MPH: Nutrition and Dietetics

Degree Division: Clinical Public Health Division
Program Contact: Administrative Team

Program Description

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics offers students opportunities to develop expertise in dietetic practice within the health and food systems, from disease prevention to palliation.

The MPH-Nutrition and Dietetics program is one of the educational programs offered through the Division of Clinical Public Health in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. It is administered by the Graduate Department of Public Health Sciences in partnership with the Department of Nutritional Sciences, the University Health Network , and Compass Group Canada.

The dietetic education program (20 month) is accredited by Accreditation Canada’s EQual program and prepares students for eligibility for registration with a Canadian provincial dietetics regulatory body. At the end of the program, all students are expected not only to meet MPH degree requirements, but also to have completed 1250 hours of dietetic practical training and successfully demonstrated competence in all areas of the most current set of Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP).

Registered Dietitians who have recently graduated from a Canadian accredited undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetic program or its equivalent are welcomed to apply for the MPH-Nutrition and Dietetics, and if accepted into the program will be exempt from some of the courses that are dietetic practical training requirements as part of the accredited program.

Registered Dietitians with >5 years of career experience

The MPH-Nutrition and Dietetics (Advanced Standing) program is designed to provide experienced Registered Dietitians having a minimum of 5 years in practice (in Canada or internationally) with enhanced access to professionally relevant learning and leadership development.

For more information, read the Student FAQ.

Program Goals

Vision

Registered Dietitians will lead dietetic and professional practice within an evolving clinical public health landscape.

Mission

The MPH Nutrition and Dietetics program fosters caring and innovative dietetic leaders and practitioners within the evolving health and food system.

The curriculum provides robust academic and experiential opportunities to address the health and the social determinants of health of individuals, communities and populations from health promotion, disease prevention and treatment.

The program is governed by a unique partnership between the University of Toronto, University Health Network and Toronto Public Health, that embodies the clinical public health philosophy.

Values

Collaboration across Systems
Compassion
Ethical and Evidence-based Action
Adaptability and Innovation
Health Equity
Interprofessional Lifelong Learning
Critical and Reflexive Thinking

Program Philosophy

We believe that:

As the complexity of dietetics increases, there is great potential for dietitians to lead and advance practice across the health and food systems beyond traditional roles;
a new integrated systems approach to dietetic education using the model of *Clinical Public Health will best enable dietitians to adapt to the evolving health and food systems and address the health of individuals, communities and populations;
*Clinical Public Health is the integration of health services across the lifespan, challenging traditional notions of medicine and public health to promote an effective approach to health and well-being, in individuals, communities and populations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Given our program Vision, Mission, Values and Philosophy, through this program, our students will:

Model participative leadership including systems thinking, responsiveness to emerging nutrition issues, peer support and respect, and flexibility given the changing nature of the health landscape.
Engage in the generation of knowledge and in critical evaluation of current and advanced research, in the area of nutrition and dietetics in the context of clinical public health.
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate a nutrition care plan as a part of an interprofessional care team that meets the needs of the individual within the context of a broader population health lens.
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate nutrition interventions that address the needs of groups, communities and populations, using a population health framework and health equity lens, while recognizing the needs of the individual.
Lead and organize management and food services, using operational planning principles and systems thinking.
Communicate issues and conclusions clearly, concisely and correctly in written, spoken, and visual forms, to a variety of audiences.
Contribute productively to interprofessional teamwork through effective collaboration.
Demonstrate critical thinking in problem solving and decision-making activities in complex and evolving contexts both inside and outside of the profession.
Exhibit a professional level of initiative, personal responsibility, and accountability by effectively managing the use of time and other resources to achieve milestones and deadlines.
Engage in reflective practice and action research in order to assess personal capacity and enhance professional practice.
Participate in the analysis, strategic navigation, and evolution of standards and requirements relevant to dietetic practice.

Career Opportunities

With a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of practice in population and public health, nutrition care and management, and through the development of essential leadership, communication and professional practice skills, graduates will play a pivotal role in the future of nutrition and dietetics. Graduates will be highly competitive in the changing landscape of employment for health professionals. Currently graduates are employed in settings where nutrition professionals work such as hospitals, public health, government agencies, community health centres, family health teams, community food agencies and the food industry.

Admission Criteria

Applicants must have completed a four-year degree with specialization in Human Nutritional Sciences from a Canadian food/nutrition university program that is accredited by Accreditation Canada’s EQual program, or the equivalent. For individuals who completed their undergraduate dietetics education outside of Canada, academic currency must be assessed by the College of Dietitians of Ontario. We accept KCAT Level 1 Result as demonstration of academic currency.

Students who completed their undergraduate studies in Canada, at a program that is not recognized or accredited by Accreditation Canada’s EQual program, are advised to apply to an accredited undergraduate university dietetics program to have their courses assessed and to complete outstanding course requirements (e.g Western University or Toronto Metropolitan University).

We advise all prospective students to review the general DLSPH MPH admission requirements prior to submitting an application. Information about the online application process can be found here.

International applicants

No applicant will be admitted without evidence of English Language Proficiency (ELP). As per the policy of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), the following applicants do not have to provide direct supporting evidence of ELP in the application.

A Canadian citizen who studied at a Canadian university where instruction is in English or French;
Any applicant who has obtained a qualifying undergraduate degree from an institution that is recognized by the University of Toronto, and where the language of instruction and examination is uniformly English.

If either criterion above is satisfied, the application can be submitted without test scores or other proof of ELP.

Otherwise, an approved test of English Language Proficiency must be submitted at the time of application. Scores must meet the minimum requirements set by SGS and must be valid (taken within 2 years of submission of the application). See SGS website for details.

Applicants who studied outside Canada must consult the School of Graduate Studies website to determine whether evidence of ELP can be waived. The SGS website lists those countries where university instruction in English will be recognized without further documentation. Click here for more information.

The program starts in September each year.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete 10.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCE) within the maximum time limit of 3 years as a full-time student. Most full-time students complete their degree within 2 years. The 10.0 FCE include a series of MPH degree-required courses, Nutrition and Dietetics field-specific courses, and practica, as well as electives chosen by students. Elective courses may be selected from other Public Health fields as well as other University of Toronto departments with the Program Director’s approval. All students are enrolled in CHL5004H Introduction to Public Health Sciences in the first year of study. This course begins earlier in September than regularly scheduled graduate courses.

Course Code	Course Title	FCEs
Term 1 – Fall		3.0
CHL5004H	Introduction to Public Health Sciences	0.5
CHL5220H	Introduction to Quantitative Research (or an approved elective)	0.5
CHL5300H	Public Health Policy	0.5
CHL5650H*	Foundations of Practice I	0.5
CHL5651H*	Foundations of Practice II	0.5
CHL5652H*	Foundations of Practice III	0.5
Term 2 – Winter		1.5
CHL6010Y + CHL6011H*	Required MPH Practicum + Required Practicum Extension	1.5
Term 3 – Summer		1.5
CHL6020Y* + CHL6021H*	Optional MPH Practicum + Optional Practicum Extension	1.5
Terms 4 – Fall		1.5-2.5
CHL5654H	Nutrition Programs and Strategies	0.5
CHL5656Y	Nutrition & Dietetics Culminating Project (Fall-Winter course)	1.0
	Nutrition Science course and/or electives
Term 5 – Winter		1.5-2.5
CHL5107H	Introduction to Qualitative Research	0.5
	Nutrition Science course and/or electives
TOTAL		10.0

*Dietetic Regulatory Body Requirements

Students who wish to qualify for registration with a provincial dietetics regulatory body must complete three FCE of practica and three Foundations of Practice courses.

Students who are Registered Dietitians are required to complete one 8-week practicum (1.0 FCE). Additional electives replace the second practicum (1.5-2.0 FCE) and the three Foundations courses (2.5 FCE).

For more information, read the Student FAQ.

Preparation for Doctoral Studies

The MPH program in Nutrition and Dietetics does not require students to complete a thesis. However, students have the opportunity to complete research practica and research papers, and are eligible for many PhD programs. Applicants wishing to pursue doctoral studies should familiarize themselves with the specific admission requirements of doctoral programs of interest.

Completing an Emphasis

What is an Emphasis?
An emphasis is an area of professional focus within our practical dietetic training program. It incorporates additional required coursework, and specific practical training assignments to allow students with targeted professional interests to experience greater involvement and enhanced mentoring relationships in the area of dietetic practice where they hope to make their career.

Is an Emphasis consistent with a Clinical Public Health approach to dietetic training?
The MPH-Nutrition and Dietetics program remains committed to a clinical public health philosophy: developing comprehensive expertise in dietetic practice within the health and food systems, from disease prevention to palliation. And all students in the program receive training across all areas of dietetic practice to meet the standards for entry to the profession.

Recognizing the overall clinical public health focus of this program and the need to prepare all students for fundamental dietetic competency at entry to practice, we believe there is room for some students to customize their program more closely to their professional aspirations. With additional classroom learning, focused placements, and the opportunity to develop mentoring relationships with professionals in their particular area of interest, we feel this emphasis will enhance their learning experience and better prepare those students to apply their skills in their preferred area of practice.

Do all MPH-Nutrition and Dietetics students need to apply for an Emphasis?
An emphasis is not required for the successful completion of the MPH-Nutrition and Dietetics program. It will be an option for students who begin the program with a deep interest in a particular area of dietetic practice.

NB: MPH- Nutrition and Dietetics students who enter the program having already completed a program of practical dietetic training (including Advanced Standing students) are not eligible to apply for an Emphasis.

Can students complete an Emphasis and a Collaborative Specialization?
An emphasis may be compatible with students’ interest in relevant Collaborative Specializations, but we recognize that scheduling all of the various program requirements will be a challenge. Students who wish to complete both an Emphasis and a Collaborative Specialization will need to work with the Program Director to plan their course and placement selections carefully.

NB: Students in the MPH-Nutrition and Dietetics program will not be permitted to complete more than one Emphasis during their MPH program.

MPH: Nutrition & Dietetics – Advanced Standing

Applicants who have completed a dietetic internship, have at least 5 years of relevant professional work experience as a Registered Dietitian, and are members in a regulatory body of dietetics may be interested in the MPH: Nutrition and Dietetics – Advanced Standing option.

Frequently Asked Questions from Applicants

Please review the information in the MPH: Nutrition & Dietetics Frequently Asked Questions page.

Links

The College of Dietitians of Ontario
The Department of Nutritional Sciences
University Health Network Clinical Nutrition
Compass Group Canada LinkedIn/ Instagram