This emphasis would provide a subset of our incoming cohort with the opportunity to gain a deeper experience in public health nutrition through course work, a guaranteed 8-week placement in a regional, provincial or federal public health agency, and a culminating project with a population health approach.

Please Note: For cohort starting in September 2024, we are piloting this emphasis after the COVID-19 pandemic where many public health agencies were tasked with pandemic response and recovery.  We will start with minimum two students for this 2024 cohort.

Emphasis Requirement:

  • Completion of an 8-week practicum placement with a regional, provincial or federal public health agency;
  • An additional course requirement of NFS1201H Public Health Nutrition; and
  • Completion of a relevant assignment for an appropriate agency focused on public health nutrition (to be approved by program director/course instructor), for CHL5656Y Nutrition and Dietetics Culminating Project. The nature of the project assignment will need to carefully align with the learning needs of students registered in this emphasis.

Practicum in Governmental Agency (8-week)

Examples of recent governmental agencies offering practicum placements include:

  • Toronto Public Health. (e.g. Healthiest Babies Possible)
  • Health Canada. (e.g. Nutrition Promotion)
  • Ontario Health. (e.g. Chronic Disease Management)
  • Peterborough Public Health. (e.g. Food Systems)
  • Hastings Prince Edward Public Health. (e.g. Food Insecurity)
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. (e.g. Food Policy)

Course Requirement:

Students are required to enroll and complete NFS 1201H Public Health Nutrition.

Culminating Projects in Public Health Nutrition (CHL5656Y)

Culminating projects in Public Health Nutrition facilitates competency development within community and public health settings guided by population health, community development, and health equity. Students work on policy development, program planning, community assessment, dietetic education, and professional practice projects. These projects can be hosted by non-profit organizations, community agencies, program faculty, public health researchers, governmental agencies, or independent consultants.

Examples:

  • Ontario Dietitian in Public Health. Anti-racism practice in public health assessment and engagement; public health placements orientation manual development
  • Summerlunch+. Program expansion and advocacy project; pilot program education modules and cookbook development; White paper development for summer food programs
  • Joannah & Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition. Feeding Kids, Nourishing Minds School Food Implementer Stakeholder analysis
  • Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health/AMP Lab. Dietetics-Related Resources for Future Land-Based Programming; development of Indigenous Cultural Safety Training modules.
  • MPH Nutrition & Dietetics Program. Weight in Society course syllabus development; gap analysis of 2SLGBTQ+ health within dietetic curriculum

Application Process

For cohort starting in September 2024, two students will be accepted into the public health nutrition emphasis.

Students can apply by submitting an updated CV and Application Form (fillable pdf) to the Program Director, Pierrette Buklis (pierrette.buklis@utoronto.ca), by May 31, 2024. The top candidates will be contacted for a virtual meeting with program faculty in June 2024. Notice will be given to all applicants by early July 2024.