cardiovascular system including estimation of cardiac pressures and congenital heart disease.
You’ll acquire:
- advanced knowledge in a specialist area of medical sonography
- critical thinking and analytical skills for effective practice as a cardiac sonographer
- foundational research knowledge
You can choose to study areas of your interest, including management and ethics, or research.
You’ll also complete at least 2,000 supervised cardiac scanning cases (verified by an ASAR accredited sonographer or equivalent).
Study hours
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, as well as to 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.
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
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.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Master of Medical Sonography (Cardiac)
This degree is the only one of its kind in South Australia, and UniSA is the only university in Australia to offer a full suite of accredited postgraduate sonography degrees.
We have a well-established history of teaching sonography and are recognised both nationally and internationally for our sonography specialisations. Practical learning is a major focus, with students embarking on 2,200 scans of ultrasound training and associated clinical placements.
As Australia’s University of Enterprise, UniSA has become a renowned centre of innovation in the sectors driving Australia's future forward, including health. In the most recent Excellence in Research for Australia evaluation (2018), 100% of our assessed research in public health and health services was rated at world-class or above.
Real-world connections
Learn from world-class researchers and experienced medical sonography professionals via our online discussion forum and virtual classrooms. These virtual classes give you the opportunity to build important industry networks and relationships.
During your studies you’ll complete 2,000 cardiac ultrasound cases and clinical examinations, supervised by practicing clinicians.
Online study
Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. This means that you can:
- study online, including accessing videos and course resources
- participate in an interactive online learning environment
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use discussion forums for team work and communication
With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment, you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle.
Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any applicable requirements will be detailed on individual course pages.
Your career
The field of medical sonography is always evolving with technological advancements, and strong future demand is predicted due to Australia’s national shortage of sonographers.1
As a graduate, you can find work as an accredited Cardiac Medical Sonographer in metro, rural and remote locations across:
- private and public medical imaging departments
- specialist areas including cardiac laboratories and cardiology practices
- hospitals
- tertiary education providers
Sonographers perform a broad range of tasks and duties, including:
- explaining procedures to patients, answering questions and ensuring patient welfare throughout the exam
- examining referrals from and writing reports for doctors
- operating equipment to ensure the interior images are clear
- positioning patients, equipment and screens for maximum exposure and clarity
- selecting the images needed for diagnostic purposes
1National Skills Commission, Skills Priority List 2022
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.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces 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 also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal 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.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
I have over two decades of experience as a clinical cardiac sonographer, a strong research background reaching national and international groups, and expertise in advanced echocardiographic techniques. All of this informs my teaching as Program Director of the Medical Sonography suite, where I’m dedicated to ensuring our students get a quality education that prepares them for rewarding careers.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
It is rewarding to work as part of a dedicated professional team helping patients throughout their cardiac journey and leading them to an improved quality of life. I see the heart as a fascinating organ and enjoy the complexity of scanning such a dynamic structure, whilst providing the best patient care and results.
Sheree Brooks
Clinical Services Manager | SA Heart
