Key facts
Duration
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
The Master of Dietetics prepares you to solve widespread health issues through science-based, diet-related treatments. Take a big step towards becoming an Accredited Practising Dietitian, and build advanced skills that allow you to improve the health and wellbeing of the individuals and communities you work with.
If your goal is to become an accredited practising dietitian, why not join a program that has over 45 years of experience developing industry-ready dietitians?
Deakin’s Master of Dietetics explores the important relationship between diet and disease. Accredited by Dietitians Australia and shaped by decades of industry input, this course trains you to prescribe science-based treatments for a wide range of health issues, from obesity and diabetes, to allergies and malnutrition. If you’re passionate about improving the wellbeing of the people around you through diet, the Master of Dietetics allows you to cut through misinformation to unlock solutions that are shaped by evidence and tested with scientific rigour.
Combine studies in medical nutrition therapy, public health nutrition and food service management to graduate with a well-rounded set of skills that prepare you for a variety of roles. Your problem-solving abilities, communication skills and dietetic knowledge will allow you to thrive in community and public health settings. Prefer to work one-on-one with clients? You will feel just as comfortable using your interpersonal skills to develop tailored treatments in a clinical setting that deliver life-changing results.
Importantly, this course has full accreditation from the Dietitians Australia. That makes it a recognised pathway towards becoming an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Better still, this is one of the few dietetics masters courses in Australia that takes just 18 months (full-time study) to complete. This means you can move into your dream role faster and start helping people sooner.
Practical learning forms a significant part of the course and you will have many opportunities to apply the knowledge you learn in the classroom, in workplaces and industry settings. 22 weeks of professional practice placement gives you industry experience in multiple settings and prepares you for your career as a dietitian. This is where all your training comes to the fore, as you work alongside established dietitians.
Students can enrich their university experience by leveraging the considerable industry connections formed by Deakin’s long-standing School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Just a few of our associations include:
- Nutrition Australia
- Sports Dietitians Australia
- Austin Health
- Barwon Health
- Northern Health
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Western Health.
These relationships open the door to professional development opportunities, give you direct access to ground-breaking research and allow you to build networks that take your career forward.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Dietetics
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H718
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Course structure
To complete the Master of Dietetics students must attain 12 credit points. All units are core (these are compulsory). Units may be worth 1 or 2 credit points - check each unit for its credit point value in the course structure below.
Failure of a compulsory practicum component in any unit of study will normally lead to exclusion. All expenses associated with practicum units, including any transportation or accommodation costs are the responsibility of the student.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core units
Year 1 - Semester 1
Year 1 - Semester 2
PLUS
OR
Year 2 - Semester 1
PLUS
OR
*Enrolment into HSN745 will be determined by the Unit Chair.
#HSN758 – student must pass HSN742, HSN745 and HSN747 placements prior to enrolling into this unit.
^Indicates compulsory practicum core units required to complete in this course.
Note: All students are expected to be available to complete at least one regional placement.
Intakes by location
This course commences in Semester 1 only. It is available across all nominated locations. The course may commence in late January or early February.
Semester 1 - January
- Start date: January
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
Key semester dates for 2025 are available here.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Orientation
Orientation for this course is mandatory and normally takes place the week prior to semester starting; i.e. the last week of January.
Mandatory student checks
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.
In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.
Workload
This is a full-time course that requires significant on-site attendance (for coursework and placements). In the first semester of the course, students can expect to attend on campus or at our partner hospital sites most days each week, with 20-30 hours of onsite learning each week. In the remaining two semesters, in addition to weeks with onsite and online learning, there are a minimum of 22 weeks of full-time placement spread over the two semesters. Students attend placement in line with the working hours of host placement sites (i.e. 37-40 hours per week) and will usually travel less than 1.5 hours each way.
You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
While this is a full-time on-site course, reasonable adjustments may be made under certain circumstances, for example, part-time enrolment in some semesters for students with a disability (see "participation requirements" below).
Participation requirements
Most learning activities are on-site, across a combination of Deakin Burwood seminar spaces, kitchens and clinic simulation rooms, as well as via our partner organisations at hospitals and other health organisations. This facilitates interactive activities and group work which help prepare students for placement and for work as a dietitian.
The course involves compulsory placements of 10 weeks in a clinical setting, 7 weeks in a community setting, 4 weeks in a food service setting (all full-time) and 1 week in an elective setting. These placements may require travel to regional/rural areas, with all students expected to be available to complete at least one regional placement for 4-10 weeks (student accommodation can be organised by placement officers for short-term relocation).
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability pending sufficient forward planning, engagement with the Disability Resource Centre and placement site feasibility. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Work Integrated Learning
Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to develop specialist skills related to the professional practice of nutrition and dietetics, and achieve competency in dietetic practice through extensive professional practice placements. Professional practice placements provide you with applied experience in clinical, community and food service settings to develop discipline specific knowledge.
You will also develop research, critical thinking and communication skills throughout the course. Please note, the course (and a career in dietetics) requires a high level of interpersonal communication skills. Students not possessing such skills may have difficulty in meeting professional course requirements and successfully completing their studies.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Applications for this course may close prior to the published closing date if all places are filled.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet all the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline (must have been completed within the last 10 years), including successful completion of the following units of study* in Human Biosciences and Food and Nutrition Science:
- at least 4 units of nutrition and food science study covering content relating to principles of nutrition, lifespan nutrition diet and disease and food science
- at least 2 units of Chemistry followed by at least 2 units of Biochemistry
- at least 2 units of Human Biology followed by at least 2 units of Human Physiology
*1 unit of study is equivalent to 1 Deakin credit point, and 0.25 EFTSL (Equivalent Full Time Study Load)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 7.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Non-academic requirements
Applicants are required to complete a Pre-requisite checklist to be uploaded with their application
Admissions information
Students who defer or intermit prior to commencing H718 - If there are changes to H718 entry criteria during your period of deferment or intermission, your eligibility to enrol into the H718 will need to be re-assessed.
From 2023 onwards, applicants are strongly advised to complete their undergraduate courses by the end of November of the year they are applying into this course.
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you’re able to commit to your study.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit www.deakin.edu.au/fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Applicants must complete a Pre-requisite checklist as part of their application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to the Graduate Certificate of Health Research Practice (H541)
Alternative exits
- Graduate Certificate of Nutrition for Health (H518)
Careers
Career outcomes
The prevalence of health issues such as obesity, diabetes, mental illness and malnutrition has increased the demand for qualified dietitians who can use food as a form of treatment and prevention. Jobs in nutrition and dietetics are projected to grow by 15.1% to May 2028*.
The skills you learn and practical experiences you’re exposed to will set you up to take advantage of this demand. You’ll be able to confidently enter all areas of dietetics, including:
- clinical (hospital) dietetics
- community nutrition
- private practice
- public health
- sports nutrition
- dietetic education and research
- food service
- public relations, marketing, communications and media
- health promotion and policy development.
You can find additional careers information about this course here.
*Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2028.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Master of Dietetics currently has full accreditation from Dietitians Australia. Students graduating from accredited courses are eligible to apply for full membership of Dietetitians Australia and the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) program and to work in all areas of dietetics.
All dietetics education programs in Australia are required to undergo an accreditation review process by Dietitians Australia every five years. Deakin is proud to offer the longest-running dietetics course in Victoria, having delivered a course in dietetics since 1977. Course accreditation has been maintained since the Dietitians Australia accreditation process commenced.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply advanced and integrated knowledge of the theory of human nutrition and dietetics and related practices in public health and food service, to support health-promoting food practices and provide nutrition care for individuals, communities and populations. |
| Communication | Communicate, adapt and translate information using a range of methods to reach a range of audiences including individuals, groups, communities, other professionals, stakeholders and partners. |
| Digital literacy | Critically select and ethically use digital technologies to locate, collect, evaluate, synthesise, translate and share information, including solutions to applied problems of human nutrition and dietetics. |
| Critical thinking | Collect and critically appraise relevant information to develop, implement, adapt and evaluate client-centred strategies that respond to the evidence in the broad landscape of dietetic practice, including clinical, food service, community and public health sectors. |
| Problem solving | Apply best practice, demonstrate initiative and respond effectively using an evidence-based framework to identify, research, analyse, generate and adapt solutions to a range of changing and complex nutrition and dietetic issues in the broad landscape of dietetic practice. |
| Self-management | Employ reflective practice, personal and professional responsibility, accountability, ethical practice and autonomy to demonstrate professional judgement, adaptability to new situations and responsibility as a practitioner and lifelong learner in the field of nutrition and dietetics. |
| Teamwork | Work with a range of peers, disciplines and stakeholders, to advance nutrition and dietetic science and practice, and improve individual, community and population outcomes. |
| Global citizenship | Participate in, implement and advocate for actions that promote the nutritional wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with respect and integrity. |