Using a flexible and blended mode of delivery, students engage in both face to face and virtual learning environments. In addition to seminars from multidisciplinary practitioners, participants engage in group and simulated learning experiences that are further enhanced by learning in practice. Students are allocated an academic and practice supervisor with expertise in their chosen practice area, who provides support, guidance, and forms part of a tripartite team, in developing and assessing a practice portfolio. Graduate Certificate students take three ten credit dementia-specific modules (1 per semester) focusing on person-centred dementia care, therapeutic responses for people with dementia and dementia and everyday ethics. Graduate Diploma and MSc students take the three ten credit dementia-specific modules (1 per semester) and three, core, ten credit modules (1 per semester) that focus on professional role development, leadership and collaboration, and research skills. In the final six months, MSc students take a core 30 credit module, which includes advanced research learning and the completion of a research dissertation. As the programme predominately includes modules with practice embedded elements, it is anticipated that students will normally be working in an area related to their focus of study. Upon successful completion, it is expected that the practitioner will be able to initiate and lead practice developments resulting in an improved quality of care within the Irish health care system.

Direct entry to the programme will be considered for candidates who hold a primary degree, with a minimum of second-class honours, grade two, in a relevant discipline. Where a prospective student has not attained the required academic level prior to their application, and in keeping with the University policy on equality of access and opportunity, additional opportunities for entry to the programme will be available. These are offered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Candidates will normally be expected to be working in the area of practice which they hope to study over the course of the programme. The programme will incorporate a separate external practice placement.