Dietetic Practicum Program – FAQ

The DPP provides learners with exposure to Indigenous and Francophone culture, but it is not the entire focus of the program. Learners will complete self-paced courses on cultural safety. Where possible, and based on the learner’s interests, you may complete one 4–6-week placement focused on Indigenous OR Francophone health. The placement is designed for you to complete standard dietetic competencies in a cultural context and learn about the importance of health equity.

DPP learners complete the majority of their placements in one of three large urban cities: Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, or Sudbury. One to three placements are completed in smaller, rural communities.

Our graduates are competent, confident, and ready to practise in a variety of clinical, population health, and food provision areas in both urban and rural centres. While the majority of our graduates stay to work in Northern Ontario, other alumni work in Toronto, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Nunavut, and many other locations in Canada,  Our graduates work in clinical pediatrics, surgery, nephrology, community care, primary care, public health, and more, while several hold formal leadership roles such as directors or managers with major organizations.

The DPP is a 46 week certificate program. The program model minimizes the time spent in classroom and completing academic work where learners develop the practical and real-world skills of an entry-level Registered Dietitian that are needed for employment. A practicum program ending with a diploma is similar to the DPP in length and model of training.

An integrated Master’s practicum degree would include more academic and scholarly work and is typically a two-year program.

Neither a dietetic practicum diploma or Master’s degree is required to become a Registered Dietitian in Canada. As well, employers do not typically require a diploma or Master’s degree to practise as a Registered Dietitian. An exception is a Public Health Nutritionist, which requires a Master’s degree.

Although the United States ACEND standards now require a Master’s degree to become a Registered Dietitian, that is not currently a requirement in Canada. The Alliance of Canadian Dietetic Regulatory Bodies has not indicated that the profession of dietetics is proceeding with similar requirements. Even if such a change is made to the Canadian requirements, Registered Dietitians without a Master’s degree would be able to continue practising.

Learners completing rural placements in the region surrounding their principal site are required to travel to that community using their own vehicle. NOSM University provides mileage reimbursement for this travel as well as no cost housing for these rural placements. This is a unique service, which is not commonly available through other universities and dietetic practicum programs in Canada.

Learners placed in the principal sites of Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie are also required to travel to Sudbury twice during the program year for orientation and academic session. All travel expenses (flight, hotel, rental car, food) are covered by NOSM University.

The DPP team treats our learners as future colleagues. The Manager, Dietetic Practicum Lead, and Sault Ste. Marie Site Coordinator work together to provide ongoing guidance and support through regularly scheduled in-person or virtual meetings, phone calls, emails, and social activities. Our preceptors are also welcoming and helpful, forming the foundation of your first professional network that will support you during the program and into your career.

In addition to the program support, NOSM University offers a number of academic, personal and financial services through Learner Support Services including counselling, accommodations, and wellness. A Learner Affairs Officer is assigned to each of our principal sites and is accessible and responsive to learners’ needs. In addition, NOSM University learners have access to Homewood Health Services providing a robust array of counselling, coaching, and support services at no cost to learners.