Hey,
I hope this is helps anyone who is interested in sonography. I finished my undergrad in Clin Sci in 2019 (grad 2020) and started my postgrad in M Medical Ultrasound (Monash Online) this year, but couldn't continue.
I did one semester, fully online with Monash and this is how I feel about it:
- The Monash degree is part time, 2 units a semester. You are supposed to secure a placement before the second semester.
- Online study was tough, there was no lectures, no tutorials or anything, the information was just dumped on their Moodle and you work through it at your own pace. This was kind of annoying and overwhelming but I guess you get used to it.
- This university, just like the others, do not help you in finding a placement
I feel like most of the students had a background in radiography/medical imaging which made it easier for them to find a placement at their current workplace. They also seemed to understand the content better because of their previous knowledge.
Anyway, if you're interested in sonography, there are two ways to get in:
- Undergrad via CQU
- Postgrad via multiple universities and private institutes (https://www.asar.com.au/course-accreditation/asar-accredited-courses/)
- You don't need to do a masters to become a sonographer, a graduate diploma is fine. You can always specialise later on.
You need a background or some knowledge in health/science, knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and basic physics (as long as you can understand the concepts in physics you'll be fine)
- The CQU degree seems like any other undergrad degree (3 years), they will also find you a placement
- For postgrad degrees or diplomas you will need:
- A degree in health/science or a diploma in health science (so you have the necessary background knowledge since you won't learn it in depth in post grad)
- You will need to secure your own placement (except for AIHE)
- Diplomas are usually 2 years part time since your study and train at the same time. Masters can be 3 years.
If you are considering sonography:
- Make sure you can secure a placement, this is the most important thing IMO. There is no point starting a degree and paying if you can't continue it
- If you can help it, pick a university that has in-person classes rather than online, unless you're okay with online study.
- If you're doing your undergrad right now, focus on your anatomy/physiology units and learn them good because you're going to need it later on
- If you're in your final undergrad year or have applied for sonography, start connecting with people in the field. Go into medical imaging clinics and apply for a trainee position before your postgrad studies start. Literally try everywhere, even interstate because a lot of these clinics are hesitant to take on trainee sonographers.
- Get a job as receptionist or in the administration team at an imaging clinic to transition into a trainee position. A lot of people tend to do this. It can take up to 6 months or a year however from what I've heard. As long as they like you and your work, they should be find to give you a trainee position.
hope this helped. good luck
I hope this is helps anyone who is interested in sonography. I finished my undergrad in Clin Sci in 2019 (grad 2020) and started my postgrad in M Medical Ultrasound (Monash Online) this year, but couldn't continue.
I did one semester, fully online with Monash and this is how I feel about it:
- The Monash degree is part time, 2 units a semester. You are supposed to secure a placement before the second semester.
- Online study was tough, there was no lectures, no tutorials or anything, the information was just dumped on their Moodle and you work through it at your own pace. This was kind of annoying and overwhelming but I guess you get used to it.
- This university, just like the others, do not help you in finding a placement
I feel like most of the students had a background in radiography/medical imaging which made it easier for them to find a placement at their current workplace. They also seemed to understand the content better because of their previous knowledge.
Anyway, if you're interested in sonography, there are two ways to get in:
- Undergrad via CQU
- Postgrad via multiple universities and private institutes (https://www.asar.com.au/course-accreditation/asar-accredited-courses/)
- You don't need to do a masters to become a sonographer, a graduate diploma is fine. You can always specialise later on.
You need a background or some knowledge in health/science, knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and basic physics (as long as you can understand the concepts in physics you'll be fine)
- The CQU degree seems like any other undergrad degree (3 years), they will also find you a placement
- For postgrad degrees or diplomas you will need:
- A degree in health/science or a diploma in health science (so you have the necessary background knowledge since you won't learn it in depth in post grad)
- You will need to secure your own placement (except for AIHE)
- Diplomas are usually 2 years part time since your study and train at the same time. Masters can be 3 years.
If you are considering sonography:
- Make sure you can secure a placement, this is the most important thing IMO. There is no point starting a degree and paying if you can't continue it
- If you can help it, pick a university that has in-person classes rather than online, unless you're okay with online study.
- If you're doing your undergrad right now, focus on your anatomy/physiology units and learn them good because you're going to need it later on
- If you're in your final undergrad year or have applied for sonography, start connecting with people in the field. Go into medical imaging clinics and apply for a trainee position before your postgrad studies start. Literally try everywhere, even interstate because a lot of these clinics are hesitant to take on trainee sonographers.
- Get a job as receptionist or in the administration team at an imaging clinic to transition into a trainee position. A lot of people tend to do this. It can take up to 6 months or a year however from what I've heard. As long as they like you and your work, they should be find to give you a trainee position.
hope this helped. good luck