Master of Dietetics
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There is no better place to start your nutrition and dietetics journey than here at Monash University. With our Masters of Dietetics, you can enjoy an education that is flexible and internationally recognised, equipping you with the necessary skills to excel in your dream career. By the end of our Masters program, you can expect to be provided with a comprehensive education that prepares you for future roles in nutrition and dietetic practice in a variety of workplace settings. The course integrates academic teaching and learning with food and nutrition knowledge, clinical nutrition and dietetics, population health, food service, research and management skills; and is undertaken in both the university and professional practice settings including hospitals and public health agencies.
This program is currently provisionally accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA). A graduate of this program is eligible to become a full member of DAA and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. The University is required to maintain a current accreditation status as outlined in the DAA accreditation process.
Why study a Masters of Dietetics with Monash
As a Monash student you will:
- Learn from award winning educators. Our teaching team is one of the best in Australia
- Work with the community to solve real nutrition problems, having real world impact
- Become an advocate for nutrition from the moment you enrol as a student
- Gain the practical skills required to be successful in your nutrition career through hands on learning in our kitchens, student clinic and placement opportunities including Monash Health, Eastern Health, Peninsula Health, and the Royal Children’s Hospital
- Become eligible to register as an Accredited Practising Dietitian with the Dietitians Association of Australia when you graduate
Course structure
The Masters of Dietetics will develop the professional and personal qualities required for clinical nutrition and dietetic practice in a variety of workplace settings. On campus studies are combined with supervised professional placements providing opportunities for you to gain knowledge and skills in clinical practice; food service, and community and public health nutrition. Professional practice placements may be in an urban or rural setting.
The Master of Dietetics includes studies in:
- Personal development and professional practice
- Determinants and influences of public health and nutrition
- Nutrition fundamentals of health and disease
- Food: From science to systems
You will have the opportunity to apply theory to practice and develop research skills and knowledge relevant to nutrition and dietetic practice underpinning each of the four core areas of the program.
Structure
The course is structured in 3 parts:
Part A. Foundational studies for dietetics
Part B. Evidence based dietetics, planning and treatment
Part C. Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic practice
NOTE: All students complete Parts B and C. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A.
For specific information on the course structure, view the course handbook here.
As a graduate
As a graduate your opportunities working as a dietitian and clinical nutritionist are endless. Graduates are eligible for accreditation by the Dietitians Association of Australia. 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
Graduates are eligible to apply for membership with the Nutrition Society of Australia. Applications are considered by the NSA Council from individuals with a suitable qualification in nutrition.
Our commitment to international students
Monash Nutrition is committed to support international students in settling into the Australian education system so their study experience can be maximised. A unique support group is in place for international / culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) students to ensure a smooth transition to Australian culture while making sense of what they learn to career options in Australia and back-home.
The Monash Nutrition International / CALD Student Mentoring Support Group Program supports this transition through specific activities with an experienced mentor; provides an opportunity to practice spoken English; and allows students to increase their Western culture and Australian food knowledge. In addition to face-to-face support, the program provides an online community and resources covering areas such as strategies to improve English; getting to know a broad range of Australian foods; and career related information in Australia and abroad.
All students will be required to obtain a Police Check, Working with Children Check and complete immunisation requirements as per Faculty Policy.
This course requires students to undertake off-campus supervised practice placement.
- Master of Dietetics
- Master of Dietetics Supplementary Information Form - Applicants only
- Master of Dietetics FAQ
- Master of Dietetics Brochure
Immunisation and Infection Risk
If you are undertaking clinical placements within a Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences course, you must comply with procedures to minimise the risk of cross-infection of communicable diseases during your training. Compliance with these procedures can take time, so once you have accepted a place in the course, we recommend that you start the process in readiness for clinical placements. First year Nutrition and Dietetics students at Clayton must read the Faculty’s Immunisation and Infection Risk documents.
Read about our alumni and their careers:
Master of Dietetics FAQs
Master of Dietetics
Course Code: M6002
The Master of Dietetics has been approved for accreditation by the Dietitians Association of Australia.
What are the entry requirements for Master of Dietetics (Domestic Students)?
Qualifications
An undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area for example: biomedical science, science, health sciences, nutrition, food science and exercise science, (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree). It is expected that your Bachelor degree has been completed in the past 10 years unless you have been assessed as having work experience that faculty considers equivalent to having studied a Bachelor degree in the past 10 years.
To be eligible you need at least a credit (60%) average
The undergraduate degree must include:
Chemistry/Biochemistry 4 units
Biochemistry content with Chemistry (equivalent to 25% of a year study load – 2 units) followed by Biochemistry (equivalent to a 25% year load – 2 units). This content must include fundamentals of molecular biology, macronutrient structure, function and metabolism, cellular metabolism and regulation.
Human Biology & Human Physiology 4 units
Human Physiology content with Human Biology (equivalent to a 25% year study load – 2 units) followed by Human Physiology (25% of a year study load – 2 units)
This content must include systemic human physiology including the eight body systems (immune, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and nervous systems)
Human Nutrition 1 unit
(equivalent to 12.5% of a year study load) This must include general principles of nutrition, essential nutrients (food sources, storage and function of macronutrients and micronutrients), principles of energy balance and nutrient analysis of foods.
Research Methods 1 unit
(equivalent to 12.5% of a year study load). This should include fundamentals of study design, data collection methods, data analysis including basic statistics and epidemiology.
A second food /nutrition subject at any level is desirable (e.g. food science, nutrition science, lifespan nutrition).
English requirements
Gaining the required result in one of the following tests of English language:
IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score less than 6.5.
A TOEFL minimum test score of either;
in the written TOEFL, 587 with a Test of Written English (TWE) score of at least 4.5; or
in the internet-based TOEFL, an overall score of at least 94 with at least 24 in writing, 19 in reading and no less than 20 in listening and speaking.
University entrance requirements
Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.
Extra Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a Supplementary Information Form, which is available online from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics website and applicants may be required to attend for extra assessment.
Additional information
Immunisation: Students must satisfy the immunisation requirements in order to participate in placements that are compulsory course requirements. It is the student's responsibility to have a satisfactory immunisation status by the end of the First Semester (March) of the Master of Dietetics course.
Monash University is required to inform placement organisations of the immunisation status of all students. If a student does not satisfy the placement organisation's immunisation requirements, it may refuse to accept the student for a placement. A student who is unable to complete all compulsory placements cannot meet the requirements for successful completion of the course.
Students will also be asked to obtain a National Police Certificate (annual requirement) and a Working With Children check on enrolment in the program.
What are biosciences?
This will need to consist of chemistry, physiology and biochemistry. This can be extended to also include biology, immunology, anatomy, genetics, microbiology, food chemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology.
What are the entry requirements for Master of Dietetics (International Students)?
Qualifications
An undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area for example: biomedical science, science, health sciences, nutrition, food science and exercise science, (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree). It is expected that your Bachelor degree has been completed in the past 10 years unless you have been assessed as having work experience that faculty considers equivalent to having studied a Bachelor degree in the past 10 years.
To be eligible you need at least a credit (60%) average
The undergraduate degree must include:
Chemistry/Biochemistry 4 units
Biochemistry content with Chemistry (equivalent to 25% of a year study load – 2 units) followed by Biochemistry (equivalent to a 25% year load – 2 units). This content must include fundamentals of molecular biology, macronutrient structure, function and metabolism, cellular metabolism and regulation.
Human Biology & Human Physiology 4 units
Human Physiology content with Human Biology (equivalent to a 25% year study load – 2 units) followed by Human Physiology (25% of a year study load – 2 units)
This content must include systemic human physiology including the eight body systems (immune, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and nervous systems)
Human Nutrition 1 unit
(equivalent to 12.5% of a year study load) This must include general principles of nutrition, essential nutrients (food sources, storage and function of macronutrients and micronutrients), principles of energy balance and nutrient analysis of foods.
Research Methods 1 unit
(equivalent to 12.5% of a year study load). This should include fundamentals of study design, data collection methods, data analysis including basic statistics and epidemiology.
A second food /nutrition subject at any level is desirable (e.g. food science, nutrition science, lifespan nutrition).
English entry requirements
Gaining the required result in one of the following tests of English language:
IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score less than 6.5.
A TOEFL minimum test score of either;
in the written TOEFL, 587 with a Test of Written English (TWE) score of at least 4.5; or
in the internet-based TOEFL, an overall score of at least 94 with at least 24 in writing, 19 in reading and no less than 20 in listening and speaking.
University entrance requirements
Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.
Extra Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a Supplementary Information Form, which is available online from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics website and applicants may be required to attend for extra assessment.
Additional information
Immunisation: Students must satisfy the immunisation requirements in order to participate in placements that are compulsory course requirements. It is the student's responsibility to have a satisfactory immunisation status by the end of the First Semester (March) of the Master of Dietetics course.
Monash University is required to inform placement organisations of the immunisation status of all students. If a student does not satisfy the placement organisation's immunisation requirements, it may refuse to accept the student for a placement. A student who is unable to complete all compulsory placements cannot meet the requirements for successful completion of the course.
Students will also be asked to obtain a National Police Certificate (annual requirement) and a Working With Children check on enrolment in the program.
What is the application process?
For both domestic and international applicants, please refer to the step by step online guide at: http://www.monash.edu/study/apply/guide/. Applications consist of both the online application form and the supplementary information form. We would appreciate if you also attach a document indicating which units from your previous studies meet our Masters of Dietetics prerequisites.
Application dates
- 1 January - 31 May
All applicants will be required to demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills and commitment to this career path through completion of the supplementary form.
Documents certified by an authorised person are to be uploaded along with your application. Your offer letter will give further instructions you will need to follow to ensure your enrolment into the Master of Dietetics degree is completed.
You will not be able to defer your commencement date. You will need to apply for the year you want to commence. Deferments are not accepted as we need accurate numbers for our placement sites.
All domestic applicants that meet the minimum requirements are ranked after the closing date (31 May) and will be notified by the end of June. Please note this is a quota course.
Is the course available for international students?
Yes, international students are able to apply for this degree. The CRICOS code is 084910M. To be eligible to apply, you will need to have the required pre-requisites including the language requirements of a minimum overall IELTS score of 7 with no individual band score less than 6.5.
Do you have support in place for international students?
Monash Nutrition is committed to support international students in settling into the Australian education system so their study experience can be maximised. A unique facilitated mentoring support group is in place for international / culturally and linguistically diverse students to ensure a smooth transition to Australian culture while making sense of what they learn to career options in Australia and back-home.
The Monash Nutrition International / CALD Student Mentoring Support Group Program supports this transition through general and learning specific activities; provides an opportunity to practice spoken English; and allows students to increase their Western culture and Australian food knowledge. In addition to face to face support, the program provides an online community and resources covering areas such as strategies to improve English; getting to know a broad range of Australian foods; and career related information in Australia and abroad.
What is the duration of the Master of Dietetics?
The Master of Dietetics will be a 2 year degree commencing in Semester 2. The exception will be for graduate of the Bachelor of Nutrition Science degree who can complete the Master of Dietetics degree in 18 months, commencing in Year 2 Semester 1.
Is this degree available part time (PT) or off-campus?
The Master of Dietetics is only available for full-time and on-campus study.
Is this degree full fee or CSP?
This degree is full-fee paying. An invoice will be available before each semester in WES with payment due before the commencement of that semester. Information for FEE-HELP for domestic students is found here.
Are there any additional requirements?
All students will be required to obtain a Police Check, Working with Children Check and complete immunisation requirements as per Faculty policy. These need to be completed before commencement of placement in the second semester of the degree.
Can I apply for credit?
During the application process, you can attach a credit application form and supporting documentation to your application.
Alternatively, after you receive an offer letter, forward the credit application form & supporting documentation to nutrition.dietetics@monash.edu.
Credit will not be given for the final 18 months of the degree. Please indicate on the credit application which units you believe you have met the credit requirements for.
Is the Master of Dietetics degree accredited?
Yes. The Master of Dietetics has been given accreditation by the Dietitians Association of Australia. On completion, you will be eligible to apply to become a DAA member with a dietetic qualification and join the Accredited Practising Dietitian program.
Where can I find further information about Master of Dietetics?
Further information can be found at http://www.monash.edu.au/study/coursefinder/course/M6002/. The handbook entry includes the course structure. The fees will be updated when they have been finalised.
Please forward enquiries to nutrition.dietetics@monash.edu.