Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that you may have some
questions about the program, costs and funding, and the application procedure.
If you don’t find answers to your questions here, contact us by phone or email.
The Program
What is the difference between the MAHN and the MSc AHN?
The MAHN
is an applied graduate course that requires you to complete ten graduate
courses. If you
want to pursue a career in dietetics or nutrition, this program is ideal for
you.
The MSc
AHN is a research-intensive, thesis-based graduate course that requires you to
complete seven graduate
courses and a
thesis.
If you
would like to become a registered dietitian, you will need to complete the MSc
AHN and the Internship Education Program.
In the
MSc AHN program, you will research and write a thesis under the guidance of a
faculty supervisor. When you are applying to this program, you should consider
the academic interests of current faculty when choosing a thesis topic.
Visit the
faculty
profile pages to learn
about the academic interests of faculty members.
How long does the program take to complete?
Completion
times vary. Depending on the course availability, and whether you want to study
full-time or part-time, you can finish the MAHN in as little as one year, and
the MSC AHN in as little as two years.
Part-time
students have up to five years to complete the program requirements.
Do you offer flexible learning options?
Yes! Many
of our students work full- or part-time, have families, and other personal and
professional commitments. We offer a variety of learning options, including full-
or part-time enrolment and evening classes.
If I have an interest in pursuing the MSc AHN, how do I find information
about the research backgrounds of potential supervisors?
Visit the
faculty
profile pages to learn
about the academic interests of faculty members. These pages describe our
faculty’s research interests, publications, and academic and professional
backgrounds.
What careers will a Master’s degree in Applied Human Nutrition prepare
me for?
MAHN
and MSc AHN graduates are employed in a wide range of fields relating to
nutrition and dietetics. Our graduates work as registered dietitians and
nutritionists, in Dietitians of Canada Match positions, as researchers,
professors, and instructors, and in public health positions.
What is the expected workload?
Graduate
students should come prepared to do a greater amount of reading and independent
study, compared to undergraduate students. Classes normally meet once a
week in a three-hour seminar format where students analyze and discuss assigned
readings. Graduate students are expected to go beyond the assigned readings
to broaden their knowledge.
Money Matters
Do you offer any scholarships, awards or financial aid?
MAHN and
MSc AHN students are eligible for several internal and external scholarships
vetted by the Mount’s Office of Graduate Studies. Visit the Office of
Graduate Studies’ Research
and Funding page for
more information on scholarships, bursaries, assistantships, and other funding
opportunities.
Applicants
will automatically be considered for entrance scholarships. We also encourage
all applicants to apply for external awards, including Canada
Graduate Scholarships.
What are the program costs?
Consult
the Graduate
Academic Calendar for a full and up-to-date listing of tuition and fees. For an estimate
of these costs, visit the Office of Graduate Studies’ Program
Costs page.
Applying to the Program
How do I apply?
First,
complete the Graduate
Online Application form. This page contains instructions on how to
complete the form, and how to pay the application fee.
Next,
download the Graduate
Supplementary Application package. This package will contain information on
obtaining two letters of reference and submitting a Statement of Intent.
Do both my references have to be academic references?
Applicants
with work experience in the field who have been away from the classroom for
some time may use one academic reference and one professional reference.
How should I instruct my referees?
You
should provide you referees with the reference form contained in the Graduate
Supplementary Application package. You should request that your
referees provide us with specific examples of your abilities, knowledge,
professional experience and motivation for advanced study in Applied Human
Nutrition. We encourage referees to attach a more detailed letter of
reference to the reference form.
Get more advice on instructing your referees »
Do I need the GMAT?
No, a
GMAT score is not required.
What is the application deadline?
The
deadline changes from year to year but is usually around the end of January.
Please consult the Graduate
Academic Calendar for the year you are applying. You can also find deadline information
on the Graduate
Online Application page.
What if I missed the application deadline?
While all
candidates who apply by the deadline are guaranteed consideration, we continue
to review applications until the program is full.
May I transfer credits to obtain advanced standing?
If you
have completed graduate curses before applying to the program, your file will
be assessed on an individual basis to determine which courses might be applied
to this degree.
Who makes the admission decision?
The Admissions
Office will
ensure that your file is complete. Complete files are then forwarded to
the departmental graduate studies committee, which makes the final
decision.
If you
have applied to the MSc program and we are unable to offer you a position, you
will then be considered for the MAHN program.
I still have questions. How can I get in touch with you?
If
you have questions about our graduate programs, the admissions process, the
campus, or life in Halifax, call or email us—we’d love to hear from you.
Department
of Applied Human Nutrition
Dr. Bohdan Luhovyy
Graduate Program Coordinator
msvu.ca
Shannon Fisher
Administrative Assistant
msvu.ca
Mailing address:
Mount Saint Vincent University
Department of Applied Human Nutrition
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
B3M 2J6