Master of Dietetics

What is this course about? 

The Master of Dietetics aims to qualify individuals for professional practice in nutrition and dietetics. It also provides a pathway to further study.

The Master of Dietetics provides graduates with a body of knowledge that includes an understanding of recent developments in the dietetic discipline or an area of professional practice. It is designed to offer a pathway for graduates who have studied biochemistry, physiology, food and nutrition sciences in their undergraduate degree, to pursue a career as a dietitian. 

Students will develop cognitive, technical and creative skills to enable them to demonstrate a mastery of knowledge of food science, the ability to interpret nutrition science and reflect critically on theory and professional practice. Students will also be able to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems and concepts, and apply established theories to clinical practice, public health nutrition and food service management. 

Communication skills will be developed to enable students to interpret and justify theoretical propositions, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences. They will also be able to design, evaluate, implement and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship. 

Graduates of this course will be able to:

• contribute to the wellbeing of others in society through their role as a dietitian
• exercise professional duty of care in accordance with the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) code of professional conduct and organisations' guidelines or protocols
• demonstrate a professional, ethical and entrpreneurial approach to advocating for excellence in nutrition and dietetics
• demonstrate and promote safe, evidence-based practice through understanding, interpreting and applying research information, whether in clinical practice or in population health activities
• clearly understand the dietetic professional relationship between the practitioner and the client
• develop appropriate communication, interaction and teamwork skills to work effectively in complex and changing workplaces
• self-audit dietetic performance in clinical, food service and public health nutrition practice using reflective practice to initiate self-directed learning activities
• integrate knowledge acquired from formal and informal sources and utilise reflective approaches to setting goals, examining achievements and engaging in lifelong learning
• demonstrate cultural competence
• integrate research and evaluation principles in dietetic practice
• demonstrate the 2009 DAA National Competency Standards for entry level dietitians in Australia.  

This course may also provide a pathway to further study or a career in nutritional research.

Accreditation 

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 become a DAA member with dietetic qualifications, and 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. All enquiries regarding the progress of the program's accreditation review should be directed to the University's Dietetic Program Coordinator.

Workplace learning 

The Master of Dietetics program has 20 weeks of practicum, attached to the following subjects.

Four of the subjects included in this course involve a professional work placement, while another subject has an optional professional placement. These placements incorporate community and public health, food service management, and clinical dietetic practice. 

NUT502 – Food Service and Management in Dietetics practice - two weeks of food service practicum

NUT508 – Public Health Nutrition Practice - six weeks of Community nutrition practicum

NUT505 – Applied Clinical Dietetics Practice 1 - two weeks of food service practicum

NUT506 – Applied Clinical Dietetics Practice 2- 10 weeks of case management practicum

Study by distance education 

Charles Sturt University is a leader in flexible delivery and offers an extensive range of course materials in a supported online environment. Interaction with teaching staff and other students is supported through online tools such as forums, as well as by phone and email.

Studying by distance education offers students the flexibility to complete their degree while still working or meeting family and lifestyle commitments.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to this course, applicants must have:

• a three-year undergraduate degree which includes:
• • systems physiology equivalent to 16 points at level two or higher
  • biochemistry and metabolism equivalent to 16 points at level two or higher
  • studies in human nutrition equivalent to 16 points at level two or higher
  • studies in food science
• a combination of undergraduate and postgraduate studies deemed equivalent to the above (e.g. a relevant Bachelor degree plus the Graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition)

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 2