Master of Dietetic Practice – additional information

Applications for this course open in August and close in November.

The course commences mid-January 2024.

You must submit your application and all supporting documentation before the closing date. If you have not competed your studies by the closing date, upload your most recent academic transcript to be assessed.

Offers to the Master of Dietetic Practice will be issued in November. If successful, you will need finalise your enrolment for Professional Term 2 2024 within 14 days of the date of your offer.

The following information is to assist you in submitting your application.

Selection

ACU aims to enrol students to the Master of Dietetic Practice from diverse backgrounds across the Australian and international community, who bring a concern for justice and equity to their approach to dietetic practice. Places in the Master of Dietetic Practice are competitive will be allocated based on assessment of academic performance, suitability for study in dietetic practice, and ACU's commitment to equity and diversity.

Personal video statement

You must submit a personal video statement that should aim to demonstrate:

1. Lifelong learning which is a fundamental value of the dietetics profession including explanations of careers goals a pre-existing interest in the dietetics profession.
2. Key skills, knowledge & attributes relevant to successful participation and completion of the MDP course.
3. Professional communication with language at an appropriate level.

Your personal video statement should include answers to the following questions (maximum three minutes total):

1. Why do you want to study the Master of Dietetic Practice at ACU? What are the most important skills and knowledge you developed during your undergraduate studies to allow you to succeed in studying the MDP at ACU?
2. What experience and skills do you have related to study the MDP at ACU? Have you completed any additional study that would support your study or practice as a dietitian?
3. Do you have any study/work/life experiences with people who are different to you? Do you have any relevant work experience that has developed your people and communication skills?
4. In what area of dietetics would you like to work and why? What do you believe are the greatest food and nutrition challenges that you would like to tackle in your career as a dietitian?

Submit a word document that contains a weblink (URL) and password (if any) to your personal video statement via the ACU applicant portal. It is suggested that uploading of your video statement occurs on YouTube, but you may use any other video hosting platform if you prefer as long as a login is not required.

Did you complete the Bachelor of Nutrition Science at ACU?

If you completed the Bachelor of Nutrition Science at ACU, you do not need to provide a copy of your transcript as we can access your student record.

Your application will be assessed under the following criteria as you will not have had an opportunity to complete NUTR404 Advanced Culinary Nutrition Science and NUTR405 Foods for Special Diets (available from 2022 onwards):

A bachelor degree in nutrition (or equivalent) which includes the equivalent of one full-time half year of study (four study units or equivalent) in:

1. chemistry followed by biochemistry; and
2. human biology and human physiology; and
3. food and human nutrition science, which must include foundation nutrition, nutrition through the lifespan, food science, and the role of diet in the development and management of chronic disease

AND one of the following:

• a grade point average (GPA) of at least 5 on the ACU 7-point scale; or
• evidence of relevant industry experience for at least one-year post-bachelor graduation.

Industry experience

In addition to your academic qualifications, if your bachelor GPA is less than 5 you must submit details outlining relevant industry experience.

ACU are looking for at least one year of industry experience POST completion of your bachelor's degree in the following professional roles (the list is not exhaustive and is provided as a guide only):

• nutrition scientist
• food scientist
• food product developer
• allied health assistant
• health promotion officer
• research assistant (within the health sciences)
• project officer (food, nutrition, or health related).

Industry experience gained from practicum placements during your studies will not be accepted.

Submit specific details of relevant post-graduation work experience in your application.

Diversity

In keeping with ACU's commitment to supporting enrolments from diverse backgrounds you may choose to identify as any of the following groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• first or second-generation migrant
• lower socioeconomic status
• male
• over 40 years of age
• religious minority
• studying with a disability.

Applicants from these backgrounds should provide brief information within the application form. If you are offered a place in the course, you will be required to provide evidence of diversity where applicable.