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Admission & Program Requirements

Chair

Daphne Lordly, DEd (UniSA), MAHE (MSVU), PDt FDC, Professor

General Information

The Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition and the Master of Applied Human Nutrition programs will provide students with the opportunity for advanced level study in nutrition with an emphasis on issues related to community nutrition, food and human nutrition. The programs explore the theoretical foundations of nutrition through critical reflection on current research and practice within the discipline and drawing from other related disciplines.

Students seeking registration as a professional dietitian must apply for either the Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition or the Master of Science Applied Human Internship Education Program. To be considered for the Internship Education Program applicants must meet Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP) undergraduate competencies. Please consult the PDEP website for information about acceptable undergraduate programs: https://www.pdep.ca/accreditation/accredited-program-list.aspx

Students who are not seeking registration as a professional dietitian may apply for the Food and Nutrition Practicum Program during study in either the Master of Applied Human Nutrition or the Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition programs.

Admission Requirements

Students will normally have completed an undergraduate degree in nutrition, dietetics, foods or related fields, e.g. health sciences, kinesiology, biology, biochemistry, health promotion/education, and nursing. Students will normally have achieved a minimum of a B average (GPA 3.0). Credit in the following undergraduate courses will normally be required: applied statistics; biochemistry; physiology; sociology, psychology or communications; and 3000 or 4000 level human nutrition. Where there are deficiencies, additional undergraduate coursework (achieving a minimum grade of B) may be necessary in advance of graduate study.

The application package submitted for admission will include:

For Master of Applied Human Nutrition (MAHN):

Statement of Intent including career goals and how our program will facilitate achieving these goals
Two letters of reference (academic references)

For Master of Applied Human Nutrition (MAHN)with Internship:

Confirmation of completion of PDEP accredited undergraduate dietetic program
Statement of Intent including career goals and how our program will facilitate achieving these goals
Resume identifying significant postgraduate related work experience in nutrition, foods, foodservice and/or community service
Two letters of reference (one academic and one professional)

For Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition (MScAHN):

Statement of Intent including career goals and how our program will facilitate achieving these goals
A two-page research proposal including references*, or for applicants who have not yet identified a specific research plan, a two-page description of research interest(s) including references*
Two letters of reference (academic references)

For Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition (MScAHN) with Internship:
Statement of Intent including career goals and how our program will facilitate achieving these goals

Confirmation of completion of a PDEP accredited undergraduate dietetic program
A two-page research proposal including references*, or for applicants who have not yet identified a specific research plan, a two-page description of research interest(s) including references*
Statement of Intent including career goals and how our program will facilitate achieving these goals
A two-page research proposal including references*, or for applicants who have not yet identified a specific research plan, a two-page description of research interest(s) including references*
Two letters of reference (one academic and one professional reference

Completed application for MAHN and MScAHN with or without Internship should be submitted by January 31 of the year immediately preceding intended enrolment. Applications are considered by the Applied Human Nutrition Graduate Studies Committee, and additionally for those applying to the Internship, the Internship Selection Committee. Normally, there is no January admission to the program. We reserve the right to interview applicants before acceptance.

*The purpose of the two-page research proposal is to assess the research potential and writing skills of the applicants. Alternatively, applicants may submit a two-page description of their research interests including references. Due to the limited number of students that can be supervised by AHN faculty members, the applicants for MScAHN program are strongly advised to contact in advance and identify their potential thesis supervisor(s) in their Statement of Intent; however, those applications in which the supervisor is not identified will be considered as well.

Immunization Requirement
To be able to participate in courses, including internships, which have placements or labs in health facilities it is necessary to have a physician complete a health screening form that verifies your immunization for contagious diseases. There is a fee for the immunization and your health plan may cover all or part of this cost. Please contact the Department for more information.

Criminal Records Check
Students are advised that certain courses and the internship which have placements in health facilities and community organizations require a recent and currently valid Criminal Records Check including a Vulnerable Sector Search.

Master of Applied Human Nutrition

Program Requirements

The program will require completion of 5.0 units. Degree requirements may be completed on a part-time basis.

Required Courses

❏ 0.5 unit GAHN 6675

❏ 0.5 unit GAHN 6670

❏ 0.5 unit GFSG 6613

Elective Courses

❏ 1.0 unit selected from the following*:

0.5 unit GAHN 6600
0.5 unit GAHN 6602
0.5 unit GAHN 6607
0.5 unit GAHN 6609
0.5 unit GAHN 6616
0.5 unit GAHN 6617
0.5 unit GAHN 6620

*some courses may be offered in alternate years

❏ 1.5 units of GAHN electives
❏ 1.0 unit of graduate level electives

Note: Electives should be selected in consultation with the graduate studies advisor in accordance with the candidate’s chosen area of emphasis. Students may select courses listed under any Mount graduate programs (GAHN, GFSG, GCYS, GSLL, GEDU, etc.) or other university graduate programs. If selecting electives from other universities, students must obtain formal approval; see section 2.2.6 Letter of Permission (LOP).

All graduate students are expected to attend at least eight research seminars over the course of the program and submit their annual report by April 1.

Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition

Program Requirements

The program will require completion of 5.0 units, which includes 3.5 units plus thesis (1.5 units). Degree requirements may be completed on a part-time basis.

Required Courses

❏ 0.5 unit GAHN 6675

❏ 0.5 unit GAHN 6670

❏ 1.5 units GAHN 6691

❏ 0.5 unit GFSG 6613

Elective Courses

❏ 1.0 unit selected from the following*:

0.5 unit GAHN 6600
0.5 unit GAHN 6602
0.5 unit GAHN 6607
0.5 unit GAHN 6609
0.5 unit GAHN 6616
0.5 unit GAHN 6617
0.5 unit GAHN 6620

*some courses may be offered in alternate years

❏ 1.0 unit of graduate level electives

All graduate students are expected to attend at least eight research seminars over the course of the program and submit their annual report by April 1.

Internship Education Program

The Internship Education Program enables students to build on theoretical knowledge and internship experiences to fulfill the competencies required by PDEP to reach entry-level professional dietetic competence

To be eligible for the Internship Education Program, students must be graduates of a Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP) accredited undergraduate program. Students apply to the internship at the time they apply for admission to the graduate program. Applicants may be interviewed prior to admission.

Students will be required to engage in academic upgrading if it has been more than three years since they have completed course work in any of the knowledge areas (Food Service Administration/Management, Community Nutrition and/or Clinical Nutrition/Medical Nutrition Therapy. See the MSVU IEP Manual for more information.

Following successful completion of all MAHN or MScAHN program requirements and the internship education courses (NUTR 4501, 4502, and 4503), students will be eligible to write the national examination required by all provincial dietetic associations or colleges for registration as a professional dietitian. The Internship Education Program is completed as an addition to all graduate requirements; the internship education courses cannot be taken in place of elective courses. Interns must be prepared to relocate for their Internship and to accept little to no financial compensation.

Required Courses for MAHN or MScAHN listed above plus the following internship education courses:

❏ NUTR 4501 1.0 unit

❏ NUTR 4502 1.0 unit

❏ NUTR 4503 1.0 unit

There are three possible grades for internships:

P Pass. Students continue to the next internship course

NCR No credit repeat. Students must repeat the internship course and pass before continuing to the next course. Normally a student may receive only one NCR grade and remain in the program.

F Fail. A failing grade in an internship results in dismissal from the Integrated Internship Program (students may still complete the MScAHN).

Food and Nutrition Practicum

Students wishing to obtain the MAHN or MSCAHN with Food and Nutrition Practicum must make formal application through the Department chairperson by January 31 of the MAHN or MScAHN programs or after the completion of 2.0 units. This is a limited enrollment program with a competitive selection process. Students must be prepared to relocate for their practicum and to accept little to no financial compensation.

Students accepted into the MAHN or MScAHN with Internship Education Program are not eligible for the Food and Nutrition Practicum Program.

A MAHN or MScAHN with Food and Nutrition Practicum requires:

❏ fulfilment of the requirements of the 5.0 unit graduate degree

❏ plus the completion of NUTR 4500

❏ adhere to the Food and Nutrition Practicum – Terms and Conditions, including those for withdrawal and temporary withdrawal

There are three possible grades for the practicum:

P Pass.

NCR No credit repeat. Students must repeat the course and pass. Normally a student may receive only one NCR grade and remain in the Food and Nutrition Practicum program.

F Fail. A failing grade in a practicum results in dismissal from the Food and Nutrition Practicum (students may still complete the MAHN or MScAHN).

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2023-2024 academic year which runs from September 01, 2023 to August 31, 2024.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.