Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography

CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography is a four-year linked degree / post-graduate diploma program. The combined program is the first of its kind in Australia, providing students the opportunity to enter the profession with no prior degree in a health sciences area.

Together the degrees provide a comprehensive four-year program in medical sonography that incorporates 62 weeks of clinical time designed with reflective learning practices so that at each progressive stage of clinical experience, skills and knowledge already learned can be applied.   In fact, CQUniversity graduates will be recognised as practitioners of the highest calibre with accreditation as a sonographer competent to perform all the major types of ultrasound examinations (excluding echocardiography).

Our program has a distinct focus on the community with clinical placement carried out at suitable health providers throughout Queensland and New South Wales.  Students will be educated and trained in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built environment based in Mackay, Queensland or Sydney, New South Wales using the latest digital technology and simulated learning clinics.

This is also the only sonography program in Australia which offers you the option of studying the first year of the program by distance education, allowing you the flexibility to balance your study, work and life commitments.

What am I studying?

A medical sonographer (or ultrasonographer) is a health professional who uses ultrasonic equipment to produce diagnostic images, scans, videos, or 3D or 4D volumes of anatomy and diagnostic data. A sonographer scans, views, analyses and modifies images to optimise the information available to support the health care of a patient. Sonographers work with leading-edge technology that is constantly evolving. A qualification in medical sonography is globally recognised and a career in sonography offers great remuneration and the opportunity to work throughout the world.

Why Study Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography at CQUni

CQUniversity’s health and medical sciences programs have been developed to meet the ever increasing needs of our communities both here in Australia and for the wider global audience. They include the flagship areas of nursing and midwifery, health promotion and occupational health and safety with new offerings in medical science specialisations (pathology, clinical investigation and nutrition), medical imaging, paramedic science, medical sonography and exercise and sport science oral health, podiatry, speech pathology, chiropractic science and health science (allied health).

CQUniversity programs are constantly being reviewed and updated in consultation with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that they are relevant and up to date. In fact, our suite of new offerings has been built as a direct response to industry needs by people with specialised industry experience.

Another key feature in the large majority of CQUniversity’s health and medical science programs is the integration of workplace-integrated learning or learning on the job. Students are required to complete course undertakings in real-life workplaces, allowing them to put learning directly into practice.  This hands-on, project-based learning is a key reason as to why CQUniversity graduates are highly sought after by employers.  

Quality on-campus facilities ensure learning is delivered ‘in context’, taught in a similar setting to that of a real-world situation.  New facilities including state-of-the-art technology for fitness and body function testing offer exercise and sport science students sophisticated training.  Nursing students have access to fully equipped labs that replicate a real-life hospital ward, while medical imaging and medical sonography are taught from new purpose built multi-million dollar labs in Mackay.

Work Integrated Learning

You will be required to undertake a minimum of 62 weeks of clinical study in the workplace.

Career Opportunities

On completion of a Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography you will be able to practice as a sonographer (or ultrasonographer) in organisationsareas such as public and private hospitals, clinics and community health care services.  Australian sonographers are well regarded globally, enabling strong employment opportunities for graduates seeking to travel and work overseas.

Program Structure

You are required to complete 26 courses throughout the program, including eight core medical science courses in the first year, and 18 specialist courses in the final three years.The 6 courses in the fourth year are postgraduate level courses.

Professional Accreditation

The combined program of Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography has been accredited by the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASA). Both parts of the program must be completed to gain accreditation. This is the first accredited program of its kind in Australia which allows applicants the opportunity to study Sonography without having first taken another degree.

Professional Recognition

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to join the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR).

*ATAR is an approximation only and subject to change due to annual fluctuations in measures.