The Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Sonography is an accredited graduate entry training program in cardiac sonography (echocardiography). It integrates online and on-campus learning activities with the students’ workplace training in sonography practice. The workplace training will consist, at a minimum, of 21 hours a week for the duration of the program (equal to 2016 hours), which is the benchmark set to be considered eligible for accreditation with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry. Students will develop theoretical, practical, and professional skills that are essential for the practice of cardiac sonography and for further professional development.  

Study Mode

Two years part-time.

Program Advice

Dr Paul Stoodley

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Campbelltown Campus	Part-time	Multi Modal	Paul Stoodley

Accreditation

This program is accredited with the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry.  Students will be eligible to be registered as a student sonographer, and upon graduating will be eligible to be an accredited cardiac sonographer. Graduates may also be eligible for professional membership with appropriate professional associations.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent Requirements

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Clinical training of a minimum three days in cardiac sonography each week (or 21 hours) is required for the duration of the program (as per entry requirements). This is necessary for program accreditation and will be made clear to all program applicants and reaffirmed when students are offered a conditional position in the program. Students are responsible for making these arrangements, which must be confirmed two weeks prior to the start of semester 1 year 1. 

When students are offered a conditional position in the program, they will be sent a clinical practice verification form, which is to be returned as soon as possible, so that measures to verify the suitability of the clinical experience can commence. That is, upon receipt of the signed verification form, the program coordinator will review the form to confirm that the student will have access to appropriate and supervised clinical training. 

Clinical supervisors (at the students’ site) will be provided with numerous means of support. Initially, they will be contacted by the program coordinator to verify their support for the student. They will receive a clinical supervisors guide and instructional video. Information about the content of program units and assessment items will be provided at the start of each semester, and prior to practical assessments at the end of each semester.

Admission

Admission to the program requires applicants meet the following criteria.

1. Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in natural and physical sciences or health. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in another discipline will be considered for admission if they can demonstrate greater than 12 months full-time work experience in medical imaging, which must be supported with a statement of service for all work experience listed.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University.  Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

 2. Applicants must secure a minimum of three days a week work (training) in cardiac sonography. Written verification of work (training) must be provided to the university two weeks prior to the commencement of the program.

Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application. 

Statement of Service form

 One additional entry requirement applies to NZ students only: successful and full completion of an MRTBNZ approved cultural competency (Maori) module two weeks prior to course commencement.
MRTBNZ cultural competency (Maori)

Recommended Sequence 2023

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points as per the recommended sequence below. 

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
RADI 7006	Principles of Cardiac Sonography 1	10
RADI 7002	Practice of Cardiac Sonography 1	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
RADI 7007	Principles of Cardiac Sonography 2	10
RADI 7003	Practice of Cardiac Sonography 2	10
	Credit Points	20
Year 2
Autumn session
RADI 7008	Principles of Cardiac Sonography 3	10
RADI 7004	Practice of Cardiac Sonography 3	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
RADI 7009	Principles of Cardiac Sonography 4	10
RADI 7005	Practice of Cardiac Sonography 4	10
	Credit Points	20
	Total Credit Points	80

Recommended Sequence 2024

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
RADI 5001	Physics for Diagnostic Ultrasound	10
RADI 7002	Practice of Cardiac Sonography 1	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
RADI 6001	Pathophysiology in Diagnostic Ultrasound	10
RADI 7003	Practice of Cardiac Sonography 2	10
	Credit Points	20
Year 2
Autumn session
RADI 6002	Research Foundations for Sonography	10
RADI 7004	Practice of Cardiac Sonography 3	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
RADI 7025	Applied Cardiac Sonography	10
RADI 7005	Practice of Cardiac Sonography 4	10
	Credit Points	20
	Total Credit Points	80

Replaced Subjects 

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2024 or earlier.

RADI 7006 - Principles of Cardiac Sonography 1, replaced by RADI 5001 Physics for Diagnostic Ultrasound

RADI 7015 - Principles of Vascular Sonography 1, replaced by RADI 5001 Physics for Diagnostic Ultrasound

RADI 7008 - Principles of Cardiac Sonography 3, replaced by RADI 6002 Research Foundations for Sonography

RADI 7009 Principles of Cardiac Sonography 4, replaced by RADI 7025 - Applied Cardiac Sonography