Master of Applied Nutrition
Become a Registered Dietitian in One Year
Want to make a difference in healthcare? Apply to the Master of Applied Nutrition (MAN) program and be ready for a career in nutrition and dietetics after three semesters of coursework and hands-on experience in the field.
The Master of Applied Nutrition combines advanced professional coursework and competency-based experiential learning. The program's foundation in critical appraisal and reflection will train you to be a lifelong learner with adaptable practice-based research skills. By graduation, you'll be able to apply your theoretical and technical knowledge of dietetics to work in a variety of settings.
MAN is a full-time only program for students who have completed an accredited dietetic undergraduate degree.
Earn your master's degree in just one year
The Master of Applied Nutrition program takes place over three semesters, from September to August. You'll complete your combined master's degree and practical training in just one year.
Get 30+ weeks of hands-on experience
As a MAN student, three to four days of your week will be in a placement with our community healthcare partners. Your hands-on experience in practica will add to your resume and boost your confidence.
Graduate ready to become a registered dietitian
When you graduate, you will be prepared to write the registration examination to become a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario, or the dietetic regulatory body in another province.
Life as a Master of Applied Nutrition Student
During your typical week as MAN student, you'll work 30-40 practicum hours from Tuesday to Friday.
Your hands-on training will expose you to the real-world application of three major areas of dietetics:
- Nutrition Care
- Food Provision
- Population Health Promotion
How many weeks you spend on each area of practice depends if you are in the Classic MAN Stream or the Waterloo Regional Health Network Stream of the program.
Classic MAN Stream
Most successful applicants to the MAN program will be admitted to the Classic MAN Stream. Students in this stream participate in three different practicum placements, each focusing on a major area of dietetics. Each placement is 40 days long, taking place over the course of 10 to 13 weeks, depending on how many days per week students attend their placement.
Students are placed with a healthcare partner in the local community or the wider GTA, such as:
- Guelph Community Health Centre
- Cambridge Memorial Hospital
- Maple Villa Long Term Care Centre
- Dufferin Area Family Health Team
- Diabetes Canada
Waterloo Regional Health Network Stream
Each year, four students are selected to complete the majority of their training through the Waterloo Regional Health Network, providing a more clinical focus than the Classic MAN Stream.
High-achieving applicants with a strong desire to work in a hospital are a good fit for the Waterloo Regional Health Network Stream (MAN-WRHN).
Students in this stream will complete 23 weeks focused in clinical care areas and will spend more overall time in practicum training than students in the Classic MAN Stream.
Note: Applicants to either stream of the MAN program must have access to a car for travelling to practicum placements.
Hear from the Master of Applied Nutrition Community
Whether she's working with university students or hospital patients, Jessica uses the skills she developed in the MAN program to provide nutritional counselling to diverse groups of people.
Since 2017, she has been working as a registered dietitian and wellness manager at Queen's University, where she helps students with unique nutritional requirements, which range from students with food sensitivities to those who follow vegetarian or vegan diets.
She works closely with campus chefs and hospitality staff to provide healthy meals for students that cater to their individual dietary needs.
"I am the go-to person for allergy management. I work with students to help them navigate what they can and can't eat to keep them safe."
Sheree knew that she wanted to become a registered dietitian at an early age and knew MAN was the right program for her because of its focus on experiential learning.
During Sheree's placement at the Tim Hortons head office, she learned about how fast food companies work with nutritionists to meet government food guidelines. She also completed a placement in a family health clinic, where she worked with patients with diabetes, hypertension, and weight issues.
"It was great working with dietitians to see how they interact with different clients, what their counselling style is like and how they convey information. It's a challenging but hugely rewarding program."
Finding a job after graduation didn't take long for Sarah. She was hired by Dalewood Health and Wellness in Toronto just two weeks after graduating from the MAN program.
As a registered dietitian, she conducts initial assessments with clients to learn about their health concerns and develop a nutrition program for them. The MAN program taught her how to assess and counsel clients by asking about their eating habits and other lifestyle factors.
The guidance Sarah received from her preceptors in the MAN program helped build the confidence she needed for her career. "You can tell that they're passionate about their job, and they just want to share that with you and make sure that you get the most out of it."
The MAN program helped Katherine explore her interest in type 2 diabetes prevention and management. As an undergrad, she worked at a diabetes clinic and learned how to manage diabetes through lifestyle changes.
Working with diabetes patients again in her placement solidified Katherine's interest in helping those with the disease.
After graduation, Katherine was hired as a registered dietitian by Loblaw Companies Limited, where she counsels patients with chronic health conditions. She also leads grocery store tours and classes that focus on healthy eating habits.
"Growing up, I always had an interest in health. I've always wanted to help people be healthier."
Careers After Graduation
The hands-on nature of the Master of Applied Nutrition program means you'll be well-prepared for your career as a registered dietitian when you graduate. MAN students graduate with the required competencies to take the national Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CDRE) to become registered dietitians.
Registered dietitians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community health centres, clinics, long-term care facilities, private practice, government, the food industry, and more.
During your practicum placements, you'll be learning and networking at the same time. Each year, about half of our students secure employment through their placements before graduation.
Applying to MAN
MAN Webinar
Interested in applying to the Master of Applied Nutrition?
Watch our webinar to learn more about the program and how to apply! We go over the application process, discuss what to expect in the program, and answer your questions!
Get in Touch
Questions about the Master of Applied Nutrition program? Contact:
Shauna Porter
Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
Email: man.grad@uoguelph.ca