UNT Health and James L. West Center Launch Free Online Dementia Specialist Microcredential Pathway

# What the program is UNT Health Fort Worth and the James L. West Center for Dementia Care have partnered to create a free, online, self-paced Dementia Specialist Certification. The program is delivered as a series of microcredentials—short, focused one-hour learning experiences—that stack into a full certification. Participants earn digital badges as they complete modules and receive continuing education credits along the way.

# Why they launched it The program responds to growing demand for trained dementia caregivers. The Alzheimer's Association and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics warn the nation could face a shortage of up to 1 million dementia care workers by 2040. UNT Health frames the initiative as a practical education solution that expands access to training without requiring participants to leave current jobs or caregiving responsibilities.

# Who it's for The pathway is intended for two primary groups: healthcare professionals seeking professional development and family caregivers who need practical, evidence-informed training. The design is explicitly flexible so participants can complete coursework on their own schedules.

# How the curriculum is organized The curriculum is delivered as stacked microcredentials grouped into three progressive tiers:

• Dementia Informed: three courses covering an introduction to dementia and caregiving, caregiver expectations, and collaborative care involving family members and individuals living with dementia.
• Dementia Skilled: two courses focused on communication strategies, residents' rights, and understanding and responding to behavioral expressions associated with dementia.
• Dementia Advanced: three courses covering meaningful engagement, respectful communication with families, and individualized care approaches for each stage of dementia.

Each microcredential is a one-hour module that yields continuing education credits and a digital badge. Completing the full sequence leads to the Dementia Specialist Certification.

# Practical features and benefits

# What to expect next Participants will proceed through modules at their own pace, collect microcredential badges, and accrue continuing education credits that may support career advancement or compliance with professional training requirements. The partnership model suggests future iterations could expand course offerings or adapt material based on participant needs and workforce developments.