MSc in Dementia

Our interdisciplinary MSc in Dementia course provides healthcare professionals with the skills to expertly care for a person with dementia from diagnosis to end-of-life. We advocate a biopsychosocial approach in this course, meaning that we look at the body, mind and environment and consider how they are all connected. Our course content reflects this approach. The topics on this course include dementia presentations and assessments; restorative and adaptive cognitive and non-cognitive interventions; a strong focus on communication, ethical approaches and care planning; translation of evidence to clinical practice; and reflection on legislative, policy and societal influences on dementia care across health and social care settings.

This programme can be studied full-time or part-time. A range of optional modules allows a student to tailor their learning to their own setting and role and includes an optional clinical placement module. Optional independent study modules provide for skill-development opportunities, allowing a student to undertake an in-depth literature review, a supervised audit, service evaluation or a quality improvement project, or to develop a business case or implementation plan. At all times the emphasis is on the critical appraisal of research evidence, and knowledge of current policy and societal influences, and how these translate into the best possible care for the person with dementia in real-world settings.

Why Choose This Course

As the population ages and dementia becomes very common, almost all Healthcare Professionals will care for people with dementia in their everyday work, and will therefore require need up-to-date dementia knowledge and skills.

This is the only dementia course to offer extensive optional modules to tailor your learning, including an optional placement module (CG6017) to experience dementia care in a range of settings, enhancing your appreciation of other service models and disciplines.

The unique optional independent study modules (CG6007 or CG6011) allow you to perform an in-depth review of a topic within or outside the course curriculum, or to plan and implement a quality improvement project, audit or service evaluation.

The research dissertation module (CG6018) is similarly highly flexible - you are supported to develop a research idea relevant to your interests and work setting, and carefully matched with experienced supervisors (usually two per student from complementary disciplines) based on your project. Many students present their research at national and international conferences and publish it in academic journals.

The course lecturers and facilitators are clinicians and academics from several disciplines, and all are experts in dementia. The course coordinator, Professor Suzanne Timmons, is the Clinical Lead for the HSE National Dementia Office and is a highly experienced clinician, researcher, and policy influencer.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between topics such as medicine, healthcare, science, leadership, and management.

Available Scholarships

At UCC we support our student community by offering scholarships and prizes to prospective and current students. Please see the Scholarships & Prizes page for more information.

Content Overview

Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time via face-to-face, webinars, or online options. Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted at the end of the calendar year.

Core Modules

Students take core modules to the value of 35 credits as follows:

• CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)
• CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)
• CG6017 Clinical Practicum in Dementia (5 credits)

And either

• EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits) Or
• MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Elective Modules

Students take elective modules to the value of 25 credits from the following:

• CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
• CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)*
• CG6011 In-depth Independent Study (15 credits)*
• CG6012 Neuromuscular Disorders (10 credits)
• IP5001 Holistic Approach to Palliative Care (5 credits)**
• MH6016 Advance Care Planning (5 credits)
• NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits)

*Students can take either CG6007 orCG6011 but not both.

** Can only be selected if the student has active registration or is eligible for registration with the appropriate professional healthcare registration body.

Research Module

• CG6018 Dissertation in Older Person Rehabilitation (30 credits)

Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar (MSc Dementia.)

Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the MSc Programme

• Following successful completion of the examinations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia, a student may opt to transfer to the MSc in Dementia, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.
• A student previously graduated with the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia, within five years of completion, and subject to the approval of the Programme Team, may register for the MSc in Dementia, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.
• A student previously graduated with the Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia (exit award), within five years of completion, may re-register for the MSc in Dementia, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

The above options do not require a new separate application by the student. Preliminary requests should be made to the Programme Administrator, Ms Lorraine Crossan.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): a student who has successfully completed modules for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) within the MSc in Dementia programme, and/or has completed relevant university postgraduate modules in a cognate area at a similar NFQ level (subject to the approval of the Programme Team), and who meets the entry requirements for the MSc in Dementia, can apply to register for the MSc in Dementia with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years. This will require a separate by the student for the MSc.
• Please note that part-time study is not open to non-EU candidates.

In today’s competitive workforce, higher professional qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development and career advancement. The MSc in Dementia gives Healthcare Professionals the key skills and competencies they need to confidently care for a person with dementia, of any age and in any setting. The MSc in Dementia is particularly suitable for those who want to assume a management and leadership position in the care of people with dementia.