Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Total subjects
24
Price
From
$27,380
Study method
100% Online
Assessments
100% online
CSP Available
Yes
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- No dates available
QS RANKING 2022
18
Times Higher Education Ranking 2022
23
Degree structure
Core subjects
Major subjects
Elective subjects
Degree
Degree details
Upon successful completion of this degree, students should be able to:
- Explain the multidisciplinary evidence that underpins contemporary models of care across the trajectory of dementia
- Apply knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system to explain dementia pathology
- Evaluate the evidence for dementia risk reduction and for preventative and therapeutic approaches to optimise the health and social care of people living with dementia
- Evaluate and design collaborative person-centred approaches to issues involving diverse groups of people living with dementia, their families, carers, health and social care teams and the broader community
- Generate evidence-based strategies to share knowledge and influence change in contemporary dementia care
- Critically analyse evidence-based literature in the context of dementia
- Discuss how evidence is generated and translated into health and social care for older adults and people living with dementia
Over 400,000 Australians are currently living with dementia; this number increases every year. The impact on communities, families, governments and health professionals will be significant as these numbers increase.
Our workforce is currently ill equipped to help care for such large numbers of people living with dementia – by 2050, it is estimated that there will be over 900,000 people in Australia living with dementia. Graduates from this course may find work in a range of career paths such as in the aged care industry in both the public and private sectors, or as a pathway to undertaking further study in graduate health programs.
Individuals with backgrounds in healthcare, community service and allied health professionals, may find study in this course advantageous – and opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning (or credit) are available.
There are a growing number of leadership and case management positions in dementia care, which require qualifications higher than aged care certificates. Leadership roles, and specialist positions in the aged care sector are increasingly calling for tertiary level qualifications such as the Dementia Care Program.
The Diploma and Associate Degrees are particularly relevant to aged care workers and health professionals wishing to develop their skills and knowledge in dementia. The Bachelor Degree offers additional learning about research and the understanding of how evidence may be translated into clinical care practice.
To support the development of a career structure for aged care workers in the future we will continually evaluate the course and make representations to government and industry. We know that workers with greater knowledge and skills in dementia care will be critical in delivering enhanced capacity to a sector which is facing an enormous challenge both now and into the future.
Higher education via OUA
Successful completion of any 4 OUA open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Higher education
- Tertiary applicants with completed prior university study undertaken at the Associate Degree level or above at any Australian University, or the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent; OR
- Applicants with partial University study at the Associate Degree level or higher with a passing GPA (ie 4.0/7.0) based on a minimum of 2 x 12.5 credit points of undergraduate–degree level subjects; OR
- Completed UTAS University Preparation Program or an Australian University equivalent; OR
- A completed UTAS UPP consisting of 8 x 12.5 credit point subjects or the equivalent of 100 credit points including the core subjects.
Secondary education
Applicants who have completed secondary education: This course does use ATAR and equivalent ranks as part of the admission process.
VET studies
Successful completion of certificate III or higher
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
https://www.utas.edu.au/study/apply/admission-requirements/recognition-of-prior-learning
What is the Dementia Care Program?
The Dementia Care Program offers Australia's first degree in dementia care. It is available to domestic and international students, from carers to health professionals and anyone with an interest in studying dementia. This course will develop your specialised knowledge in this field so that you can make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia.
This is a fully online course with no exams, face to face study, or workplace assessment component. Dedicated Student Advisers are on-hand throughout the course, providing support and guidance throughout your studies. Our program can be studied full-time or part-time, offering you a choice to graduate with a:
- Diploma (8 subjects, completed over a maximum of 3 years)
- Associate Degree (16 subjects, completed over a maximum of 5 years)
- Bachelor Degree (24 subjects, completed over a maximum of 7 years)
Students may study part-time (1-2 subjects) or full-time (3-4 subjects) per semester. Students are advised to approximately 10 hours of study per week per subject of study. There are no formal examinations, all assessments occur throughout the semester.
Assessments may include quizzes, assessed discussion boards, essays or reports, presentations.
Recommended Study Pattern
For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended. If students are undertaking part-time study, we recommend that students complete all first year compulsory subjects prior to completing elective subjects to maximise success.
- Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including:
- 6 core subjects:
- TAS-CAD005 Neurospeak Online
- TAS-CAD101 Introduction to Ageing, the Brain and Dementia
- TAS-CAD104 Principles of Supportive Care for People With Dementia
- TAS-CAD115 Health Services for an Ageing Population
- TAS-CAD116 Introduction to Therapeutic Approaches for Dementia
- TAS-CAD117 Effective Communication for Dementia Care
- 2 UTAS electives
- 6 core subjects:
- Year 2. 8 subjects in second year including:
- 6 core subjects:
- TAS-CAD201 The Neurobiology of Dementia
- TAS-CAD202 Therapeutic Approaches for Dementia
- TAS-CAD203 Principles of Palliative Care
- TAS-CAD205 Nutrition, Dysphagia and Dementia
- TAS-CAD207 Individual and Community Approaches to Dementia Prevention
- TAS-CAD208 Dementia Policy and Care Coordination
- 2 UTAS electives
- 6 core subjects:
- Year 3. 8 subjects in third year including:
- 4 core subjects:
- TAS-CAD305 Qualitative Research in Aged and Dementia Care
- TAS-CAD306 Advanced Topics in Dementia Care
- TAS-CAD307 Translating Evidence into Dementia Care
- TAS-CAD308 Dementia Friendly Societies
- 4 UTAS electives
- 4 core subjects:
- Students may also choose to utilise their elective choices to complete the major of Ageing Studies and Services , to do so students should complete the following 8 subjects:
- TAS-CAD118 Social Constructs of Ageing
- TAS-CAD119 Chronicity and Multimorbidity
- TAS-CAD209 Navigating the Aged Care System
- TAS-CAD210 Mental Health and Wellbeing in Older Adults
- TAS-CAD304 Negotiated Project in Ageing and Dementia
- TAS-CAD311 Leadership in Aged Care
- TAS-CAD312 Social Innovation in Ageing and Aged Care
- TAS-CAD313 Community Engagement for Ageing Well
Award Requirements
Satisfactory completion of 24 subjects according to the recommended study plan, finishing within 7 years
Easy apply
You can apply direct through Open Universities Australia.
Once you've checked your eligibility, apply and enrol for this degree following the steps. This degree also allows you to get started with Open access.
Select ‘Apply now’
Choose subjects to begin your application. You can choose 1 or 2 subjects to start.
Choose how you want to start
You can apply for the full degree or if you want to start with Open access, enrol into the subjects using the ‘Single subjects’ option.
You can apply for the degree later and the subjects may be credited towards the degree.
Complete your details
Provide your details and select a funding option. You can pay up-front or apply for government funding in your application.
Open access
This degree offers Open access entry, exclusive to Open Universities Australia.
There’s more than one way to get a degree. Open access allows you to start with single subjects as a way into eligible degrees, regardless of your study history.
Enrol into and complete the required Open access subjects to earn entry in this degree. Most subjects have no entry requirements, are fully government funded (if you’re eligible) and may be credited when you start the degree.
The best part? You can enrol and get started with single subjects now.