The MSc (Dementia) is available on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time programme runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. The part-time programme runs over two academic years (20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. The programme includes a period of clinical placement.

Candidates must have the following:

• An Honours Primary Degree in a relevant health care discipline* or an equivalent academic qualification and professional experience to be approved by Programme Team;
• Ideally candidates should have at least one year's practical experience in their area of qualification post-registration;
• In some exceptional circumstances candidates, by virtue of their training and experience may, at the discretion of the Programme Team, be deemed suitable for entry to the programme. Such candidates may be requested to undergo an interview.

*A relevant health care discipline includes but is not limited to medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing science, audiology, physiotherapy, psychology, and social studies.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the MSc Programme
Following successful completion of the examinations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia, and subject to approval of the Programme Team, a student may opt to transfer to the MSc (Dementia), with exemptions granted for modules already taken.

A student previously conferred with the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia / Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia (exit award from the MSc) may register for the MSc (Dementia) within five years of completion, subject to approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Recognition of Prior Learning
In accordance with UCC's policy on Recognition of Prior Learning, a student who has successfully completed modules for Continuous Professional Development within the MSc in Dementia programme, and/or has completed relevant university postgraduate modules in a cognate area at similar NFQ level (subject to approval of the Programme Team), and who meets the entry requirements for the MSc (Dementia), can apply via PAC for entry to the MSc (Dementia) with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Full-time
The full-time MSc (Dementia) runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time provided face-to-face, via webinars or online (3-8 in-class days per month during term). 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.

Taught 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)

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 CG6007 or CG6011 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
CG6018 Dissertation in Dementia (30 credits)

Part-time
The part-time MSc (Dementia) runs over two academic years (20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time provided face-to-face, via webinars or online (3-7 contact days per semester). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). A maximum of 40 taught credits can be taken in a single year. Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted in the early Summer of Year 2.

Taught 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)

Students take elective modules to the value of 25 credits over years 1 and 2 (maximum 40 total taught credits per year) 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 CG6007 or CG6011 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
CG6018 Dissertation in Dementia (30 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Exit award: Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Upon satisfactory completion of 60 taught credits, to include modules CG6015, CG6016 and CG6017, a student may opt not to proceed with / complete the dissertation (CG6018), exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Master's level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of exiting the programme.

Exit award: Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits in Dementia, to include modules CG6015 and CG6016, a student may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Master's level must do so within 5 years of exiting the programme.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc in Dementia (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Integrate knowledge of brain regions, cognitive domains and specific cognitive syndromes to aid diagnosis and individualized care planning ;
• Evaluate models of dementia diagnosis and post diagnostic support, within health and social care systems, and in broader society;
• Critically appraise the available literature relating to dementia diagnosis and care (including restorative and adaptive cognitive interventions, psychoeducational and supportive care);
• Incorporate evidence based practice and quality improvement into everyday work;
• Adopt an ethical, person-centred approach to dementia care across the disease trajectory;
• Reflect upon the complex relationship between communication and cognitive impairment;
• Plan, execute and disseminate research in a dementia related topic;
• Critically discuss the processes involved in planning care, choosing appropriate goals and determining successful outcome for a person with cognitive impairment or dementia;
• Reflect on the role of members of the multidisciplinary team in dementia care.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Integrate knowledge of brain regions, cognitive domains and specific cognitive syndromes to aid diagnosis and individualized care planning;
• Evaluate models of dementia diagnosis and post diagnostic support, within health and social care systems, and in broader society;
• Critically appraise the available literature relating to dementia diagnosis and care (including restorative and adaptive cognitive interventions;
• Incorporate evidence based practice and quality improvement into everyday work;
• Adopt an ethical, person-centred approach to dementia care across the disease trajectory;
• Reflect upon the complex relationship between communication and cognitive impairment
• Critically discuss the processes involved in planning care, choosing appropriate goals and determining successful outcome for a person with cognitive impairment or dementia;
• Reflect on the role of members of the multidisciplinary team in dementia care.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Evaluate models of dementia diagnosis and post diagnostic support, within health and social care systems, and in broader society;
• Incorporate evidence based practice and quality improvement into everyday work;
• Adopt an ethical, person-centred approach to dementia care across the disease trajectory;
• Reflect upon the complex relationship between communication and cognitive impairment;
• Critically discuss the processes involved in planning care, choosing appropriate goals and determining successful outcome for a person with cognitive impairment or dementia.