HNSC practicum course
Practicum in Human Nutritional Sciences
Updated for 2026-2027: HNSC 4366 Human Nutritional Sciences Practicum (6 cr) (course outline - coming soon)
This course involves supervised application of a variety of nutrition principles in a community setting, or food quality, safety, and management principles in a commercial or government setting.
Practicum sites and projects vary from year to year.
Some of the agencies/businesses we have partnered with and/or continue to partner with include:
- CanU
- Dairy Farmers of Manitoba
- Manitoba Council on Child Nutrition
- Manitoba Health
- National Aboriginal Diabetes Association
- North End Food Security Network
- St. James/Assiniboia Senior Centre
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA)
- Youville Centre
- Food Development Centre, Portage la Prairie
- Maple Leaf Foods
- Fresh Hemp Foods
- City Bread
- Granny’s Poultry
- Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI)
What is a Practicum in Human Nutritional Sciences?
This is a six-credit-hour course that runs from September to April. This course involves supervised application of a variety of nutrition principles in a community setting, or food quality, safety, communication, and management principles in a commercial or government setting. Through the opportunity to work in industry, the concepts learned in the classroom can be applied to practical problems and projects. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 180 hours at their placement, as well as completing assignments throughout the academic year. The course is available to students in their final year of studies before graduation.
The student will assume the role of a self-directed learner, demonstrating initiative, and responsibility for her/his own learning and professional development, under the direction of the practicum coordinator.
Who should take the HNSC 4366 practicum course?
The HNSC 4366 practicum course is designed for students in any degree stream within the Human Nutritional Sciences program who are interested in gaining hands-on experience in nutrition-related fields. The practicum coordinator works with students to secure placements that align with their learning goals, interests, and potential career paths within this diverse discipline.
This course is well suited for students exploring careers in areas such as community nutrition, food systems, health promotion, and the food industry.
Please note that dietetics is a regulated health profession. Students who intend to become Registered Dietitians, or who wish to gain experience in clinical or other settings where Registered Dietitians practice, must apply to an accredited dietetic practicum program. HNSC 4366 does not fulfill the requirements for dietetic training but instead provides general work experience in a broad range of nutrition and food-related settings.
How does the HNSC 4366 practicum course differ from a dietetic practicum program?
| What | HNSC 4366 practicum course | Accredited Dietetics Practicum Program |
| Who it's for | Students in any Human Nutritional Sciences degree stream | Students pursuing a career as a Registered Dietitian |
| Purpose | Explore career interests and gain general work experience in nutrition-related fields | Provide required professional training to become a Registered Dietitian |
| Type of experience | Broad, non-clinical placements (e.g., community nutrition, food industry, health promotion) | Structured, supervised practice in clinical, community, and foodservice dietetics |
| Career pathway | Builds transferable skills, strengthens your resume, and supports exploration of diverse nutrition careers | Required step toward becoming a Registered Dietitian |
| Application process | Apply; Enroll in course; placement arranged with practicum coordinator | Competitive application to an accredited program |
| Regulatory requirement | Not required for professional designation | Required for entry into the dietetics profession |
| Counts toward RD credential? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Focus | Skill-building, networking, and career exploration | Competency-based professional training |
Do students have a choice as to where they are placed?
Efforts will be made to match students with a practicum placement focus that has been requested on the submitted application form. However, placement sites vary each year and a best-fit will be employed to ensure all accepted students are assigned to a suitable placement to complete the course requirements.
What do past students report enjoying during their practicum placement?
- the opportunity for “hands-on” learning
- networking with professionals in the field of Human Nutritional Sciences
- opportunity to work directly with the public
- applying theory to real-life situations
- applying or developing skills including, interpersonal, communication, problem solving, educational program development, time management
- the opportunity to develop self-direction in their learning
- feeling that they have made a contribution to an organization or community-based, or government setting
- developing a sense of identity as a professional
Check out these examples of placements and projects that have been completed by past practicum students in the previous HNSC 4362 course.
If you have any questions, please contact fhnsdepartmenthead@umanitoba.ca.