Overview 2024
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Be at the forefront of innovation to address dementia, the major health and social issue of the 21st century.
The Wicking Dementia Centre
The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre is at the forefront of translational research of relevance to people with dementia and their carers, and provides a range of innovative educational programs on dementia. The Wicking Dementia Centre undertakes multidisciplinary research around three main themes – the Care, Cause and Prevention of Dementia. Educational programs are closely interlinked with the Centre’s research programs.
The Wicking Dementia Centre, a flagship of the University's College of Health and Medicine, was established in 2008 and is core-funded by the J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust (managed by Equity Trustees) with significant contributions from the University of Tasmania.
Course objectives
The rising prevalence of dementia is creating new challenges and a pressing need for change in the way our systems and practices support people who live with dementia. This program will equip you with the expertise to lead transformation, based on the latest evidence.
Course information:
- Fully online and flexible with modular content suitable for a wide variety of study approaches
- Easy to navigate and accessible across a range of devices
- Personal perspectives highlighted in assessments linking acquired knowledge to individual contexts.
- Relevant and up-to-date course information
Learning Outcomes
Career outcomes
Depending on your background and experience, career opportunities may include:
- Leadership roles in the health, community or aged care sector.
- Designing and implementing dementia-related policy in the public or private sector.
- Senior clinical roles and clinical leadership (for students with a health-professional background), driving evidence-based practice and clinical redesign.
- Advocacy or advisory roles in the health, community or aged care sector.
- A pathway to research higher degrees or other research-focused roles, drawing on research design and critical evaluation skills.
Course structure
Core units
This unit examines social, therapeutic and environmental factors influencing the health and wellbeing of people with dementia, and their carers. The impact of dementia on individuals, and provision for the rights and needs of people with dementia, are the focus…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CAD501 Health and Social Care in Dementia 1
This unit examines the neurobiology, pathology and disease processes of the primary diseases causing dementia. Damage and pathology are contextualised in terms of the functions of the nervous system, providing insights to the causes, symptoms and progression of the most…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit examines the effect of policies and systems on the societal impact of dementia, and the effective provision of support, services and resources to people with dementia and the people who care for them, including approaches enabling independent living…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CAD503 Policies and Systems in Dementia 1
This unit examines the evidence base for, and the potential impact of, public health interventions aimed at (1) reducing the incidence of dementia in the general population, and (2) improving quality of life for those living with dementia. The large…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit provides students with a working knowledge of the major research methods and design approaches used to build the evidence base in health and social care, neurobiology, policies and systems, and public health. We examine major research methods and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit provides a framework for students to design a research project, potentially of direct relevance to their professional and/or personal context, under the guidance of a research-experienced mentor. The form and scope of the project will be negotiated between…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CAD700 Major Project in Dementia Studies
Degree electives
Degree electives (600 level)
This unit engages students with the primary research literature dealing with factors influencing the health and wellbeing of people with dementia, and their carers. Community strategies and social programmes focused on supporting healthy autonomous life for people with dementia, are…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CAD601 Health and Social Care in Dementia 2
This unit engages students with the primary research literature in the neurobiology of dementia, including pathological and functional research, and a range of models and outcomes used to assess potential therapeutics. Genetics, lifestyle risk factors, biomarkers, imaging techniques and assays…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit engages students with the primary research literature in policies and systems focused on meeting the needs of people with dementia. Factors such as budget, access, equity and culture are considered in appraising the approaches taken by governments and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CAD603 Policies and Systems in Dementia 2
This unit engages students with the primary research literature in public health policies and the design of interventions related to dementia. The evidence base for existing and proposed interventions is examined, and across multiple countries the question of effective use…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Degree electives (700 level)
This unit develops critical thinking and deeper evaluation of research for advanced students studying individual and social health for people with dementia. Students form a peer critique group to examine articles in domains of particular interest. Papers are selected to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CAD701 Advanced Topics in Health and Social Care in Dementia
This unit develops critical thinking and deeper evaluation of research for advanced students studying the neurobiology of dementia. Students form a peer critique group to examine articles in domains of particular interest. Five papers are selected from student proposals to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CAD702 Advanced Topics in the Neurobiology of Dementia
This unit develops critical thinking and deeper evaluation of research for advanced students studying policy and the design of systems relevant for people living with dementia. Students form a peer critique group to examine articles in domains of particular interest.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CAD703 Advanced Topics in Policies and Systems in Dementia
This unit develops critical thinking and deeper evaluation of research for advanced students studying public health approaches to dementia. Students form a peer critique group to examine articles in domains of particular interest. Papers are selected to evaluate in an…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CAD704 Advanced Topics in Public Health and Dementia
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
A bachelor degree in a health discipline, social work or psychology (AQF7/equivalent from a recognised institution)
A bachelor degree (AQF7 equivalent) in another field, PLUS EITHER a year of full time (equivalent) work experience in dementia/aged care, neurobiology, heath systems/services or public health, OR successful prior completion of four units from the Diploma of Dementia Care (M1D)
We recommend that candidates complete the Understanding Dementia MOOC prior to enrolment, if their previous degree is not related to dementia.
For International students
Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects, and meet English language requirements to be eligible for an offer.
English Language Requirements
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.
Course Specific Requirements
- A bachelor degree in a health discipline, social work or psychology (AQF7/equivalent from a recognised institution)
- A bachelor degree (AQF7 equivalent) in another field, PLUS EITHER a year of full time (equivalent) work experience in dementia/aged care, neurobiology, heath systems/services or public health, OR successful prior completion of four units from the Diploma of Dementia Care (M1D)
- We recommend that candidates complete the Understanding Dementia MOOC prior to enrolment, if their previous degree is not related to dementia.
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.
Articulation
The Master of Dementia can articulate to a research-based PhD project, which would take an additional 3-4 years. The unit CAD700, Major Project in Dementia Studies, can be used to gain key research readiness skills and establish a potential project with a research advisor, allowing successful students to apply to enter the PhD program.
Please contact the Course Coordinator for more information.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic postgraduate student, you might be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.
An important note on Youth Allowance and AustudyThe Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented Master courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, please be aware that this is not the case for all Master courses. Please visit our Scholarships, Fees and Costs website for further information.
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).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
2024 Total Course Fee (international students): $ 20,410 AUD *.
Course cost based on a rate of $13,450 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
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