M6005 Master of Medical Ultrasound

The course comprises 72 credit points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundation studies (12 credit points), Part B. Professional practice (36 credit points) and Part C. Research studies (24 credit points). You must complete Part A and Part B to be accredited to practise as a sonographer in Australia.

Prior to admission to the applied ultrasound practice units (after completion of SON4000 and SON4010), you must provide evidence verifying that you are actively engaged in supervised clinical ultrasound practice for the equivalent of at least three days a week. The majority of units within this course are clinically based and you must find yourself a placement as a trainee sonographer. The University does not assist with this process. You need a placement as a trainee sonographer in order to gain the experience that is required to be competent in each of the study areas. We do not recommend that you apply for the Master of Medical Ultrasound unless you are certain that you can secure a clinical training placement.

To successfully complete the Master of Medical Ultrasound you will be required to pass clinical competency assessments and have logged a minimum of 2200 hours of supervised clinical sonography experience (general) at a suitable clinic/hospital. Students who do not pass the clinical competency assessments or are unable to complete the required 2,200 hours of supervised clinical sonography experience, will be unable to continue in the master's program. However, they will be eligible to apply to exit with either a Graduate Certificate in Medical Ultrasound (M4003) or a Graduate Diploma of Health Studies (M5015), provided they have met the academic requirements for one of those awards.

Part A. Foundation studies

These studies will develop your understanding of the scientific and technical principles of diagnostic ultrasound scanning and scanning modes. You will develop an understanding of embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology as well as image evaluation skills related to cross-sectional and regional anatomy.

Part B. Professional practice

These studies address clinical competencies required for ultrasound practice. You will learn the sonographic scanning techniques, interpretational skills and standard protocols related to examinations of breast, thyroid, abdominal, reproductive system, obstetric, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems as well as the paediatric brain, hips and abdomen.

Part C. Research studies

The focus of these studies is to develop the knowledge and skills to locate, critically evaluate and conduct research relevant to medical ultrasound practice. You will gain an understanding of research theories and methods for health research and will focus on a range of practical, technical and management issues associated with the conduct of scientific research. Access to academics and clinicians offering projects will support you during all stages of the inquiry process. You will gain theoretical knowledge of research design and methods used in undertaking research with the practical skills to conduct your own research.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Foundation studies (12 points)

You must complete the following units:

• SON4000 Physics of medical ultrasound and instrumentation
• SON4010 Embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology

Part B. Professional practice (36 points)

Prior to admission to the applied ultrasound practice units (after completion of SON4000 and SON4010), you must provide evidence verifying that you are actively engaged in supervised clinical ultrasound practice for the equivalent of at least three days a week. The majority of units within this course are clinically based and you must find yourself a placement as a trainee sonographer. The University does not assist with this process. You need a placement as a trainee sonographer in order to gain the experience that is required to be competent in each of the study areas. We do not recommend that candidates apply for the course unless they are certain that they can secure a clinical placement.

To successfully complete the Master of Medical Ultrasound you will be required to pass clinical competency assessments and have logged a minimum of 2200 hours of supervised clinical sonography experience (general) at a suitable clinic/hospital. Students who do not pass the clinical competency assessments or are unable to complete the required 2,200 hours of supervised clinical sonography experience, will be unable to continue in the master's program. However, they will be eligible to apply to exit with either a Graduate Certificate in Medical Ultrasound (M4003) or a Graduate Diploma of Health Studies (M5015), provided they have met the academic requirements for one of those awards.

You must complete the following units:

• SON5020 Sonographic professional skills and sonography of the breast and thyroid
• SON5021 Sonographic abdominal imaging
• SON5022 Sonographic imaging of the reproductive system
• SON5023 Obstetric sonography
• SON5024 Musculoskeletal, neonatal and paediatric sonography
• SON5025 Sonographic vascular and postoperative imaging
• SON5030 Professional accreditation clinical competency assessment (PACCA) (0 credit points)

Part C. Research studies (24 points)

You must complete the following units:

• SRH5003 Designing and conducting health research (12 points)
• SON5000 Ultrasound research (12 points)