About the Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Nutrition Communication

Whether we are creating nutrition communication campaigns and materials, counselling patients, communicating with the media, facilitating a community kitchen session, or answering peoples’ questions about food, dietitians and nutrition professionals are Canadians’ most credible source of nutrition information.  The School of Nutrition’s Master of Health Science (MHSc) program in Nutrition Communication provides opportunities for dietitians, future dietitians, and other nutrition professionals to develop the advanced communication skills needed to tailor nutrition education and counseling to meet the needs of a wide variety of audiences. Students in this full-time program start with two semesters of coursework to enhance their understanding of the principles and issues impacting nutrition communication and further develop their communication skills. Courses in nutritional epidemiology and nutrition and health behaviour help students enhance their critical thinking skills and interpret research findings. Courses in food policy, knowledge translation, and the social dimensions of nutrition communication engage students in understanding communication principles and translating scientific evidence for varied purposes and media. Students select one of these options for their final semester(s):

Option 1: Dietitians of Canada Accredited Practicum* This new option will be of interest to graduates of DC accredited undergraduate nutrition programs who wish to qualify to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam and if successful, become dietitians.  Four semesters of study. A limited number of practicums are available. *Subject to final approval by Dietitians of Canada

Option 2: Major Research Paper/Project will appeal to registered dietitians and applicants who want to pursue non-dietetic nutrition communication careers.  Three semesters of study.

Option 3: Course-only will meet the needs of applicants who wish to tailor their studies to pursue their unique areas of interest. Three semesters of study.

MHSc graduates will be qualified to provide patient nutritional care and counselling*, nutrition and health communications and promotion, knowledge translation, program planning and evaluation, and policy development in hospital and community based settings, community and public health organizations and government agencies, food industry, private sector health companies, and consulting firms for not-for-profit and non-governmental food and health charities and organizations.

*MHSc graduates who are dietitians, or who complete the accredited practicum option and subsequently become dietitians, will be qualified to work in dietetic practice settings.