Diploma of Dementia Care

Course Introduction

The Diploma of Dementia Care is a fully online, eight-unit program available to carers, aged care, community and health industry workers and anyone with an interest in learning more about dementia.

It provides graduates with knowledge to make a difference in the health and community sector in a range of roles which will be critical in delivering enhanced capacity to a sector which is facing an enormous challenge. Individuals with backgrounds in healthcare, community service and allied health professionals, may find this course useful to broaden knowledge base and scope of practice.

It is suitable for those with or without formal education qualifications, and articulation into further study at Associate Degree and Bachelor level is available upon successful completion.

A condition as serious as dementia requires a special type of care – and a special type of person to provide it. Our course will develop your specialised understanding of dementia so that you can make a positive difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

Learn from our global experts, with all our education programs informed by the latest research evidence.

Information on Course Fees for students commencing in 2021 will be available soon.

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Key course information
Course structure

Dementia is a neurological condition that affects tens of millions of people across the globe – one that poses significant challenges to their quality of life as well as that of their families and communities. During this course, you will gain a deeper knowledge of the condition, the changes that occur in the brain, the behaviours and needs associated with the changes, and the practical strategies necessary to care for people living with dementia.

Duration:	8 units
Study Load:	Full-time or Part-time
Intake:	February and July
Study mode:	Fully online

No pre-requisites, each application is considered
Course is delivered entirely online, with no face to face component
No exams (assessments may include quizzes, discussion boards, essays, and presentations)
Flexible, full time and part time study options are available
A full time study load is 3-4 units per semester; part time is 1-2 units per semester
Units offered across two semesters per year
Each unit will require 8-10 hours each week for study
Dedicated Student Advisors guide students’ learning

Students who are new to online learning, are returning to study or are currently in the workforce are advised to consider part-time enrolment in their first semester.

Course Units

CAD005 Neurospeak Online - study first
*CAD003 Introduction to General Studies in Dementia in Australia	OR	*CAD121 The Global Challenge of Understanding Dementia
CAD104 Principles of Supportive Care for People with Dementia
CAD115 Health Services for an Ageing Population
CAD101 Introduction to Ageing, the Brain and Dementia (CAD005 is a prerequisite)
CAD116 Introduction to Therapeutic Approaches for Dementia
CAD117 Effective Communication for Dementia Care
CAD113 Inter-professional Education and Practice in Dementia Care (CAD115 is a prerequisite)

*Core choice units – choose one of these options based on your previous education experience:

CAD003 is recommended for students who have not studied at a tertiary level in the past 10 years
CAD121 is recommended for students who HAVE studied at a tertiary level in the past 10 years

You can download the course structure here ( 177.2 KB) . Additional information about individual units may also be found in the Course and Unit Handbook.

What does it cost?

	Waiver/Discount Amount (conditions apply)
DOMESTIC students	100% HECS waiver to eligible students.
NEW ZEALAND students	Tuition fees discounted to AUD625 per unit.
INTERNATIONAL students	50% discount on international tuition fees.

HECS waiver for domestic students

Eligible commencing domestic students can receive a 100% HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) fee waiver for units studied under the Diploma of Dementia Care*. Students are eligible for the waiver if they are eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). To get a CSP, you must be one of the following:

an Australian citizen, who will live and study in Australia for some of the course
a New Zealand citizen, who will live and study in Australia for the whole course
a permanent visa holder, who will live and study in Australia for the whole course.

Tuition Fees will appear in eStudent until after the census date. After the census date, the appropriate scholarship/fee waiver will be applied to all enrolled students to remove the tuition fees. The waiver covers the full student tuition fee contribution that the student would normally be required to pay, which means there are NO tuition fees payable by a domestic student studying the Diploma of Dementia Care. This waiver is available for the duration of your study of the Diploma of Dementia Care.

Fees are structured per unit, not per course, and there are two fee types. The tuition fee (also knowns as HECS fee) and a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Other fees

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is payable by the student. In 2020 fees are generally $46.20 per unit, capped at a maximum of $308 per annum. SSAF is paid per unit per semester depending on the number of units a student enrols in.

Further study and Recognition of Prior Learning

Upon completion of the Diploma of Dementia Care, students may consider further studies. The Diploma of Dementia Care will count as year 1 toward the Associate Degree in Dementia Care and the Bachelor of Dementia Care.

Prior education at a tertiary or TAFE level (or equivalent) may also be considered as being counted as credit toward the Diploma. Contact Student Support - DementiaCare.Support@utas.edu.au - for more information.

For some students (depending on existing level of education), study will also be available in the Master of Dementia Program.

Visit our website at www.utas.edu.au/wicking for more information.