Overview 2024
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
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For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
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The Undergraduate Certificate in Dementia Care, delivered by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, will specifically focused on understanding dementia and how to care for people with dementia.
Course objectives
The Undergraduate Certificate in Dementia Care focuses on understanding dementia at the individual, family and health services level with the goal to improve the quality of life for people with dementia. You will learn about the different diseases that cause dementia and the associated behaviours, and techniques and strategies for providing care and responding to challenging situations.
Together this will build your confidence and knowledge in dementia care. You will develop your communication skills and appreciation of the importance of evidence-based care in the health system.
The course schedule has been built to allow students to transition into higher education study, commencing with a foundation level unit in online learning in the context of dementia. It is well suited to students from a wide range of educational backgrounds and minimal or no experience in dementia. Individuals either working in, or planning to work in, aged care or related sectors, such as community-based roles and support services in the context of ageing with dementia will find this course particularly useful. It is fully online and can be studied part-time. Students must commence their study in Semester 2 2021.
There will be no direct placements in industry as part of this course.
Learning Outcomes
Career outcomes
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.
This part-time, fully online certificate is suitable for you if you are either working in, or planning to work in, aged care or related sectors, such as community-based roles and support services in the context of ageing with dementia. Once you complete this certificate, articulation into further study in the Diploma of Dementia Care or Bachelor of Dementia Care is possible.
This is a terrific opportunity to get your foot in the door in the aged care sector, as employment projections are upward trending and set to grow by 25% by 2024 (Labour Force Survey June 2019). This course is suitable for students from a wide range of educational backgrounds and minimal or no experience in aged care.
Course structure
Students complete 3 core units and one elective unit (total 50 credit points).
Core units
Neuroscience is the study of how the nervous system works, how the cells of the system are organised and how they develop and change in the presence of common pathological conditions, including dementia. Through learning the fundamental principles of neuroscience,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
In this unit you will gain knowledge of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for dementia, and of contemporary strategies to dementia therapies. You will be introduced to varied approaches to supporting quality of life for people with dementia, including community-based…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CAD116 Introduction to Therapeutic Approaches for Dementia
This unit addresses the importance of communicating effectively and positively with people who have cognitive impairment and/or a diagnosis of dementia, and with those who provide support and care. You will learn about how the changes associated with dementia affect…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CAD117 Effective Communication for Dementia Care
Elective units
In this unit, you will learn to write for success in tertiary study and develop academic study skills. This unit will develop your self-motivation, time management, planning and organisational skills. In this unit you will also begin to develop learning…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CAD003 Foundations of University Study in Dementia Care
The rising prevalence of dementia is one of the most significant health, social and economic issues facing the world. The global challenge of dementia will require innovative solutions to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers. The…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CAD121 The Global Challenge of Understanding Dementia
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
This course is not currently accepting applications.
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.
Applicants who have recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)This course does not use ATAR as part of the admission process. To be an eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants with previous higher education study.This course does not use previous higher education study as a basis for admission.
Applicants with previous VET / TAFE studyTo be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed Certificate III or above.
Applications on the basis of work or life experienceThis course accepts applications based on work or life experience. Applicants who have not completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but who have relevant work and life experience can complete a personal competency statement.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONIf your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
For International students
This course is not available to international students. Please enquire online for advice on alternative course options.
Credit transfer
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Enquire online about your credit transfer.
Articulation
Students who have completed one – four units of the undergraduate certificate will be supported to continue their study in the Diploma of Dementia Care or Bachelor of Dementia Care.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the full amount for your studies. Commonwealth Supported Places are not available in this course. However, there are still support options available for eligible students to help you manage the cost of studying this course.
You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount
Our scholarships and prizes program also offers more than 400 scholarships across all areas of study. You can even apply for multiple scholarships in one easy application.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships
100% HECS fee waiver
Domestic students starting the Undergraduate Certificate in Dementia Care in 2022 may be eligible to receive a 100% HECS fee waiver. This means that you won’t have to pay any tuition fees for your course in 2022. We are also waiving the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), normally applicable per unit of study. For more information and FAQs please visit the Certificates page.
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries