Master of Dietetic Practice

The Master of Dietetic Practice is a two-year full-time degree that aims to give students with a relevant undergraduate degree the opportunity to obtain a professional qualification as a dietitian. The course provides a background in individual case management, clinical dietetic practice, community and public health nutrition and food service management, with a focus on evidence-based practice in nutrition and dietetics.

Dietitians have a key role in the nutrition management of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, malnutrition, food allergy and intolerance. Dietitians are active in the prevention of many diseases and conditions through nutrition education, health promotion and advocacy. They may work independently or as members of health care teams. Dietitians are also involved in research, food industry and health services management.

The course aims to prepare graduates for entry-level roles in all areas of dietetics, including patient/client care in hospitals, private practice, community nutrition and public health and food service. Dietitians also work in a range of other fields including research, teaching and training, management, writing, media, marketing, public relations and the food industry (including product development, food regulation, safety, consumer nutrition education and nutrition marketing).

Students in this course will acquire and apply knowledge of food, food science and nutrition, develop practical skills of dietetic management of health and disease and develop skills in research and evidence- based practice in dietetics.

Students will undertake professional practice placements over 100 days during the course. Clinical placements often occur outside normal University semester periods. Students are required to undertake placements in a variety of settings, including 60 days of individual dietetic case management (medical nutrition therapy), 20 days of community care and 20 days of food service management.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9.

Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.

The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.

• Melbourne (Bundoora)

To view other campus handbook course details, please select relevant campus in the drop down.

The Master of Dietetic Practice is accredited by Dietitians Australia (DA). Graduates of the Master of Dietetic Practice may apply for membership with Dieticians Australia (DA). Membership may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.