Applications now open
If you're passionate about healthy eating and well-being, and want to promote better understanding of the benefits of nutrition in diverse communities and settings, La Trobe's Master of Dietetics has been established to reflect the emerging needs of this changing profession.
Entry requirements and pathways
Academic entry requirement
Prerequisites
The successfully completed cognate undergraduate Bachelor (AQF7) degree program in nutrition, or in a science or health-related discipline must have been completed within the last eight years.
Subsequent postgraduate study and/or work experience in a relevant area may also be considered.
Successful completion of a cognate undergraduate Bachelor (AQF7) degree program in nutrition, or a science or health-related discipline with a nutrition minor or equivalent subjects. Subjects completed must include two units each of: human biology, human physiology, chemistry, and biochemistry, as well as units covering nutrition science, nutrition and disease, food science and food skills, general research and epidemiology.
WAM - Weighted Average Mark (WAM) 70%
Additional Information regarding WAM and Early Conditional Offers
Successful completion of La Trobe Bachelor of Nutrition Science/Bachelor of Human Nutrition
OR
Successful completion of La Trobe Bachelor of Food and Nutrition, including completion of HBS301 as an elective
The successfully completed cognate undergraduate Bachelor (AQF7) degree program in nutrition, or in a science or health-related discipline must meet the following conditions:
- Each subject must be equivalent to at least 0.125 Effective Full-time Study Unit (EFTSU).
- The required units of human physiology and biochemistry must be completed at a second-year tertiary level or higher (Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 6 or higher).
- The required general research and epidemiology must be completed at a second year tertiary level or higher (AQF level 6 or higher)
- Specialisation - compulsory: Physiology studies must have included systemic physiology and/or pathophysiology, including homeostatic mechanisms and at least six of the following eight systems: body defences (immune system), gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and nervous systems.
- Specialisation - compulsory: Nutrition science must have included macronutrients and micronutrients (food sources, metabolism, storage and function), principles of energy balance and nutrient analysis of foods.
Subsequent postgraduate study and/or work experience in a relevant area may also be considered.
Selection criteria
All applicants can complete and submit a Personal Statement.
If you are not a current La Trobe University student, please complete the additional information form Non La Trobe applicants to complete and attach a Prerequisite Information Form
Applicants can supply their resume. Non La Trobe applicants can provide a resume work or volunteer experience relevant to dietetics.
Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
Core participation requirements
Core Participation Requirements are abilities, attributes and behaviours that are required to undertake learning activities and professional experience in your course. These requirements are provided for your information and are not entry requirements. Core Participation Requirements are also referred to as Inherent Requirements by other institutions.
La Trobe University wants you to understand the Core Participation Requirements of your course so you can:
- determine if you may need support during your studies; and
- make an informed decision about whether the course is suitable for you.
If there are any Core Participation Requirements listed below that you do not feel capable of demonstrating, we may be able to make adjustments that may support your studies. Please contact the AccessAbility Hub or your Course Coordinator to discuss any adjustments you may need.
As a La Trobe student, you will also need to abide by the Student Charter and meet any professional accreditation requirements of your course.
Core requirement
Students must be able to manage their own responses and behaviour to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals in order to complete tasks or for professional practice.
See also Student behaviours policy for more information.
Course-specific requirement
Dietetics students will work collaboratively with peers in classroom environments, and with a range of stakeholders in professional placement settings. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and those they interact with, there are a number of expectations that must be demonstrated during the course to signal their ability to perform in a workplace setting. Students are expected to seek, respond to and provide effective feedback. They must demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and resilience, and they are expected to accept responsibility for and manage, implement and evaluate their own emotions, personal health and wellbeing. Students must demonstrate professional conduct and accept responsibility for their own actions. They should consistently demonstrate reflective practice in collaboration with supervisors, peers and mentors. Students are expected to demonstrate integrity, honesty and fairness, and to use negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
Dietetics students will work collaboratively with peers in classroom environments, and with a range of stakeholders in professional placement settings. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and those they interact with, there are a number of expectations that must be demonstrated during the course to signal their ability to perform in a workplace setting. Students are expected to seek, respond to and provide effective feedback. They must demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and resilience, and they are expected to accept responsibility for and manage, implement and evaluate their own emotions, personal health and wellbeing. Students must demonstrate professional conduct and accept responsibility for their own actions. They should consistently demonstrate reflective practice in collaboration with supervisors, peers and mentors. Students are expected to demonstrate integrity, honesty and fairness, and to use negotiation and conflict-resolution skills when required. Students should acknowledge, reflect on and understand their own culture, values, beliefs, attitudes, biases, assumptions, privilege and power and their influence on practice. The must work respectfully with diverse clients in choosing culturally safe and responsive strategies to suit the goals, lived experiences and environment of clients.
https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/maintaining-professional-standards/ncs/
Core requirement
Students must be able to locate, acquire, retain and apply knowledge as part of their learning and for assessment. They must have the ability to sustain their attention over a designated period, maintain their focus in a variety of learning environments and remember information long enough to complete tasks in a reasonable and safe timeframe.
Course-specific requirement
Dietitians and dietetics students require focus and sustained attention in all work activities. For example, in an individual case management setting, students will be required to gather information from a range of sources (clients, other health professionals, medical notes, peer-reviewed literature and practice guidelines) to inform their nutrition care plans. This involves application of a range of skills in tasks that are sustained over significant periods of time. To successfully complete their studies and perform as dietitians, students will be required to demonstrate that they can: (1) systematically search for, evaluate, interpret and apply findings from food, nutrition, dietetic, social, behavioural and education sciences into dietetic practice; (2) apply problem-solving skills to create realistic solutions to nutrition problems or issues; (3) collect, analyse and interpret relevant health, medical, cultural, social, psychological, economic, personal, environmental, dietary intake, food systems and sustainability data when assessing nutritional issues of clients; (4) collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation and quality management data.
https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/maintaining-professional-standards/ncs/
Core requirement
Students should possess the ability to interact with visual, auditory or tactile inputs sufficiently to manage their learning environment and to meet professional performance needs.
Course-specific requirement
Dietetics students require sufficient visual acuity to assess nutritional status of clients. They require sufficient ability to interact with visual as well as auditory and tactile inputs to identify and assess risks, incidents and errors to maintain personal and client safety. Dietetics students require sufficient auditory ability to engage in effective active listening, interviewing and interpersonal skills. They require sufficient tactile ability and visual acuity to undertake physical patient assessments and to manipulate and assess the sensory characteristics of food.
https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/maintaining-professional-standards/ncs/
Core requirement
Gross motor skills: Students should possess the strength, range of motion, coordination and mobility sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs.
Fine motor skills: Students should possess the manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs.
Course-specific requirement
Dietetics students are required to utilise a range of relevant technology and equipment efficiently, effectively and safely. This includes participating in food preparation activities using manual equipment (eg. knives) as well as large appliances. Students are also required to complete anthropometric measurements using a range of equipment requiring fine motor skills such as calipers and tape measures, and gross motor skills such as stadiometers.
https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/maintaining-professional-standards/ncs/
Credit for previous study (advanced standing)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.
The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.
To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.
Pathways
A pathway is simply an alternative way for a student to get into their dream course - if direct entry isn't an option.
We've listed the 'pathway method and outcome' - which is how you can transfer into the area you want to study, assuming you meet the entry requirements (e.g. minimum WAM). You'll also find an estimate of how long it could take you to graduate, from the start of your pathway to the completion of your dream degree.
| Preferred course | Alternative pathway courses | Pathway method & outcome | Years to graduate including the Pathway course (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
Master of Dietetics | Bachelor of Food and Nutrition | 4.5-5 years |
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
What you'll study
Sample course structure
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.
To qualify for the award of Master of Dietetics, students must complete a total of 195 credit points across 2 years.
The subjects of this course may be scheduled for offer at either or both the Bundoora or City campuses. In order to complete the course, students may need to attend classes at both campuses.
Year 1 requires the completion of 60 credit points including:
- 60 credit points from chosen Core
Year 2 requires the completion of 135 credit points including:
- 135 credit points from chosen Core
Study options
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
| Subject name | Subject code | Year | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE | LTU0AIM | 1 | 0 |
| ADVANCED MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY | DTN5003 | 1 | 15 |
| DIETETIC PRACTICE AND COUNSELLING SKILLS | DTN5001 | 1 | 15 |
| DIETETICS FOR A DIVERSE SOCIETY | DTN5004 | 1 | 15 |
| MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY | DTN5002 | 1 | 15 |
| APPLIED RESEARCH SKILLS IN DIVERSE PRACTICE SETTINGS | DTN5009 | 2 | 15 |
| DIETETICS FOR MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITY AND AGED CARE | DTN5005 | 2 | 15 |
| EMPLOYABILITY BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS FOR DIETITIANS | DTN5011 | 2 | 15 |
| FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE | DTN5006 | 2 | 15 |
| PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION PRACTICE | DTN5008 | 2 | 15 |
| FUTURE READY AND SPECIALISED DIETETIC PRACTICE | DTN5012 | 2 | 30 |
| PROFESSIONAL DIETETIC PRACTICE | DTN5007 | 2 | 30 |
Work-Based Learning
Compulsory placements (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will participate in one or more supervised Work Based Learning (WBL) placements designed to allow you to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge while integrating theory with practice. The placements will immerse you in professional work culture, enabling you to develop and further enhance your skills. WBL provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience at one or more of our local, interstate or international industry partners or agencies. WBL placements will generally be arranged by the Partnership Operations Team in the Office of the Provost at La Trobe University. Students may incur additional costs and it may be necessary to travel or relocate to complete a specific placement. Please refer to the individual subject entries for more information.
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details
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.
View course information for Melbourne (Bundoora)
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Master of Dietetics course and career outcomes
However you choose to structure your study, La Trobe recognises your hard work. Here are the pathways you could follow as you move through your course.
Course intended learning outcomes
- Communicate, educate and advocate effectively with professional and non-professional stakeholders in a variety of settings, using a number of modes and media, and including demonstration of advanced digital literacy
- Critically analyse and demonstrate mastery of food, nutrition, biological, psychological and social sciences in order to plan, implement and evaluate food, nutrition and dietetic practice in diverse and changing contexts
- Critically analyse research evidence to enable knowledge translation for ethically informed and evidence based food, nutrition and dietetic practice and synthesise innovative and creative professional solutions in a dynamic environment
- Exhibit autonomy, collaboration and leadership in decision-making in the ethical application of professional knowledge and skills in a range of food, nutrition and health related contexts
- Integrate and apply diverse understandings and strategies to support health and wellbeing among individuals, groups and communities
- Demonstrate mastery in the application of specialist knowledge in accordance with the required dietetic competencies
- Critically reflect on practice to identify learning needs and take a responsible and proactive approach to ongoing professional development
Master of Dietetics career opportunities
After graduation, you'll be ready to work as a registered dietitian. You could find employment in a growing range of clinical and community settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Help hospital patients recover from injury or illness.
- Private practice
- Work in private practice to provide care for a wide range of individuals and help them reach their health goals.
- Research
- Work in universities and other research organisations to further our understanding of nutrition. Work in the food industry to develop food products.
- Sports associations
- Provide individual care and support to improve performance and health outcomes.
- Community nutrition
- Provide nutritional education for general good health and promote nutrition through community-level education.
Professional recognition
The Master of Dietetics is currently undergoing accreditation by Dietitians Australia (DA). Professional membership will require an application to the professional body and may have additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated course fees for domestic postgraduate students
Estimated fees per year (2024):
Indicative based on 2023 fees
$40,800 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.
Please note that additional costs are incurred from Essential requirements and additional costs.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both current and future students. Find out what La Trobe scholarship opportunities might be available to you. View all available scholarships
Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.
Scholarships that may be available for this course
La Trobe Excellence Scholarships - Domestic Students
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future postgraduate coursework, Australian Citizen
Duration of Course
Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) Program
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, 1st year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Full time enrolment and proof of relocation will be confirmed before payment is made into the recipient's bank account.
Questions about fees and scholarships?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
How to apply
The application process can vary depending on the course.
Most postgraduate courses generally take 15 to 20 minutes.
You can apply for up to eight postgraduate courses. Please list these in order of your preference. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an offer for your highest preference. If you change your mind, you can change your preferences through the application portal.
Check when course applications close
If you’ve undertaken study in the past, you may be able to get credit toward your new postgraduate degree. This is called ‘advanced standing’.
Once you’ve enrolled in your course, you can apply for advanced standing by lodging an advanced standing application form.
Ready to apply?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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Overview
Key facts
| Award | Master of Dietetics |
|---|---|
| Start dates |
Indicative based on 2023 start dates Semester 2 (July 2024) |
| Duration | 1.5 years full-time |
| Available locations | Melbourne (Bundoora) |
| Scholarships | View fees and scholarships |
| Fees |
Indicative based on 2023 fees $40,800 per 120 credit points.Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year. Learn more about Fees and scholarships. |
About the Master of Dietetics
If you're passionate about healthy eating and well-being, and want to promote better understanding of the benefits of nutrition in diverse communities and settings, La Trobe's Master of Dietetics has been established to reflect the emerging needs of this changing profession.
La Trobe has a long history of nutrition education, and our new contemporary Master of Dietetics both builds on that history and embraces newfound developments and changing ideologies. Our person-centred, socially conscious approach to nutrition science favours the teaching of flexible concepts over dogmatic facts, and aids you in establishing a strong professional approach and individual identity.
Applying your research skills in diverse practice settings, utilise La Trobe's long-term industry partnerships to gain on-the-ground experience in clinical and community spaces. Your experience will prepare you for work in priority sectors, with focus on diversity, community inclusion and counselling.
Our approach to dietetics values the importance of life-long learning, and teaches you how to incorporate novel technologies, cutting-edge science and emerging evidence into your developing practice. Graduate ready to succeed in your career, and ready to help people.
With La Trobe's Master of Dietetics, you'll learn:
- Care, counselling, medical nutrition
- Learn essential skills in nutrition assessment, diagnosis and counselling. Understanding medical nutrition therapy and patient support.
- Individual case management
- During 50 days of placement, you'll apply your clinical knowledge, counselling skills and the nutrition care process to support the health of individuals and groups.
- Food service
- Through placement and practical classes, you'll explore the food systems utilised in clinical settings, and support vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
- Entrepreneurship
- Get the skills to succeed as a professional dietitian. Learn how to set up your own business and explore professional ethics, leadership and management.
- Future-focused topics
- Explore future-ready issues (sustainability, indigenous health) and specialist areas of dietetic practice. Use emerging, priority areas (mental health, disability, aged care) as a conceptual framework to explore interdisciplinary practice. Work with carers and translators, learn community impact and advocacy.
- Professional identity and diversity
- Discover the scope and diversity of dietetic roles, from professional practice and standards through to the impact of colonisation and hierarchical systems on healthcare.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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