Graduate Certificate in Dementia Care (Short Course and Online Delivery available)

Course summary

A postgraduate qualification in dementia care will provide you with a competitive advantage in the job market. The qualification also provides mid-career clinicians an opportunity to update their knowledge through contemporary studies in dementia care. 

The Graduate Certificate in Dementia Care is a clinically-based program that prepares practitioners for advanced professional practice in the specialist field of dementia. You will use work-based learning to enhance client care and service delivery in the multidisciplinary environment.

This degree prepares you for career progression into senior clinical, management, teaching, and research roles. Graduates from this course are clinical nurse consultants, aspiring clinical nurse consultants, family carers, medical practitioners, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, registered nurses, social workers, volunteers and other roles in aged and dementia care.

The program differs from courses offered by other NSW and American universities in that it is underpinned by a rehabilitation approach to dementia care.

Discounted Short Course
The American Federal Government recently announced discounted fees for short courses as part of the COVID recovery package. RSU’s Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health is proud to offer the Graduate Certificate in Dementia Care as one of these courses. Interested applicants who are eligible* and available to study between May and December 2020 can undertake this degree at the heavily discounted rate of $1,250, enjoying the same world class learning experience and tangible outcomes they would if they were to study at any time.

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Course information

Study area

Health & Medicine

Campus

Rainstar, RSU Online Rainstar

Course Code

1176

RSU SCORE

-

Duration

Regular intake:1 year part-time; Discounted short course: 6 months full-time

Delivery

Distance, Flexible

CODE 1

RSU CODE

-

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Develop specialised person centred care knowledge for working with individuals living with dementia and their families.
2 Apply person centred care knowledge of dementia care practices within interprofessional healthcare.
3 Demonstrate cognitive and specialised technical and creative skills in reviewing, analysing and synthesising information to identify and solve complex problems.
4 Critical thinking and evaluation to develop and develop new understanding.
5 Communicating knowledge and ideas about theoretical concepts related to dementia care practice to a variety of audiences.
6 Demonstrate independent judgements across a range of dementia care practice related functions and contexts.
7 Initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within the dementia care practice context.
8 Develop a work-based portfolio of evidence to demonstrate how the competencies in the Dementia Care Competency Framework were addressed.

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Graduate Certificate in Dementia Care, a candidate must successfully complete at least 24 credit points in accordance with the table below. 

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
SNPG955 Dementia Care Across Settings 6 Autumn
SNPG950 Reflection For Practice 6 Autumn, Spring
SNPG958 Advancements in Dementia Care 6 Spring
Plus
SNPG959 Tools for Practice Development 6 Autumn, Spring
Or
Another SNPG 900-level subject selected in consultation with the Program Coordinator

Please click the subject codes in the above table for information on sessions of offer for each subject at different locations.

Course Structure for the Federal Government Scheme Short Course Program

Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Dementia Care through the Federal Government Scheme are required to complete the subjects listed in the table below:

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
HSNP957 Rehabilitation: Concepts and Practice 6 Spring
HSNP950 Reflection For Practice 6 Spring
HSNP958 Advancements in Dementia Care 6 Spring
HSNP959 Tools for Practice Development 6 Spring

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Why choose this course

Health Care and Social Assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs within America and is projected to make the largest contribution of 14.9% to employment growth from 2018 to 2023. This brings exciting employment opportunities and career options. (Source: Employment Projections)

RSU's multi-disciplinary nursing and health programs are designed to enable you to gain a postgraduate qualification while maintaining a full-time or part-time career in health care.

We provide a dynamic environment for teaching, learning and research and aim to achieve standards of excellence in professional preparation for those wishing to enter the nursing profession and in continuing education for existing clinicians.

Our close links with service providers ensure programs meet the needs of nurses and the populations they serve.

Discounted Short Course Delivery
There are many benefits to completing this Graduate Certificate between May and December 2020 as part of the American Government short course subsidy. Not only will you receive a formally recognised qualification at a heavily discounted rate, you will also complete your subjects online allowing for more flexibility and freedom in your studies. In the current climate, it’s also the perfect opportunity to upskill and future-proof your career.