Master of Dietetics
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 paediatric nutrition.
The course includes face-to-face lectures and tutorials, seminars, theoretical and practical coursework, kitchen workshops, online learning, and professional placement.
Postgrad Advice Sessions
You’ve thought about studying in 2019 and you’re ready to apply but you still have some questions. Tell us what you need to know and we’ll book you in for a one-on-one. Sessions end Mar 4.
Make it happen
Postgrad classes are filling up as people look to the future. You’ve only got until 27 Feb to apply for Semester 1. Apply now.
Due to limited capacity, students will be unable to defer their place in this course.
Duration
2 years full-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Full-time
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
The Master of Dietetics at Swinburne aims to educate and empower the next generation of dietitians to be nutrition experts and innovators making a positive impact on the health of Australians.
Students will develop their skills in traditional areas of dietetic practice – clinical practice, community and public health nutrition and food service management – as well as the emerging and growing fields of entrepreneurship and private practice, research, nutrigenomics, aged care, corporate health, digital health, food sustainability and supply, food innovation and sport.
The structure of the Master of Dietetics aligns with the requirements set out by the Dietitians Association of Australia. The course comprises 15 compulsory units of study – 11 theory-based units and four professional practice placement units.
Students will engage in a variety of learning experiences including Problem Based Learning; case studies; practical skill development using the teaching kitchen, food science laboratory and videoed consult rooms; and experience in real-world research.
Placements will take place in three required domains including clinical and individual case management, community and public health nutrition, and food service management.
Research projects will be undertaken to further enhance skill development and exposure to the evidence base in nutrition and dietetics.
Students will develop their skills in traditional areas of dietetic practice – clinical practice, community and public health nutrition and food service management – as well as the emerging and growing fields of entrepreneurship and private practice, research, nutrigenomics, aged care, corporate health, digital health, food sustainability and supply, food innovation and sport.
The structure of the Master of Dietetics aligns with the requirements set out by the Dietitians Association of Australia. The course comprises 15 compulsory units of study – 11 theory-based units and four professional practice placement units.
Students will engage in a variety of learning experiences including Problem Based Learning; case studies; practical skill development using the teaching kitchen, food science laboratory and videoed consult rooms; and experience in real-world research.
Placements will take place in three required domains including clinical and individual case management, community and public health nutrition, and food service management.
Research projects will be undertaken to further enhance skill development and exposure to the evidence base in nutrition and dietetics.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Master of Dietetics, students must complete 200 credit points comprising:
- 11 theory units of study (150 credit points)
- 4 Professional placement units of study (50 credit points)
Professional placements
The Masters of Dietetics will engage students in 105 days of placement. Placements consist of a 5-day research placement in first year followed by four 5-week block placements in subsequent years. Eligibility for professional accreditation requires the successful completion of 100 days.Units of study
Theory units
Students must complete the following 150 credit points of study from the following list of units:
DET60002 Food Science, Food System and Food Industry Skills
DET60003 Specialised Nutrition: Sport and Paediatrics
DET60004 Nutrition Practice in Diverse Communities
DET70001 Evidence Based Practice and Research Skills for Dietitians
DET70002 Professional Practice and Communication Skills for Dietitians
DET70003 Medical Nutrition Therapy
DET80001 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy and Food Service Management *
DET80002 Research Project 1
DET80005 Research Project 2 *
DET80006 Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Business Skills for Health Professionals *
DET60003 Specialised Nutrition: Sport and Paediatrics
DET60004 Nutrition Practice in Diverse Communities
DET70001 Evidence Based Practice and Research Skills for Dietitians
DET70002 Professional Practice and Communication Skills for Dietitians
DET70003 Medical Nutrition Therapy
DET80001 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy and Food Service Management *
DET80002 Research Project 1
DET80005 Research Project 2 *
DET80006 Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Business Skills for Health Professionals *
Placement units
Students must complete the following four placement units (50 credit points):
* 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
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to apply specialised knowledge in dietetics to demonstrate entry-level, discipline specific, knowledge, skills and attributes, specifically they will be able to:
- work effectively and ethically in a variety of workplace settings including: clinical, community and public health, food service management and be able to apply those skills to other settings including: private practice, sporting clubs, food industry, research and academia
- apply well developed independent research skills to critically review literature and undertake evidence based practice, including utilising strong theoretical knowledge of research methods, design and statistics and practical research experience
- undertake and document the nutrition care process for individuals, including nutrition assessment, diagnosis, intervention and monitoring/evaluation as applied to individuals, groups and/or populations, whilst applying knowledge of nutrition’s role in the prevention and management of disease states
- demonstrate high level communication skills, collaborate with clients, carers and health care teams; document appropriately to the discipline
- apply high level food skills and knowledge to evaluate product/food suitability and address nutrition and food related issues with both individual clients and in relation to products produced by the food industry
- engage in reflective practice to support own development, including acquisition of knowledge and skills related to own dietetic practice and career aspirations and be adaptable and able to manage change
- apply innovative problem solving skills and an entrepreneurial attitude and utilise appropriate technologies and digital health solutions to support and advance dietetic practice and contribute to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- demonstrate cultural awareness of local and international environments in which they will be engaged and recognise the importance of communicating in a culturally appropriate way.
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
The university has received Program Qualification from the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) and has sought advice regarding the processes for the accreditation of the dietetics program. The university is planning to submit an accreditation application within the required timelines, and aiming to achieve accreditation prior to graduation of the first cohort of students. A graduate of an accredited program is eligible to become a member of DAA with dietetics qualifications, and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. Full details of the stages in the DAA accreditation process are available here. All enquiries regarding the progress of the program’s accreditation review should be directed to the university’s Dietetics Program Coordinator.
A graduate of a program accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is eligible to become a DAA 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 DAA 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.
A graduate of a program accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is eligible to become a DAA 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 DAA 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
Fees are estimates for students commencing in 2019 only: Tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2019 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
Applicants who have completed a 3-year Bachelor degree in a relevant area of study are eligible to apply if:
- they completed their degree in the last 10 years or
- have undertaken subsequent Postgraduate studies or
- have relevant work experience*
AND meet the following unit/subject pre-requisites (as required by the Dietitians Association of Australia Accreditation Standards for Dietetics Education Programs):
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).
Conditional offers
Students who are otherwise eligible but are lacking a small number of pre-requisite units may be able to apply and receive a conditional offer subject to them successfully completing the required pre-requisites in Semester 1 (as non-award units), before commencing the degree in Semester 2.
* Work experience
Documents substantiating work experience need to be provided on company letterhead and clearly detail roles as well as duties and duration of posts held.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
Applications close 1 May 2019. All applicants must submit a completed Supplementary Information Form.
Applications are assessed as soon as they are received, subject to availability of placements.