MPH Community Nutrition - Advanced Standing Option

Program Description:

Demand for highly prepared nutritionists in communities across Canada to address complex public health issues such as obesity, chronic disease prevention and food security, requires the development of new interdisciplinary graduate education models.

The MPH Community Nutrition - Advanced Standing option provides graduate education to practicing registered dietitians, especially those living in northern and rural communities, who wish to enhance their understanding of public health theory and approaches. Completion of the MPH program requirements enables students to meet the academic requirements for practice as Public Health Nutritionists in Ontario.

Applicants interested in this option should indicate this in their letter of intent.

Learning Objectives:

Through the MPH Community Nutrition - Advanced Standing option, students will:

1. Experience enhanced access to graduate education in public health nutrition.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to public health nutrition practice and research.
3. Apply principles of population health and broad determinants of health to public health nutrition practice.
4. Apply critical thinking and analytical approaches in addressing public health nutrition issues.
5. Establish professional relationships with peers, faculty and public health leaders

Unique Features

Program structure
The MPH Community Nutrition - Advanced Standing option requires students to be on campus for one semester only (approximately 14 weeks), followed by participation in an innovative Summer Institute (see below), a worksite practicum and web-based course work. By minimizing the time required on campus, health professionals from across Canada, as well as from international locations, will have enhanced access to professionally relevant learning experiences. The combination of personal networking, distance education, interdisciplinary collaboration, enhances learning experiences, enables students to maintain employment while pursuing graduate studies, and builds much needed nutrition expertise in communities across Canada and internationally.

Summer Institute: Community Nutrition (NFS1211H)
This two week intensive course begins with skill development modules on adult education, program planning and evaluation and communication and concludes with student lead discussions on current “hot topics” in community nutrition practice. The summer institute provides not only degree students, but also nutrition professionals and other related disciplines with opportunities to learn from public health experts and local leaders through continuing education activities. Summer institute topics will be selected each academic year to reflect current trends and/or controversial issues in public health and community nutrition practice.

Integration with professional work
The MPH Community Nutrition - Advanced Standing option is designed to enable students to incorporate their professional work experience into learning activities so that both students and public health organizations benefit from the program. Students are encouraged to discuss the program with their employers in order to identify mutually beneficial project topics and practicum opportunities and to seek employer support during the course of their studies.

Additional Admission Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years relevant professional work experience
• Membership in a regulatory body of dietetics
• Click here for information regarding the application process.

Program Requirements: (5.0 FCE)

Required courses (4.0 FCE)

Elective courses (1.0 FCE)

A Note about the Practicum

The MPH Community Nutrition - Advanced Standing option practicum is intended to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of specific aspects of public health, develop new skills, and apply knowledge and skills acquired through the program course work. Students may complete 160 hours of specific project work at their places of employment or in other appropriate settings, by pursuing initiatives that challenge them to develop new expertise and insight.  If the scope of the project is beyond that which can be completed in 160 hours, students may complete an optional practicum for an additional 0.5 FCE.
Students will work closely with the program director to identify a suitable project.  Examples of appropriate projects include conducting a community assessment, evaluating a program or intervention, developing a new program or strategy, comparing two or more approaches to addressing a nutrition-related issue.  If necessary, another faculty member or field mentor with subject expertise will be assigned as a student advisor for the duration of the project.  Students are encouraged to discuss potential practicum projects with their employers in order to identify initiatives that will support the strategic directions and objectives of that organization. Students are required to provide the program director with a letter of support for the practicum project from the host organization.

Sample Schedule for 12 month program:

This timeline represents one possible approach. Students may extend the duration of studies according to their needs up to a maximum of five years.

Term 1: September to December on campus (2.5 FCE)

Term 2: Jan to April (1.0 FCE)

Term 3 : May to August (1.5 FCE)

If you have any questions or would like further information about this program, please contact Melanie Morris by email (melanie.morris@utoronto.ca) or by telephone (416-978-2345).