Undertake advanced studies in nutrition and dietetics, the pathophysiology of nutrition-related illnesses, health promotion, communication skills, and clinical, food service and community and public health nutrition skills. The course aims to train dietitians who are able to integrate and apply their knowledge, skills and attributes to the promotion of health and the prevention and treatment of illness by optimising the nutrition of communities and individuals.

Graduates are able to use scientific principles and critical thinking skills to consider the wider environment affecting food supply and eating behaviours and to evaluate new developments in this rapidly evolving area.

The course is offered by Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences and is founded on practices designed to encourage lifelong learning in the practice of nutrition and dietetics. A wide variety of teaching and learning strategies are employed, including lectures, tutorials, field placements, site visits, food practicals and student seminars and presentations.

A variety of assessment methods is used, including peer and self-assessment and competency-based assessment of field placements. Particular emphasis is given to the provision of practice-focused learning strategies (eg. case studies, role-plays, simulated counselling and group sessions).

Consistent with the postgraduate level of the course, cooperative and self-directed learning will be encouraged and you will have the opportunity to negotiate sections of curriculum learning strategies and assessment in some topics.

There are currently more than 5,000 practising dietitians in Australia. About half provide patient care and education in hospitals while the remainder work in areas as diverse as community health, public health, food service management, sports nutrition, the food industry, health service management, education and research. Dietitians are also employed by aid organisations and government departments.

Potential occupations include:

• clinical dietitian
• community health worker
• nutritionist
• health promotion officer
• research project officer.

Potential employers include:

• hospitals
• community health centres
• private practice and consultancy
• food industries
• research institutions.

Professional accreditation/recognition

The course is accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia. It is also recognised in UK, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand. Eligibility for DAA membership is required by most public-sector employers and for obtaining a health insurance provider number.