Picture yourself on the front line of cardiac healthcare. Using advanced medical imaging technology to enable early detection and treatment of life-threatening heart conditions.
Cardiac sonographers play a vital role in specialised healthcare teams. From guiding patients through cardiac exams to capturing vital images that cardiologists depend on, their skills are essential in improving heart health and saving lives.
Whether you’re working in a hospital, clinic or specialised cardiac centre, you’ll be a key figure in your community – transforming heart care and offering hope when it’s needed most.
In just three years of part-time, online study, you can complete a Master of Medical Sonography (Cardiac) at Adelaide University. This degree sharpens your expertise in advanced clinical skills, focusing on the cardiovascular system, including the estimation of cardiac pressures and congenital heart disease.
You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of health science, physics, anatomy, and pathology, all essential for examining the heart. The program combines theory with hands-on practice, including completing at least 2,000 supervised cardiac scans, ensuring you’re ready to excel in the field when you graduate.
You’ll gain critical thinking and analytical skills, and specialised knowledge to make impactful contributions to patient care and research in cardiac sonography.
Your career opportunities are wide-ranging and impactful. Whether you’re working in a public or private hospital, a leading research institution, or a private cardiac clinic, you’ll play a crucial role in diagnosing and caring for patients.
Take specialised courses covering all aspects of cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, embryology and pathology. Hone your technical skills through completing 2000 supervised cardiac scans. Explore other areas of interest with electives in management, ethics and more. Learn from world-class researchers and experienced medical sonography professionals. Study this part-time degree online. Develop advanced research skills, preparing you for a future research pathway. When you study the Master of Medical Sonography (Cardiac) at Adelaide University, you’ll master the core principles of ultrasound technology, with a focus on the cardiovascular system.
This program will equip you with the advanced clinical and research skills needed to excel in the fast-paced field of cardiac sonography.
Over three years of part-time, online study, you’ll learn how to use ultrasound equipment to examine the heart and blood vessels. You’ll start with core courses like ultrasound physics and instrumentation, and cardiovascular anatomy and embryology.
As you progress, you’ll take specialised courses such as advanced cardiac haemodynamics and clinical applications of echocardiography.
You can further tailor your studies with electives to fit your career goals - whether in clinical practice, research, or leadership roles.
Options include:
Practical experience is key in this program. You’ll complete supervised cardiac scanning and real-world clinical training helping you to apply what you’ve learnt in busy healthcare settings.
Learn from world-class researchers and skilled sonography experts through online discussion forums and virtual classrooms. These interactive sessions not only help you gain valuable knowledge but also connect you with industry professionals, building important networks for your future career.
The combination of theory, hands-on learning and specialised electives, ensures you’ll graduate ready to make a significant impact in the field of cardiac sonography.
This degree can be studied mostly online, however it may also have some on-campus and/or in-person requirements you will need to complete for accreditation purposes. This may include in-person intensive classes, workshops or professional placements.
This degree is part of a stackable set of qualifications, meaning your study choices are flexible. If your goals shift, you can exit after six months of study with a standalone Graduate Certificate or after one year with a Graduate Diploma qualification.
You can also begin your studies with a shorter qualification like the six-month Graduate Certificate and continue on to complete the Graduate Diploma (one year) or full master’s degree.
Complete 72 units comprising:
Complete 18 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Professional Issues for Sonographers
|
Course code
RADI5006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
|
Course code
RADI5007
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Allied Health Research Evidence Translation
|
Course code
REHB5003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Research Design and Development
|
Course code
HLTH6002
|
Units
6
|
Notes
1. Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography (Cardiac) from Adelaide University (or equivalent) will be granted 48 units of credit and will commence the program from level 3.
2. 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.
3. Participation is required in clinical placements where students are required to physically handle people including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.
4. The program is offered on a part-time basis over a minimum of 3 years, and is offered only by external delivery.
5. 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.
Core courses - 1. Credit will be given for RADI5007 - Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation 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 year 1 courses prior to enrolling in the remainder of the program.
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Professional Issues for Sonographers
|
Course code
RADI5006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Anatomy and Embryology
|
Course code
RADI5026
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
|
Course code
RADI5007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathology
|
Course code
HLTH5902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Cardiac Haemodynamics
|
Course code
HLTH5900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Clinical Applications of Echocardiography
|
Course code
RADI5013
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Cardiac Pathology
|
Course code
RADI5009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Sonography Portfolio
|
Course code
RADI5011
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 36 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Cardiac Pathology
|
Course code
RADI5009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Sonography Portfolio
|
Course code
RADI5011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Clinical Applications of Echocardiography
|
Course code
RADI5013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Anatomy and Embryology
|
Course code
RADI5026
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Cardiac Haemodynamics
|
Course code
HLTH5900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathology
|
Course code
HLTH5902
|
Units
6
|
Notes
1. Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography (Cardiac) from Adelaide University (or equivalent) will be granted 48 units of credit and will commence the program from level 3.
2. 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.
3. Participation is required in clinical placements where students are required to physically handle people including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.
4. The program is offered on a part-time basis over a minimum of 3 years, and is offered only by external delivery.
5. 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.
1. Advanced Cardiac Pathology - RADI5009, Cardiovascular Sonography Portfolio - RADI5011, Clinical Applications of Echocardiography - RADI5013, Cardiovascular Anatomy and Embryology - RADI5026: 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). Participation is required in clinical placements where students are required to physically handle people including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.At the completion of these courses, students must submit a Clinical Progress Report (except RADI5011)
2. Students must have completed at least 1800 clinical cardiac ultrasound examinations and at least 2 Clinical Progress Reports to enrol in Cardiovascular Sonography Portfolio - RADI5011. For this course all students must attend a compulsory OSCE examination on campus in Adelaide.
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Professional Issues for Sonographers
|
Course code
RADI5006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Anatomy and Embryology
|
Course code
RADI5026
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
|
Course code
RADI5007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathology
|
Course code
HLTH5902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Cardiac Haemodynamics
|
Course code
HLTH5900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Clinical Applications of Echocardiography
|
Course code
RADI5013
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Cardiac Pathology
|
Course code
RADI5009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Sonography Portfolio
|
Course code
RADI5011
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Business Analytics
|
Course code
BUSI6022
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Health Ethics
|
Course code
HLTH5000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
People, Leadership and Organisational Performance
|
Course code
HRES5002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Talent Acquisition and Development
|
Course code
HRES5003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Managing Employee Performance and Rewards
|
Course code
HRES5004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Managing Organisational Development and Change
|
Course code
HRES5008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Quantitative Design for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Research
|
Course code
NURS5028
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Research for Advancing Nursing, Midwifery and Health Care
|
Course code
NURS5029
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Project Management Fundamentals
|
Course code
PROJX500
|
Units
6
|
Notes
1. Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Medical Sonography (Cardiac) from Adelaide University (or equivalent) will be granted 48 units of credit and will commence the program from level 3.
2. 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.
3. Participation is required in clinical placements where students are required to physically handle people including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.
4. The program is offered on a part-time basis over a minimum of 3 years, and is offered only by external delivery.
5. 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.
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Professional Issues for Sonographers
|
Course code
RADI5006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Anatomy and Embryology
|
Course code
RADI5026
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
|
Course code
RADI5007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathology
|
Course code
HLTH5902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Cardiac Haemodynamics
|
Course code
HLTH5900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Clinical Applications of Echocardiography
|
Course code
RADI5013
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Cardiac Pathology
|
Course code
RADI5009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cardiovascular Sonography Portfolio
|
Course code
RADI5011
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
After graduating, you might find yourself working as a cardiac sonographer in a major hospital, using advanced ultrasound technology to assess heart health and provide vital information for patient care. You may take on a role in a cardiology practice or cardiac laboratory, where you’ll perform detailed heart scans, explain procedures to patients, and work closely with cardiologists to develop treatment plans. Or you could contribute to education as a trainer in a tertiary institution, helping to shape the next generation of sonographers.
Your career options are diverse, with opportunities to work in:
As a cardiac sonographer, you'll be at the heart of patient care, using your skills to reveal the vital details that drive life-saving decisions.
Australia faces a severe shortage of sonographers, especially in specialised fields like cardiac sonography. The Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA Skills Priority List) reports that 96% of employers are struggling to fill positions, particularly in regional and rural areas.
The demand for imaging services - driven by an ageing population and rising chronic diseases - is growing rapidly but the supply of trained professionals has not kept pace, worsening the shortage.
There’s also a global rise in the need for sonography services, including cardiac sonography. This surge is driven by advancements in technology and the increasing demand for non-invasive diagnostic procedures.
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
