Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year

2023 course information

Award granted Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition
Course Map

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023.

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023.

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023.

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Campus

This course is only offered Online

OnlineYes
Duration

1 year part time, please refer to course structure below

Deakin course codeH511
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Get an introduction to advanced nutrition studies with the Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition. Develop an understanding of human nutrient requirements across the lifespan, including macro and micronutrients, and prepare yourself for further study at the postgraduate level.

Want to shape nutrition discussions with an informed voice?

A history of teaching and research excellence, world-class facilities, pioneering academics and a long list of industry partners make Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition one of the leading human nutrition courses in Australia. The course attracts high-achieving students from a broad range of sectors. It caters for those looking to turn their lifelong passion for nutrition into sustained career growth, as well as professionals from other areas of health who want to enhance the quality of their care with expertise in human nutrition.

To truly understand the connection between nutrition and health, you’ll draw on studies from a variety of related disciplines, such as food science, biochemistry, physiology, epidemiology, psychology, public health and politics. Combining this knowledge allows you to examine nutrition from different angles, which is particularly beneficial when providing advice to audiences from diverse backgrounds. Better still, everything you learn is evidence-based, giving you the confidence to combat the dissemination of nutrition misinformation.

There is growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health, and as a result there are increasing demands from the public for reliable, evidence-based and trustworthy information. In response, the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) has developed a ‘Register of Nutritionists’ to establish a list of appropriately qualified nutrition professionals.

As a graduate of this course, you may be eligible for registration as an ‘Associate Nutritionist’. Following three years of relevant work experience, Associate Nutritionists are able to apply for ‘Registered Nutritionist’ status. Registration with NSA does not authorise registrants to obtain provider numbers with Medicare or Private Health Insurers. Please refer to the NSA website for further information or queries about registration.

This course can also be used as a stepping stone into the Master of Human Nutrition, and includes three core units from the masters program plus an elective of your choice.

Indicative student workload

As a student in an online course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.

Professional recognition

There is growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health, and as a result there are increasing demands from the public for reliable, evidence-based and trustworthy information. In response, the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) has developed a ‘Register of Nutritionists’ to establish a list of appropriately qualified nutrition professionals.

As a graduate of this course, you may be eligible for registration as an ‘Associate Nutritionist’. Following three years of relevant work experience, Associate Nutritionists are able to apply for ‘Registered Nutritionist’ status. Registration with NSA does not authorise registrants to obtain provider numbers with Medicare or Private Health Insurers. Please refer to the NSA website for further information or queries about registration.

Career opportunities

As the prevalence of global health issues like obesity, malnutrition and mental illness grow, so too has the public’s interest in the relationship between nutrition and health. As a result, there are increasing demands for health professionals who can provide reliable, evidence-based nutrition advice. So much so that jobs in nutrition are expected to grow 17.6% by 2023*.

As a graduate of this course, you’ll be well-placed to progress your studies into the Master of Human Nutrition or enhance your existing role with nutrition expertise. Note, many nutrition roles may require an undergraduate degree in health or science or some further postgraduate studies to ensure a broader knowledge and skill base. 

Learn more about careers in nutrition

*Australian Jobs 2019, Department of Jobs and Small Business

Mandatory student checks

There are no mandatory student checks required for this course.

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to:

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Apply key principles, concepts and evidence-based knowledge of nutrition and health to nutrition related health problems.

Communication

Select and use appropriate modes of communication to obtain and share evidence based nutrition knowledge.   

Digital literacy

Select and use appropriate technologies to analyse and interpret nutrition information, and to share knowledge, skills and ideas.

Critical thinking

Analyse and synthesise information and problems in nutrition, to inform high level independent judgements.

Problem solving

Apply best practice and evidence to identify problems and generate practical solutions to a range of nutrition issues.

Self-management

Employ personal accountability and demonstrate effective work practices, responsible judgement, adaptability to new situations and responsibility as a nutritionist. 

Teamwork

Establish, contribute and maintain a key role in relationships with a range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes to advance nutrition sciences.

Global citizenship

Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates a high level of personal autonomy, within diverse contexts in nutrition sciences.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition students must attain 4 credit points comprising 3 1-credit-point core units (these are compulsory) and 1 credit point elective unit.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core units

Students must enrol in the online offerings of all units

Trimester 1

HAI010Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

HSN701Principles of Nutrition (also available in Trimester 3)

HSN749Biochemistry and Physiology for Human Nutrition

Trimester 2

HSN702Lifespan Nutrition

plus one elective

Elective units

Trimester 1

HSN703Diet and Lifestyle Diseases

HSN705Public Health Nutrition

HSN708Nutrition Promotion

HSN709Sports Nutrition

HSN713Food, Nutrition and Behaviour

Trimester 2

HSN706Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems

HSN715Understanding Human Nutrition Research Studies

HSN734Obesity Prevention

HSN735Essentials of Food Science

HSN746Nutritional Issues from Early Childhood to Adolescence

Trimester 3

HSN738International Nutrition

HSN743Nutrition for Healthy Ageing

Work experience

Work Integrated Learning principles are embedded within all units.


Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Other learning experiences

A 1 credit point elective unit “International Perspectives in Nutrition” which features a 2 week study tour is available to all students every second year.