Master of Applied Human Nutrition program takes important first step to accreditation

The Master of Applied Human Nutrition (MAHN) program at the University of Manitoba has recently received “Registered” status with Accreditation Canada/EQual.   This is an exciting first step for the acceptance of students into the program because it ensures a standard of quality for the MAHN program so that graduating students have the right to entry to practice as dietitians in Manitoba.

The MAHN program is a one-year, three-semester program consisting of graduate course work and competency-based practical experience.  This specialized program is for students who have completed an accredited dietetic undergraduate degree from a Canadian university within the last three years. The new Masters program is now the Manitoba pathway for students who wish to obtain the educational and practice-based training needed to become Registered Dietitians in Canada.

The MAHN program recently received full approval by the Province of Manitoba and final approval from the University of Manitoba, and the University is working to a September 2023 program start. With the “Registered” status for the MAHN program, the UM is now considering student applications for the MAHN program.   Fall 2023 admission has been limited to University of Manitoba graduates only, and a number of applicants are being evaluated for the available spots in the MAHN program.

As the knowledge and skills required of dietitians in today’s food and healthcare systems become increasingly demanding and complex, master’s level training is being introduced in many provinces and nationally in the US from 2024 onwards.  

“The knowledge and skills required of dietitians in today’s healthcare environment far exceed those required in the past. Peer‐reviewed research has shown that healthcare teams with dietitians have better healthcare outcomes than healthcare teams without. The launch of the MAHN program will ensure that entry-level dietitians in Manitoba have a comprehensive research-based understanding of the biological, social, and environmental factors shaping relationships between environmental health and human health that are mediated through diet”, said Martin Scanlon, Dean of UM Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.

The MAHN program ensures not only that entry-level proficiencies are part of the training of students, but also incorporates classroom and placement experiences that provide advanced knowledge in clinical nutrition, nutrition counseling and behaviour change. The program also focuses on the role of nutrition in population health, including student training to better support the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and communities.

(“Registered” status serves as an important demonstration of our commitment to providing quality education in alignment with accreditation and regulatory requirements. “Registered” status is not an accreditation status, nor does it guarantee any eventual accreditation. If you require additional information regarding our “Registered” accreditation status and endeavors and/or any potential implications this may have on your future abilities to practice as a healthcare professional, we encourage you to reach out to MAHNinfo@umanitoba.ca)

Read more about MAHN admission criteria and FAQs here.