Diploma in Dietetic Education & Practical Training

Students in food lab talking to eachother

The Diploma in Dietetic Education & Practical Training is a one-year professional, post-graduate program for those with an honors degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from a university program accredited by Accreditation Canada in Canada (or the U.S. equivalent, an ACEND® – accredited program). 

The Diploma is accredited under Accreditation Canada and will prepare you to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam and if successful, become a dietitian in Canada. For more information on becoming a Registered Dietitian in Canada, please visit these websites: Accreditation Canada, Dietitians of Canada and College of Dietitians of Ontario.

This innovative program combines the rich learning experiences of academic courses with extensive hands-on practical training to prepare you for a potential career as a Registered Dietitian. 

Placements are located throughout Ontario or you can select Hamilton Health Sciences Centre or London Health Sciences Centre to complete a majority of your practical training. A description of LHSC’s Dietetic Practicum can be found on the LHSC’s Clinical Nutrition website.   

Program Structure

The DDEPT is an intensive full-time one-year program that begins annually in May. 

Students complete three intensive pre-placement courses online prior to starting 40 weeks of practicum.

The practicum involves hands-on experiential learning for 35-40 hours per week in a variety of dietetic practice settings (population health promotion, food provision and nutrition care). Students may indicate their preferred geographical region for the practicum during the application

There are 3 weeks of breaks for students: a fall week (scheduled individually) and a 2-week break at the end of December.

Semester 1 (May – August) Pre-placement courses and practicum weeks
Semester 2 (Sept – December) Practicum Weeks
Semester 3 (Jan – April) Practicum Weeks

Accredited Practicum

You will participate in shaping your practicum schedule through regular meetings with your Dietetic Education Coordinator, who ensures the placement schedule will meet dietetic competencies (which are required for professional registration). Through the practical training placements, you will develop competencies in the following areas:

  • Nutrition Care
  • Population & Public Health
  • Management
  • Research
  • Professional Practice
  • Communication & Collaboration

In this program, you will experience rich and dynamic practicum placements in settings such as community health centres, family health teams, food industry, hospitals, long-term care homes and public health units.

Courses

  • Dietetic Simulation and Regulatory, Legal & Ethical Issues in Dietetics: Foods and Nutrition 4901Y/4902Y   
    • Course Outline 4901/4902Y (coming soon)
  • Practice-Based Dietetic Research: Foods and Nutrition 4903Y  
    • Course Outline 4903Y (coming soon)
  • Practicum: Foods and Nutrition 4904Y
    • Course Outline 4904Y (coming soon)

 

Research

Based on interest areas, you will be matched with a Registered Dietitian for a practice-based project or with a Faculty Research Supervisor to contribute to ongoing research projects. You will contribute to improving dietetic practice, adding to the body of knowledge in dietetics, while also strengthening your research skills. 

You will have the opportunity to contribute research findings to the profession and strengthen your research skills. 

Tuition, Fees and Funding

Please note these fees are representative of the 2023 - 2024 year.
Fees are subject to change each year.  

  Summer Tuition Summer Ancillary Fees Placement Fees Fall/Winter Tuition Fall/Winter Ancillary Fees Total
Ontario Students $1,815.00 $55.95 $4,000.00 $6,050.00 $934.95 $12,855.90
Out-of-Province Students $2,000.70  $55.95 $4,000.00 $6,669.00 $934.95 $13,660.60
International Students $11,313.60
  $55.95 $4,000.00 $37,712.00 $934.95 $54,016.50

ID Card in the amount of $35.00 is billed to new students.
UHIP in the amount of $756.00 is billed to international students. 

Students are also advised to consider other costs such as accommodations/moving, food, parking, gas, car maintenance, immunizations, accident and liability insurance, phone, and professional attire.

Additional Funding:

OSAP: For more information about OSAP eligibility, visit OSAP: Ontario Student Assistance Program.

Western University's bursary information: https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/bursaries_workstudy.html