Master of Dietetics
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
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.
Stop saying next year. Start in Semester 2.
Applications to begin midyear are now open. Are you ready to stop feeling undervalued? To stop pretending to be happy? To stop dreaming small? Apply now
Duration
2 years full-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Full-time
2024 Start Dates
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.
First graduates of the Master of Dietetics thrive in the workforce
Isabella, Stefania and Chloe are among the first cohort of students to graduate from Swinburne’s Master of Dietetics. All have landed positions in the dietetics industry, aided by the workplace experiences they had during their degree.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
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
DET60003 Specialised Nutrition: Sport and Paediatrics
DET60004 Community and Public Health Nutrition
DET80001 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy and Food Service Management *
DET80002 Research and Evidence-Based Practice C
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- 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
- 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.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
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.
Entry requirements
- degree was completed in the last 10 years or
- undertaken relevant Postgraduate studies or
- relevant work experience*
- 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);
- 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
- Food and Nutrition Science, 2 units (equivalent to 25% of a year study load).