Master of Dementia Program
Learn from the global leaders in dementia education to help lead positive change.
The Wicking Dementia Centre is a global leader in dementia research and education, with a mission to transform the understanding of dementia worldwide. We offer leading online education, based on the latest research, that is suitable for everyone at any stage of their career.
Our postgraduate courses provide a global perspective on the impact of dementia on individuals and societies. It is aimed at graduates and professionals currently working within, or building their expertise in, a field related to dementia. 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 - equip yourself with the expertise to lead transformation, based on the latest evidence.
Our suite of courses offers a comprehensive understanding of dementia from the perspectives of individuals, families, communities, health care systems and governments, and covers the neurobiology of dementia, including pathology, biomarkers and therapeutics.
Course Options
Master of Dementia
1.5 years min, 4 years max
Online
View course details Master of Dementia
Graduate Diploma of Dementia
1 year min, 3 years max
Online
View course details Graduate Diploma of Dementia
Graduate Certificate in Dementia
0.5 years min, 2 years max
Online
The rising global prevalence of dementia is creating new challenges and opportunities that require specialised knowledge.
Be at the forefront of innovation to address dementia, a major health and social issue of the 21st century.
Acquired knowledge will be linked to your individual situation in assessments, keeping the program relevant and up-to-date.
Study options
Course structure
Our postgraduate courses focus on these core disciplines:
- Health and Social Care in Dementia
- Neurobiology of dementia
- Policies and Systems in Dementia
- Public Health and Dementia
Health and Social Care in Dementia
Explore a range of approaches aimed at supporting people living with dementia to maintain healthy lives. Critical factors in quality of life, such as assessment, intervention and therapeutics, communication, and social and care environments, are used to support a human rights-based approach to meeting the needs of people living with dementia.
Neurobiology of Dementia
Examine the function and dysfunction of the brain to get a deep understanding of the diseases that cause dementia. The roles of disease biomarkers in diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation are reviewed, along with the strengths and weaknesses of current laboratory-based and clinical research in these areas.
Policies and Systems in Dementia
Examine the ways that healthcare systems and government policy affect health and social care provision. Evaluate and engage with the design of policies and systems to directly improve the lives of people living with dementia, and the people who care for them.
Public Health and Dementia
Explore the evidence for dementia prevention, as well as the rise of dementia-friendly communities, in the context of public health strategy. Look at ways to reduce dementia incidence through health education, behaviour change, awareness raising, and adapting public spaces and facilities to accommodate the needs of people living with dementia.
Research in Dementia
Develop and refine your skills in the critical evaluation and design of research. At the graduate diploma level, all units engage with the primary research literature in their respective fields, and a dedicated unit examines research techniques in the major domains. At the master’s level, a major project unit allows you to explore a topic of particular interest at greater depth.
Course breakdown
Intake: February (full-time and part-time), July (part-time only)
1
Graduate Certificate in Dementia
50 credit points
Core Units
- Health and Social Care in Dementia 1
- Neurobiology of Dementia 1
- Policies and Systems in Dementia 1
- Public Health and Dementia 1
2
Graduate Diploma of Dementia
100 credit points
Core units
All units covered in the Graduate Certificate, plus:
- Methods for dementia research
Then choose three electives (600 level) from:
- Health and Social Care in Dementia 2
- Neurobiology of Dementia 2
- Policies and Systems in Dementia 2
- Public Health and Dementia 2
3
Master of Dementia
150 credit points
Core units
All units covered in the Graduate Diploma plus:
- Major project in dementia studies (25CP)
And choose two (700 level) electives from:
- Advanced Topics in Health and Social Care in Dementia
- Advanced Topics in the Neurobiology of Dementia
- Advanced Topics in Policies and Systems in Dementia
- Advanced Topics in Public Health and Dementia
Career outcomes
Changing the way we think about Dementia
Aged care worker and recent graduate Agnieszka Chudecka, undertook a Master of Dementia online from her home in Adelaide. When reflecting on her studies, Agnieszka said she was surprised by and enjoyed "the great diversity of students and the people I was able to meet and gain insights through their professional experiences, all linking back to dementia."
The Master of Dementia program provides students with an in-depth understanding of dementia and its impact on individuals, societies and governments. Graduates will possess the skills and critical faculties to identify and evaluate primary evidence, international practices, and appropriate resources to inform their professional and personal dealings in meeting and anticipating the needs of people with dementia.
As expectations increase around the quality of care for people living with dementia, a variety of opportunities may become available for those with advanced studies.
*National Skills Commission five year projections from November 2021 to November 2026.
^World Health Organisation Dementia Key Facts (February 2026) .
Employment in the health care sector is to grow by
in the next two years*
Aged and Disabed Care Workers
Projected job growth by 2026*
Every year there are nearly
new cases^
Entry information
Entry requirements
Entry requirements vary across courses. You'll find the requirements on our individual course pages. These can be accessed from Course Options, which is located at the top of this page.
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you're not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Credit for prior learning
The University of Tasmania aims to provide you with credit for approved prior study or equivalent professional experience which exceeds standard entrance requirements for courses. For more information please visit Recognition of Prior Learning.
English language requirements
For those applicants who are nationals of and currently residing in a country where English is not the official language, evidence of an IELTS or TOEFL test must be provided. For more information, please visit International Future Students.
