309105 v.1 Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics

Introduction

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 a hospital and in the community or public health setting. They also work in food service and food industry, research teams and private practice.

Course Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed the Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) with a course weighted average of at least 65 percent. You will be required to submit a written application to assess your suitability to the course. Applicants will be ranked on the basis of their course-weighted average (90 percent of grading) and the written application (10 percent of grading). Applicants who are eligible to sit the Dietitians Association of Australia Professional Examinations in Dietetics (overseas trained dietitians) are ineligible to apply.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is one year full-time study (two years part-time) with the professional placement program extending beyond the end of second semester.

Course Organisation

In this course 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. A satisfactory performance in Medicine and Dietetics 581, Advanced Nutrition Topics 581 and Dietetic Practice Techniques 581 is a prerequisite for Clinical Placement 582. Performance will be judged satisfactory if the student achieves a weighted aggregate of 65 or more in the combination of Medicine and Dietetics 581, Dietetic Practice Techniques 581 and Advanced Nutrition Topics 581. Students are required to participate in preliminary placement activities during the inter-semester break and the major placement activities continue beyond the semester.

Professional Recognition

This course is accredited with the Dietitians’ Association of Australia (DAA) and graduates are eligible to apply for membership as Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD).

Career Opportunities

Graduates find employment as members of health teams in hospitals, community or public health, food service, the food industry, sporting groups, research teams and private practice.

Additional Course Expenses

Students are expected to purchase uniforms, a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials. All costs of immunisations, screening and clearances required are the responsibility of the student. Cost of placements are the responsibility of the student.

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.

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.