Subject to CUAP approval
This qualification is subject to approval by the Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP).
Qualification Regulations
Part I
These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Part II
Admission
1. Admission to the Degree of Master of Nutrition and Dietetics requires that the candidate will:
(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified;
(b) have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Human Nutrition or a Bachelor of Health Science with a major in Human Nutrition, or an approved equivalent qualification; and
(c) have achieved at least a B grade average over the 300-level majoring courses of the qualification(s) considered for admission;
(d) meet Health Clearance and Police Vetting requirements as specified by the Academic Board or their delegate;
(e) meet all the requirements as defined by the New Zealand Dietitians Board for registration as an Entry-level Dietitian, in terms of good character and fitness to be a dietitian; and
(f) be selected into the programme based on a selection process which includes a written application and may include an interview and practical exercises as determined by the Academic Board or their delegate; and is conditional upon the availability of approved placements.
Qualification requirements
2. Candidates for the Degree of Master of Nutrition and Dietetics shall follow a parts-based programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 240 credits, comprising:
(a) Part One and Part Two as defined by the Schedule to the Degree; and including:
(b) attending Contact Workshops, block courses, field trips, workshops, tutorials, laboratories and placements as required.
Specialisations
3. The Degree of Master of Nutrition and Dietetics is awarded without specialisation.
Academic requirements
4. Every candidate for the Degree of Master of Nutrition and Dietetics shall complete to the satisfaction of Pro-Vice Chancellor (or delegate) a minimum of 800 hours of approved placements.
Student progression
5. Progression to Part Two of the Degree of Master of Nutrition and Dietetics requires that candidates will have achieved at least a B grade average over the Part One courses including at least a B grade for the research methods course; and subject to academic judgement regarding suitability and feasibility, including academic performance, research capability, and availability of supervision/placement.
6. Candidates in the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics must maintain their eligibility to apply for registration as an entry-level dietitian with the New Zealand Dietitians Board in terms of good character and fitness to be a dietitian, throughout the duration of their enrolment in the programme.
7. In cases of sufficient merit, the Degree of Master of Nutrition and Dietetics may be awarded with a class of Honours, or with Distinction or Merit, in accordance with the provisions specified in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Completion requirements
8. A candidate’s course of study shall not exceed five calendar years unless a specified time of suspension or extension is approved by the Academic Board and the New Zealand Dietitians Board. Permission must be sought in advance of any extension by applying in writing to the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics Programme Director. Suspensions or extensions granted will appear on the academic transcript.
9. Candidates may graduate when they meet the Admission, Qualification, and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes; candidates who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science without endorsement, or the Postgraduate Certificate in Science and Technology, should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.
Unsatisfactory academic progress
10. For candidates enrolled in the Degree of Master of Nutrition and Dietetics, the following will lead to exclusion from the qualification:
(a) failure to obtain a pass in any of the Nutrition and Dietetics courses for which they have been enrolled on two occasions;
(b) failure to pass courses totalling at least 75 academic credits or failure to pass at least 60% of an approved part-time programme of study in any academic year; or
(c) failure to complete the Degree within five years from the date of first enrolment;
(d) failure to meet the requirements for eligibility to apply for registration as an entry-level dietitian with the New Zealand Dietitians Board in terms of good character and fitness to be a dietitian, including the Code of Ethics & Conduct for Dietitians as prescribed by the Dietitians Board.
Candidates excluded under this regulation will only be readmitted to the Degree of Master of Nutrition and Dietetics with the approval of Academic Board or its delegate.
Schedule for the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Part One (Choose 120 credits from)
Course code: 151717 Selected Topics in Public Health Nutrition 15 credits
Public health nutrition is the promotion of good health through the prevention of nutrition-related illness in the population. This course will examine a selection of nutrition-related public health problems and describe how research-based evidence is used to develop effective promotion strategies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151741 Research Methods and Statistics for Nutrition 15 credits
Quantitative and qualitative research design, methods, approaches including statistical analysis in human nutrition and dietetics as applicable in a variety of groups and settings. Topics will include epidemiological and ethnographic approaches, assessment of food, nutrient and energy intakes, energy expenditure, body composition, biomarkers, eating habits, food behaviour, and dietary practices.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151743 Foodservice Management 15 credits
An introduction to the operational aspects of food service systems, principles of management and their application to food service to optimise nutrition, health and well-being. Students will develop practical skills within various food service systems as well as managerial skills to optimise service quality.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151744 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 15 credits
This course introduces the foundations of medical nutrition therapy, exploring the aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and nutritional implications of prevalent nutrition-related conditions. Students apply the Nutrition Care Process to undertake nutritional assessment and develop evidence-based, culturally safe interventions across diverse health settings.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151745 Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 15 credits
Building on Medical Nutrition Therapy 1, this course advances students’ skills and knowledge in medical nutrition therapy across Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse clinical and cultural contexts. Students extend their understanding of disease aetiology, pathophysiology and nutritional implications, and apply the Nutrition Care Process and its terminology to more complex assessment and intervention planning. The course emphasises evidence-based, interprofessional and culturally safe nutrition interventions to support the well-being of individuals, whānau and populations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151746 Communications in Dietetic Practice 15 credits
This course introduces the theory and practice of communication approaches and strategies in the professional work environment, emphasising successful and culturally safe communication in a range of contexts including individual counselling, small group education, community consultation, within a management or media perspective, and presentation to any audience. Communication management and learning theory and skills will be examined and applied through practical examples and assessment tasks.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151747 Professional Practice in Dietetics 30 credits
Through lectures, workshops, self-directed learning and supervised placements, students develop core dietetic competencies, including communication, professional practice, and prescribing skills. Students are expected to demonstrate cultural safety and uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all practice settings.
View full course detailsPart Two (Choose 120 credits from)
Course code: 151751 Professional Practice in Foodservice Management 15 credits
Through supervised professional dietetic practice in foodservice management, students develop practical experience in settings such as hospitals and aged care facilities, in line with accrediting body requirements.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151752 Professional Practice in Medical Nutrition Therapy Integration 15 credits
Through supervised professional dietetic practice, students apply medical nutrition theory in clinical settings and develop competency in medical nutrition therapy using the nutrition care process.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151753 Professional Practice in Medical Nutrition Therapy Consolidation 15 credits
Through supervised professional practice in medical nutrition therapy, students develop practical skills and competencies across a range of increasingly complex clinical conditions and achieve safe, entry-level dietetic practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151754 Professional Practice in Public Health Nutrition 15 credits
Through supervised professional practice in public health nutrition, students develop skills and competencies across community, industry and public health settings in line with accreditation requirements.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151855 Research Report in Nutrition and Dietetics 60 credits
An independent, supervised research project in which students plan, conduct, analyse, and report their research, demonstrating ethical and professional practice.
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