314807 v.1 Master of Dietetics
MDiet(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 079872K
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas:
2 Years
Course Overview
Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.
Dietetics involves the study of those medical aspects of disease that have a nutritional component in prevention or treatment. Dietetics is concerned with the science and art of providing nutritional care for individuals and groups differing widely in economic, social, psychological and physiological conditions. Dietitians are recognised as a member of a health team in hospitals and in the community or public health settings. Dietitians also work in food service and food industry, research teams and private practice.
Professional Recognition
This course has been designed to meet all accreditation standards of the Dietitians’ Association of Australia (DAA). Accreditation will be sought once the program commences. The University has sought advice from the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) regarding the processes for the accreditation of the dietetic program. A graduate of an accredited program is eligible to apply to become a DAA member with dietetic qualifications, and to apply to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. The University is planning to submit an accreditation review report within the required timelines. The University’s aim is to achieve accreditation prior to graduation of the first cohort of students.
Additional Course Expenses
Students are expected to purchase uniforms, a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. All costs of immunisations, screening and clearances required are the responsibility of the student. Costs of placements are the responsibility of the student.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.
The course entry is competitive and a high course weighted average is required. An equivalent undergraduate degree needs to meet the Dietitians’ Association of Australia requirements for entry to a Graduate Entry Master. These specify that 50% of each of the first and second years of undergraduate study must be composed of bioscience, chemistry, physiology and biochemistry as outlined in the Manual for Accreditation of Dietetic Education Programs. Students also need to have completed the equivalent of 100 credit points of undergraduate nutrition at second and third year level. Prospective applicants who have a dietetic qualification that can be considered by the Dietitians' Association of Australia for recognition of overseas skills are not eligible for entry into this program. Supplementary information is required to be submitted by all eligible applicants. The primary purpose of this is to assess a range of graduate attributes that are considered essential for dietetic practitioners, particularly communication skills. Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel.
Credit for Recognised Learning
Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.
Pathway to Further Study
Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.
Course Organisation
Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.
Students complete a range of specialist topics in nutrition, counselling and food service. They also take two clinical placements, one in a hospital and one in a metropolitan or regional community health centre. Students will also undertake a research project. Satisfactory performance in Medicine and Dietetics 681, Advanced Nutrition Topics 681 and Dietetic Practice Techniques 681 is a prerequisite for Dietetic Clinical Placement Preparation 682, Clinical Placement 682 and Community Dietetics Placement 682. Students are required to complete all the units of the first year before progressing to the second year of the course.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. apply knowledge in key areas of nutrition and dietetics; integrate research principles into practice and extend knowledge of food and nutrition issues
2. critically review literature and reflect on issues to generate innovative solutions for issues arising in dietetic practice
3. appraise a range of data for assessing health status of individuals, groups and populations to inform future outcomes
4. collaborate with clients, carers and health care teams; document appropriately to the discipline
5. critique and apply appropriate technologies used in food and nutrition programs
6. articulate reflective practice in the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to own dietetic practice and career development
7. apply global perspective to nutrition causes and treatment of chronic diseases
8. demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in local and international contexts; recognise the importance of communicating in a culturally respectful way
9. establish and maintain ethical and professional practices in the workplace; develop collaborative relationships and networks to advocate for individuals, groups and the profession; demonstrate professional leadership and practices to promote nutrition and dietetics
Duration and Availability
This fee-paying course is two year full-time study. Students can complete Year 1 on a part-time basis over 2 years but Year 2 of the course is offered only full time.
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Semester 1 | Y |
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.
| Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | |||||
| 314799 | v.1 | Dietetic Research Methods 581 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 309099 | v.2 | Dietetic Counselling 581 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 314796 | v.1 | Dietetic and Food Service Management 581 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 314797 | v.1 | Pathophysiology for Dietetics 581 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| 314801 | v.1 | Advanced Public Health Nutrition Practice 582 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 13359 | v.3 | Research Dissertation 601 | 16.0 | 50.0 | |
| 314800 | v.1 | Dietetic Professional Studies 582 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| 310091 | v.2 | Advanced Nutrition Topics 681 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 314212 | v.2 | Dietetic Practice Techniques 681 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 314802 | v.1 | Food Service Placement 681 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 310235 | v.2 | Medicine and Dietetics 681 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Study Period 7 | |||||
| 310092 | v.2 | Dietetic Clinical Placement Preparation 682 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 25.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| 314803 | v.1 | Clinical Placement 682 | 50.0 | ||
| 314804 | v.1 | Community and Public Health Nutrition Placement 682 | 25.0 | ||
| 75.0 | |||||
Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au
Course Structure Disclaimer
Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Handbook Disclaimer
The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.
For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.
