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MA-DIET Postgraduate Hawthorn Send me a link to this course

Studying a Master of Dietetics at Swinburne will empower you to make a positive impact on the health of Australians.

You will develop skills in both traditional and emerging areas of dietetic practice, learning to work with a range of evolving food and health management strategies.

Units cover a range of innovative topics including entrepreneurship, leadership and business, sports nutrition, and pediatric nutrition.

The course includes face-to-face lectures and tutorials, seminars, theoretical and practical coursework, kitchen workshops, online learning, and professional placement.

Due to limited capacity, students will be unable to defer their place in this course.

Duration

2 years full-time

Intakes

Hawthorn (Semester 1) - View application and start dates

Study mode

Full-time

2023 Start Dates

Semester 1 - 27 February 2023

The future of dietetics

Think dietetics is just about your diet? Think again.

Three students from the tight-knit Master of Dietetics course share how Swinburne is getting them ready for the future of dietetics. Hint: it involves a non-diet approach, industry immersion, and rubbing shoulders with The Mindful Dietitian, and dietitians from Richmond and Hawthorn football clubs.

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

This course prepares students to be eligible to practice as Accredited Practicing Dietitians (APDs) in evolving work environments.

It empowers students to develop their competencies in traditional areas of nutrition and dietetic practice: clinical practice, community and public health nutrition and food service management, as well as the emerging and growing fields of private practice and consultancy that require entrepenership, systems thinking, innovation and leadership.

Grounded in evidence-based practice, the Master of Dietetics prepares students for employment and diverse careers across the food and nutrition, health, education and corporate sectors.

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Master of Dietetics students must complete 200 credit points comprising:

Twelve (12) core units of study (150cp).
Four (4) professional placement units of study (50cp)

It is a mandated requirement of the Dietitians Australia as part of the “Accreditation Standards for Dietetics Education Programs” that all students undertake a minimum of 100 days of professional placements. The Masters of Dietetics will engage students in 105 days of placement to allow for any missed days due to illness not affecting students’ ability to meet Dietitians Australia requirements. Placements consist of a 5-day research placement in first year followed by four 5-week block placements in subsequent years.

Students will be advised that eligibility for professional accreditation requires the successful completion of 100 days. Units are taken in a sequence so that students build knowledge, skills and attributes in preparation for each of the professional placements. As a result full time enrolment is recommended.

Units of study

Students must complete the following twelve (12) theory based units (150cp)

DET60001 Applied Nutrition Science

DET60002 Food Science and Systems
DET60003 Specialised Nutrition: Sport and Paediatrics
DET60004 Community and Public Health Nutrition

DET60005 Research and Evidence-Based Practice A

DET70002 Nutrition Education

DET70003 Medical Nutrition Therapy

DET70004 Research and Evidence-Based Practice B
DET80001 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy and Food Service Management *
DET80002 Research and Evidence-Based Practice C

DET80005 Research and Evidence-Based Practice D
DET80006 Entrepreneurial Dietetic Practice *

Placement units

Students must complete the following four placement units (50 credit points):

DET80003 Professional Practice Placement 1 *

DET80004 Professional Practice Placement 2 *

DET80007 Professional Practice Placement 3 *

DET80008 Professional Practice Placement 4 *

* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

Graduates will be ready to take on roles in a range of areas, including clinical practice, community and public health, corporate and digital health, nutrigenomics, aged care, nutrition, food service management, sport and fitness, food sustainability and research.

Aims and objectives

On successful completion of this program the learner will be able to:

Perform professional practice that is reflective, safe, ethical, legal and culturally responsive consistent with the expectations of the nutrition and dietetic profession and the broader community.
Lead, advocate for and build capacity in individuals and communities to enhance nutritional status, health and wellbeing, in diverse practice settings.
Apply the nutrition care process for individuals, groups and populations utilising systems thinking and co-design principles, including nutrition assessment, diagnosis, intervention planning and monitoring/evaluation processes.
Influence food systems to improve the nutritional status and wellbeing of clients and communities.
Apply research and evaluation competencies in evidence-based nutrition and dietetic practice, that includes the translation of research evidence to practice improvement, innovation and quality assurance across varied practice contexts.
Utilise high level communication, collaboration and educational skills that are culturally competent.

Graduate skills

The Swinburne Graduate Attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching courses assist all its graduates to be:

capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
effective and ethical in work and community situations
adaptable and able to manage change
aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing.

Professional recognition

This program is currently provisionally accredited by the Dietitians Australia. A graduate of this program is eligible to become a full member of Dietitians Australia and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. The University is required to maintain a current accreditation status as outlined in the Dietitians Australia accreditation process available via dietitiansaustralia.org.au > Becoming a Dietitian in Australia > Accreditation of Dietetics Education Programs.

A graduate of a program accredited by the Dietitians Australia is eligible to become a Dietitians Australia member with dietetics qualifications, and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. APDs are required to undertake prescribed levels of professional development each year and comply with the Dietitians Australia Code of Professional Conduct and Statement of Ethical Practice. Eligibility for APD status, or current APD status is a prerequisite of many dietetic positions in Australia. APD status is required for a Medicare or Department of Veterans’ Affairs provider number and for provider status with many private health insurers.

Pathways and scholarships

- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.

Scholarships

At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Find out more about scholarships.

Credit

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.

Course fees and requirements

- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.

Course fees

2022 rate*	Estimated total cost of the course	Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time*	Annual Amenities fee if studying full-time*
Full fee	$73,600	$36,800	See how your SSAF is calculated

Fees are estimates for students commencing in 2022 only: Tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2022 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year. Find out more about fees.

Entry requirements

Completion of a 3 year Bachelor degree in a relevant area of study* with a minimum average of 65% in the last year of study and are eligible to apply if:

• degree was completed in the last 10 years or

• undertaken relevant Postgraduate studies or

• relevant work experience*

*Relevant areas of study include courses that meet the unit pre-requisite requirements. Relevant work experience includes: practice in a related health profession such as nursing, allied health, public health or education.

Pre-requisites

a. Chemistry/Biochemistry, 4 units - including Chemistry (equivalent to 25% of a year study load) followed by Biochemistry (equivalent to 25% of a year study load);

b. Human Biology and Human Physiology, 4 units - including Human Biology (equivalent to 25% of a year study load) followed by Human Physiology (equivalent to 25% of a year study load); and

c. Food and Nutrition Science, 2 units (equivalent to 25% of a year study load).

NDIS Worker Screening Check

Students enrolled in this course may be required to apply for and receive an acceptable National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Check prior to commencing placement with an NDIS provider. The relevant fee is the responsibility of the student.

Working with Children Check and Police Records Check

To be eligible to enter the course, applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check and Police Records Check throughout the duration of the program and will be required to obtain immunisations in line with placement site requirements as well as meet the inherent requirements of the course.

How to apply

2023 Applications close: 5pm, Friday 20 January 2023.

Find out more about how to apply.

All applicants must submit a completed Supplementary Information Form.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry

Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE

Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au