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Nutrition Communication (MHSc)

This first-of-its-kind program in Canada focuses on advanced communication and knowledge translation skills for interpreting scientific evidence and tailoring nutrition education and counselling for diverse audiences. Whether creating communication campaigns, counselling patients or engaging with the media, dietitians are Canadians’ most credible source of nutrition information. Our program will prepare you to apply the principles of adult education, accessibility, and universal instructional design in your everyday practice. Our flexible learning approach enables students to tailor their education to meet their professional development needs.

The Accredited Practicum option is a professional program that prepares future dietitians for success in traditional and evolving career paths.

The Major Research Paper/Project (MRP) option enables experienced dietitians to enhance their nutrition communication skills, add value to their current roles or gain the tools they need to embark on a new career.

Program at a Glance

Program Formats

Domestic Fees

Tuition fee details

*A cost recovery ancillary fee of $1,800 is payable for each of NC8301 and NC8302 to support the provision of practical training

Program Lengths

  • Option One: Four terms of full-time study.
  • Option Two: Three terms of full-time study.

Degree Earned

Master of Health Science in Nutrition Communication (MHSc)

Accreditation

The practicum option is accredited by Accreditation Canada’s EQual program (external link, opens in new window) 

Today’s dietitians need advanced nutrition communication knowledge and skills to flourish in a wide array of careers ranging from hospital- and community-based practice to industry, e-health and beyond.

Nutrition Communication graduates who are dietitians, or who complete the Accredited Practicum option and become dietitians, are qualified to:

  • Provide nutritional care and counselling for clients/patients.
  • Create, implement, and evaluate nutrition communication, knowledge translation and health promotion strategies tailored to meet the needs of varied audiences.
  • Create and implement nutrition communications that reflect best practices for adult education and accessibility across multiple platforms.

Our graduates find rewarding employment opportunities in:

  • Family health teams
  • Community health centres
  • Hospitals
  • Residential care
  • Long term care
  • Health technology companies
  • Community and public health organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Food industry
  • Private sector health companies
  • Consulting firms
  • Not-for-profit and non-governmental food and health charities and organizations

Every dietitian is a nutrition communicator. The Nutrition Communication program at Toronto Metropolitan University will challenge you to enhance your critical thinking, research interpretation, knowledge translation and communication skills. You will enhance your oral and written communication and counselling skills and use various media to translate knowledge to meet the needs of a wide variety of audiences.

Students in the Accredited Practicum option complete challenging, rewarding rotations in a variety of dietetic settings, and meet the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (external link, opens in new window) .

With the support and guidance of a faculty member, students in the MRP option pursue innovative projects relating to obesity prevention, diabetes management, food policy, food security, family relationships, nutrition among older adults and more.  

Our graduates lead knowledge translation and evidence-based practice in a variety of dietetic practice settings, improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Diverse learning opportunities enable you to gain the advanced skills and knowledge in nutrition communication that can only come from a master’s education.

You'll spend the first two terms learning in the classroom, then go on to fulfill either the practicum or MRP component.

In class, you'll examine nutritional epidemiology, nutrition and health behaviour, food policy, knowledge translation, and nutrition communication strategies — and develop the critical thinking skills needed to interpret and translate scientific evidence for a variety of purposes and media channels. You’ll develop a professional development plan, examine career development strategies, and engage with dietitians working in a wide array of practice settings.

Rewarding practice rotations support practicum students' ability to meet the competencies required for entry-level dietetic practice.

MRP students have the opportunity to direct their own learning, pursue a specific research interest and contribute evidence to the field.

You’ll graduate with the advanced skills, knowledge and judgment needed to:

  • Critically interpret and synthesize scientific research as the foundation of evidence-based communication and practice.
  • Create, deliver and evaluate multi-component knowledge translation products and communication campaigns using various channels (e.g., Internet, print) and vehicles (e.g., press releases, précis, presentations, videos, essays, scholarly writing, online and social media messages).
  • Create inclusive and accessible communications tailored to people’s needs.
  • Understand the roles of institutional and government policies in current food issues.
Option 1: Accredited Practicum Curriculum
Option 2: MRP Curriculum

We offer full-time enrolment for our practicum and MRP streams. Part-time enrolment is not available.

Both options involve two terms of coursework, followed by the practicum or MRP component:

  • Practicum students complete two full time practicum courses during their third and fourth terms of study.
  • MRP students complete their final project during their third term of study.

You'll take 4.5 courses in the first and second term. Courses will be scheduled during the day on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  During semesters 3 and 4 you will attend practicum rotations at external locations 35 to 40 hours each week.

In addition to attending classes, you can expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on course-related work, in addition to time spent completing assignments.

Option 1: Accredited Practicum Program Structure
Option 2: MRP Program Structure

To be considered for admission to Toronto Metropolitan University’s Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Nutrition Communication, you must meet the minimum program requirements.

More on Admissions

At Toronto Met, we recognize that pursuing graduate studies is a significant financial investment. There are a number of funding packages — both internal and external — available to graduate students.

Funding offer

If you are accepted into the program, you will be offered financial support through one of the following, based on eligibility:

Internal scholarship and awards

  • Formerly Ryerson Graduate Development Award: During term four, practicum students may receive this award when it is available. In the same term, they may also be eligible to apply for a limited number of $500 financial needs-based awards.
  • Marian Rosalie Good Award for Excellence in Knowledge Translation: This $1,000 award recognizes the academic achievement a student demonstrates for the final project in NC8209: Knowledge Translation.

External scholarship and awards

Financial aid

As scholarships and awards are awarded based on merit, students from Ontario who have financial need may consider applying for loans and grants through the Ontario Government Student Assistance Program (external link, opens in new window) .

The Yeates School of Graduate Studies also offers the Graduate Student Emergency Bursary. Please contact us for further information.

More Funding Opportunities

Tuition fees

Tuition is calculated on the basis of your program, not on the number of courses that you take per term.

Your tuition is a yearly charge, which is broken into three equivalent payments for the three terms in a graduate academic calendar.

Total fees include charges for tuition, athletics, RSU - Ryerson Students’ Union, RSU health and dental plans, and other related fees.

Additional practicum costs

Effective Sept 2020 a cost-recovery ancillary fee of $1,800 is payable for each of NC8301 and NC8302 to support the provision of practical training.

Other practicum related costs include:

  • Police vulnerable persons check fees
  • Mask fit test fees
  • Qualifying membership in Dietitians of Canada
  • Costs incurred in traveling to external rotation locations
More on Tuition Fees

Meet our Alumni