Master of Human Nutrition
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Human Nutrition |
| Course credit points | 12 |
| Deakin course code | H714 |
| Course version | 3 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2015 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master of Human Nutrition is typically 1 or 1.5 years duration.
Deakin courses can also be studied part-time over a longer period. Depending on which Project Option you choose, it may take longer to complete your course. |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027: Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Inclusive support for learning and participation
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Study the Master of Human Nutrition to develop advanced expertise in the relationship between nutrition and health. You will build the skills to translate evidence-based knowledge into practice, policy and research that supports improved population health outcomes.
Drawing on disciplines including food science, physiology, epidemiology and public health, you will develop a comprehensive and applied understanding of nutrition. This interdisciplinary approach enables you to evaluate complex nutrition challenges and deliver informed, evidence-based advice across diverse settings.
Backed by Deakin’s #1 ranking in Australia for nutrition science research, you can tailor your degree through elective study, research projects and practical learning experiences. Graduates of this course may be eligible to register as an associate nutritionist or to progress to a research degree such as a PhD.
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
Growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health is evident and, as a result, there are increasing demands from the public for reliable 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 Nutrition Society of Australia website for further information or queries about registration.
You can find additional careers information about this course here.
Career opportunities
As global health challenges such as obesity, malnutrition and mental illness continue to rise, so too does public interest in the vital connection between nutrition and health. This growing awareness has fuelled demand for qualified health professionals who can deliver reliable, evidence-based nutrition advice. In fact, jobs in nutrition are projected to increase by 16.6% over the next five years to 2030.*
At Deakin, you will be learning from experts at the forefront of the field. Be inspired by our leading nutrition science research, recently ranked number one in Australia.^ This excellence in research underpins the course content and ensures that you are gaining skills and insights informed by the latest evidence.
As a graduate of our Master of Human Nutrition, you will be equipped with the practical skills, knowledge and real-world experience required to meet rising industry demand. You will be ready to step into roles such as nutritionist, nutrition promotion officer or nutrition consultant, with opportunities across a variety of sectors, including:
- the food industry
- state and federal health departments
- non-government organisations focused on nutrition and public health
- news and media organisations
- education and community settings
- private business and consultancy.
Whether you are developing and delivering community nutrition programs or working on large-scale public health campaigns, you will be prepared to make a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
Learn more about careers in nutrition.
* 2025 Employment Projections – for the five years to 2030, Australian Government, Jobs and Skills Australia
^ The Australian’s 2025 Research Magazine
Inclusive support for learning and participation
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, you can contact our Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) team for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Participation requirements
Students are required to complete core units in Trimester 3 of the course.
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Mandatory student checks
Applicable only to students undertaking practicum unit as an elective. Not mandatory for all students.
Working with Children Check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the relevant state prior to undertaking a optional placement as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students if they enrol into an optional placement unit. Learn more about the Working with Children Check.
Police record check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for any optional placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students if they enrol into an optional placement unit.
Pathways
Students who wish to undertake a PhD in the future are recommended to complete units HSN715 Understanding Human Nutrition Research Studies, HSN719 Assessment Methods for Nutrition and Physical Activity Research, HSN750 Nutrition Research Project Part A and HSN751 Nutrition Research Project Part B.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition (H511) | |
| Graduate Diploma of Human Nutrition (H616) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply advanced and integrated knowledge of nutrition and health to nutrition related health problems. |
| Select and use appropriate modes of communication to obtain and share evidence based nutrition knowledge. |
| Select and use appropriate technologies to analyse and synthesise complex nutrition information and problems, and to interpret and share knowledge, skills and ideas. |
| Critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex information and problems in nutrition, to come to well-reasoned conclusions. |
| Apply best practice and evidence to identify problems and generate and evaluate practical solutions to complex nutrition issues. |
| Employ high level personal responsibility, accountability and autonomy to demonstrate expert judgement, adaptability to new situations, effective work practices, and responsibility as a nutritionist. |
| Establish, contribute and maintain a key role in relationships with a range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes to advance nutrition sciences. |
| 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 Master of Human Nutrition students must 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 12-credit point Master of Human Nutrition includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 6 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points which may comprise of:
- Research Based Project Option A
- HSN753 Research Practice in Human Nutrition (1 credit point)
- 3 credit points of course elective units
- 2 credit points of open elective units
- Research Based Project Option B
- HSN750 Nutrition Research Project Part A (2 credit points) and HSN751 Nutrition Research Project Part B (2 credit points)
- 2 credit points of course or open elective units.
- Research Based Project Option A
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Students who completed an undergraduate degree from a non-cognate undergraduate study area (e.g. Arts, Commerce, Business, any non-health/science study areas, etc) must complete either H511 Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition or H616 Graduate Diploma of Human Nutrition first before enrolling into H714 Master of Human Nutrition.
Students who completed an undergraduate degree from a cognate study area may be granted preclusions for the units they have completed in their undergraduate course.
Preclusions mean that you are not required to undertake the specific units within the Masters course but you will need to choose another HSN7xx electives instead.
For example: H315 Bachelor of Nutrition Sciences student has completed HSN211 Nutritional Physiology, they can be precluded from HSN701 Principles of Nutrition and they will need to choose another HSN7XX unit to replace HSN701.
Students must enrol in the online offerings of all units
Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HSN701 | Principles of Nutrition (also available in Trimester 3) |
| HSN749 | Biochemistry and Physiology for Human Nutrition |
Trimester 2
| HSN702 | Lifespan Nutrition |
| HSN715 | Understanding Human Nutrition Research Studies |
| HSN735 | Essentials of Food Science |
Trimester 3
| HSN719 | Assessment Methods for Nutrition and Physical Activity Research |
AND
Research Based Project Option A
Trimester 3
| HSN753 | Research Practice in Human Nutrition |
Students would need to complete an additional 5 elective units to complete the 12 credit points for the H714 Master of Human Nutrition.
OR
Research Based Project Option B
Trimester 1
| HSN750 | Nutrition Research Project Part A (2 credit points core unit) |
Trimester 2
| HSN751 | Nutrition Research Project Part B (2 credit points core unit) |
Students would need to complete an additional 2 elective units to complete the 12 credit points for the H714 Master of Human Nutrition
Electives
Trimester 1
| HSN703 | Diet and Lifestyle Diseases |
| HSN705 | Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN708 | Nutrition Promotion |
| HSN709 | Sports Nutrition |
| HSN713 | Food, Nutrition and Behaviour |
Trimester 2
| HSN706 | Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems |
| HSN714 | Systems Thinking in Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN734 | Obesity Prevention |
| HSN741 | Postgraduate Nutrition Practicum * |
| HSN746 | Nutritional Issues from Early Childhood to Adolescence |
Trimester 3
| HSN738 | International Nutrition |
| HSN743 | Nutrition for Healthy Ageing |
| HSN760 | International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition # |
* Practicum Unit
# Study Tour Unit
Students intending to use H714 Master of Human Nutrition as a PhD entry pathway must complete these units:
| HSN715 | Understanding Human Nutrition Research Studies |
| HSN719 | Assessment Methods for Nutrition and Physical Activity Research |
| HSN750 | Nutrition Research Project Part A |
| HSN751 | Nutrition Research Project Part B |
Work experience
Work Integrated Learning principles are embedded within all units. A Postgraduate Nutrition Practicum unit is also available for students to elect to undertake. Specifically designed Careers modules are available on the course specific site.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.
Research and research-related study
Option A includes research specific units - 1 credit point research related study and 1 credit point independent research as well as 1 credit point in nutrition assessment unit.
Option B includes – 1 credit point research related study, 1 credit point nutrition assessment unit and 4 credit points independent research project.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.