Program Description
Demand for highly skilled dietetic professionals in communities across Canada to address complex public health issues such as obesity, chronic disease prevention and food security, requires the development of new interdisciplinary graduate education models. To meet this demand, the MPH Nutrition and Dietetics – Advanced Standing option is designed to provide experienced dietitians from across Canada and abroad with enhanced access to professionally relevant learning and development.
The program starts in September and may be completed in 12 months full-time, or over a longer period of time as a part-time student. It is administered by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, in collaboration with the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University Health Network and Toronto Public Health.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can expect to be employed in any work setting where nutrition professionals with advanced credentials are employed such as public health and government agencies, hospitals and community health centers, not-for-profit organizations and the food industry.
Please note that the MPH Nutrition & Dietetics – Advanced Standing program is not accredited by the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice, and does not fulfill dietetic practical training requirements needed to be registered as a Dietitian in Canada.
Admission Requirements
We advise all prospective students to review the general admission requirements prior to submitting an application.
Additionally, applicants should:
- have a minimum of 5 years relevant professional work experience as a Registered Dietitian
- hold membership in a regulatory body of dietetics
Information and instructions for application submission are found here. Please select
Master of Public Health – Advanced Standing (Field: Nutrition and Dietetics) option in the application portal.
Program Requirements
Students registered in this program are required to complete 5.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCE) within the maximum time frame of 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time. Please note that most full-time students complete their degree in 1 year, while part-time students usually need 2 to 3 years.
Integration with professional work
The MPH Nutrition and Dietetics – Advanced Standing option is designed to allow students to incorporate their professional work experience into learning activities so that both students and workplace benefit from the program. Students are encouraged to discuss the program with their employers in order to identify mutually beneficial project topics and practicum opportunities and to seek employer support during the course of their studies.
Curriculum outline:
| Course | FCE |
| CHL5004H: Introduction to Public Health Sciences | 0.5 |
| CHL5107H: Introduction to Qualitative Research | 0.5 |
| CHL5220H: Introduction to Quantitative Research or approved equivalent | 0.5 |
| CHL5300H: Public Health Policy or CHL5622H: Patient-Related Health Care and Public Policy in Canada | 0.5 |
|
One graduate level course in population/public health nutrition. Acceptable options include: |
0.5 |
|
One graduate level course in nutrition science. Acceptable options include: |
0.5 |
| CHL6013H Required MPH Advanced Standing Practicum (4 weeks) | 0.5 |
| Electives | 1.5 |
| Total FCE | 5.0 |
A Note about the Practicum
The MPH Nutrition and Dietetics – Advanced Standing option practicum is intended to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of specific aspects of a systems-approach to health, develop new skills, and apply knowledge and skills acquired through the program course work. Students will complete a minimum of 160 hours of specific project work as their practicum at their places of employment or in other appropriate settings, by pursuing initiatives that challenge them to develop new expertise and insight.
Students will work closely with the program director to identify a suitable project. Examples of appropriate projects include conducting a community assessment, evaluating a program or intervention, developing a new program or strategy, comparing two or more approaches to addressing a nutrition-related issue. If necessary, another faculty member or field mentor with subject expertise will be assigned as a student advisor for the duration of the project. Students are encouraged to discuss potential practicum projects with their employers in order to identify initiatives that will support the strategic directions and objectives of that organization.
If you have any questions or would like further information about this program, please contact Pierrette Buklis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please review the information in the MPH: Nutrition & Dietetics-Advanced Standing Frequently Asked Questions page.
Links
Dietitians of Canada
The College of Dietitians of Ontario
The Department of Nutritional Sciences