The Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition offers MSc and PhD level graduate study in three fields:

1. Applied Human Nutrition
2. Family Relations and Human Development
3. Critical Family and Kinship Studies

• Applied Human Nutrition (MSc, PhD) This field incorporates both physiological and behavioural aspects of human nutrition and spans all age groups in its focus on the role of nutrition in human health and well-being. Faculty have specific interests in clinical and community nutrition, physical activity, nutrition assessment, education, health services research, inter-professional practice and epidemiology. This field of study provides a strong foundation in research and nutrition methodology through required courses and thesis work.
• Family Relations and Human Development (MSc, PhD) This field of study emphasizes a balance between theory, empirical research and practice in graduate training. Students have many options for building an individualized program of study combining coursework and thesis research. Building on core theory and methodology courses, students choose from professional and applied courses as well as courses on specialized topics. The area of study has particular strengths in the following areas: child and adolescent development, parent-child and family relations, human sexuality, culture, adult development and gerontology, well-being, evidence-based practice, and social policy.
• Critical Family and Kinship Studies (MSc) This field of study emphasizes critical approaches to understanding family and kinship across the lifespan. Students have the opportunity to focus their research interests and build an individualized program of study through interdisciplinary coursework and thesis research that aims to challenge dominant discourses of family through critical, poststructural, and decolonized approaches. This area of specialization has particular strengths in the following areas: critical race and disability studies, queer theories, Indigenous family well-being, social constructionism and human-animal relationships.

An accredited Master of Applied Nutrition (MAN) professional degree program is also offered. Current and prospective graduate students are also directed to the department website. The inter-disciplinary faculty in the department have expertise in psychology, sociology, sexuality, adult development, education, social work, culture, family therapy, nutrition and physical activity. The overarching theme of the work in the department is enhancing lives through science and practice. The faculty share a common interest in expanding and applying knowledge about family relations and human development, especially in relation to the social, emotional, psychological, nutritional, and economic well-being of families across the life cycle. Graduate programs with an emphasis on nutrition and metabolism are available in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences; those with an emphasis on animal nutrition are available in the Department of Animal Biosciences.

Administrative Staff

Chair
Tricia van Rhijn (245 MINS, Ext. 52412)
tricia.vanrhijn@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Scott Maitland (225 MINS, Ext. 56156)
fran.gpc@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Urvikumari Patel (MINS 151) 
fran.graduate@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MAN Program

The Master of Applied Nutrition program comprises one year (3 semesters) of graduate course work and competency-based practica. The program is designed to meet the professional practice requirements for becoming a registered dietitian and to foster practice-based research skills development.

Students take graduate courses in three broad areas of competency required for practice: foodservice management, clinical and community nutrition. These courses focus on the latest research in these fields and provide strong theoretical underpinnings for professional practice. Students increase their knowledge of the field while enhancing their skills in three areas: the research process, critical appraisal and communication. Assignments in the courses apply theories to practice in real-life situations.

This dietetic education program is accredited under the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP) and prepares students for eligibility for registration with a provincial dietetics regulatory body. Completion of the PDEP integrative competencies qualify a graduate to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE).

The course work and practicum options permit the pursuit of interests within the various areas of dietetic practice, while meeting the required entry-level dietetic competencies. Students are charged a practicum fee for each semester of the program, in addition to the University academic and non-academic fees.

Admission Requirements

Students applying to the Master of Applied Nutrition program must have an honours degree within the previous three years from a dietetic program accredited by PDEP. Applicants should have a minimum average of at least 75% in the last two years of their undergraduate program. Credit in the following courses is required prior to beginning the program:

1. a one-semester course in applied statistics (minimum grade of 75%) and
2. a one-semester course in research methods (minimum grade of 75%).

These requirements may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by April 30.

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of Applied Human Nutrition (AHN) graduate faculty and staff and affiliated placement staff. An interview committee will meet with the most qualified applicants, rank the candidates and forward recommendations for admission to the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies. Program offices should be consulted for admission deadlines.

Program Requirements

For all students in the MAN program, a minimum of 6.5 graduate credits are required, including the following required courses:

Graduates who have completed all required competencies successfully can apply to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) and apply for membership in the College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO).

MSc Program

Admission Requirements

The Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition offers an MSc graduate program in three fields:

1. Applied Human Nutrition;
2. Family Relations and Human Development; and
3. Critical Family and Kinship Studies.

General admission requirements for these fields of study include an honours degree or equivalent with an average at least 75% in the last two years of study (or 20 credits).

Applied Human Nutrition

Admission requirements for the MSc program in the field of Applied Human Nutrition are most easily satisfied by applicants with honours degrees in human nutrition, and food and nutrition. Applicants with degrees in related fields (e.g., nutritional sciences, psychology, kinesiology, food science) may be considered with suitable make-up work in core areas. Credit in the following undergraduate courses is required by all entering students:

1. a one-semester course in applied statistics (minimum grade of 75%) and
2. a one-semester course in research methods (minimum grade of 75%).

MSc AHN students must also have taken prior to beginning the MSc program or will take during the MSc program, undergraduate and/or graduate courses needed to meet foundational knowledge in applied human nutrition. These courses may include, but are not limited to: introductory to human nutrition, human physiology, psychology, communications/counselling, and human development/sociology. These requirements may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by April 30. Program offices should be consulted for admission deadlines.

Family Relations and Human Development

Admission requirements for the MSc program in the field of Family Relations and Human Development can be satisfied by applicants with an honours degree or equivalent, in a related field. Credit in the following undergraduate courses is required of all entering students:

1. a one-semester course in applied statistics (minimum grade of 75%) and
2. a one-semester course in social-science research methods (minimum grade of 75%).

These requirements may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by April 30. Program offices should be consulted for admission deadlines.

Critical Family and Kinship Studies

Admission requirements for the MSc program in the field of Critical Family and Kinship Studies can be satisfied by applicants with an honours degree or equivalent, in a related field. Credit in the following undergraduate courses is required of all entering students:

1. a one-semester course in social-science research methods (minimum grade of 75%).

These requirements may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by April 30. Program offices should be consulted for admission deadlines.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of their program, MSc in Family Relations and Applied Nutrition students will:

1. Advanced Critical Thinking and Research Skills: demonstrate advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills by conceptualizing and executing a research project. 
2. Advanced Research Literacy: demonstrate advanced research literacy and skills through training in research methods, researching and writing a comprehensive literature review as part of their research proposal, and conceptualizing and executing a research project. 
3. Communication Skills: apply principles of knowledge translation and transfer to communicate information accurately and appropriately to various audiences. Audiences may include, but are not limited to: peers, researchers, the public, and community and/or industry partners and stakeholders. Students will demonstrate oral communication skills by creating logically structured oral presentations of appropriate breadth and depth; creating effective audiovisual materials, facilitating audience understanding of content; and doing so in an engaging manner. Students will demonstrate written communication skills by creating logically structured and comprehensive documents of appropriate breadth and depth, in which thoughts and arguments flow, are supported by evidence, and are appropriate for the target audience. Students will demonstrate visual communication skills by analyzing and presenting data in graphs, figures, or charts; and creating and utilizing audiovisual materials appropriate for the topic and audiences. 
4. Professional and Ethical Behaviour: reliably engage in behaviour and skills consistent with academic integrity and professional and social responsibility. Students are expected to achieve this through the practice of, and critical reflection on, personal and professional skills and behaviours related to autonomy, leadership, organization, team work, and time management.
5. Interdisciplinarity Respect: be able to identify, integrate, and use knowledge from different disciplines and research orientations to engage in the active process of knowledge construction and be able to analyze their own emerging position as researchers. 
6. Specialized Knowledge: demonstrate depth of knowledge in an area of concentration within Applied Human Nutrition or Family Relationships and Human Development. 

Program Requirements

Applied Human Nutrition

For all students in the MSc program in the field of Applied Human Nutrition, a minimum of 2.25 graduate credits will be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor and advisory committee.

Core courses include:

Students must complete one additional [0.50] nutrition-related, graduate elective course such as FRAN*6610 Advances in Clinical Nutrition, FRAN*6510 Nutrition in the Community, FRAN*6560 Topics in Applied Human Nutrition or another nutrition-related graduate level elective course related to their program of study. It can be taken with Family Relations and Applied Nutrition or in other academic units of the university. Students who enter the MSc-AHN program from a non-nutrition undergraduate program will also be required to take those undergraduate and/or graduate courses necessary to meet foundational knowledge in applied human nutrition. These program requirements are minimum expectations. In consultation with the student’s advisor and advisory committee, additional course(s) may be included in the student’s plan of study to meet specific learning needs.

In addition, students must complete a research thesis.

Family Relations and Human Development

For all students in the MSc program in the field of Family Relations and Human Development, a total of 2.25 credits will be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor and advisory committee.

Core courses include:

These program requirements are minimum expectations. In consultation with the student’s advisor and advisory committee, additional course(s) may be included in the student’s plan of study to meet specific learning needs. In addition, students must complete a research thesis.

Critical Family and Kinship Studies

For all students in the MSc program in the field of Critical Family and Kinship Studies, a total of 2.25 credits will be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor and advisory committee.

Core courses include:

These program requirements are minimum expectations. In consultation with the student’s advisor and advisory committee, additional course(s) may be included in the student’s plan of study to meet specific learning needs. In addition, students must complete a research thesis.

PhD Program

The Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition offers a PhD graduate program in two fields:

1. Applied Human Nutrition; and
2. Family Relations and Human Development.

The PhD program in the field of Applied Human Nutrition is a course of study with a strong research focus involving biological, epidemiological and/or social-science perspectives, typically completed within four years (12 semesters). Each student works closely with an advisory committee in developing an individualized program of study that provides depth and addresses the student's specific research and professional goals.

The PhD program in the field of Family Relations and Human Development is a course of study with a strong research focus, typically completed within four years (12 semesters). Each student works closely with an advisory committee to develop an individualized course of study that provides depth and addresses the student's specific research and professional goals. Building on core theory and methodology courses, students choose from professional and applied courses as well as courses on specialized topics. The PhD in FRHD has particular strengths in the following areas: child and adolescent development, parent-child and family relations, human sexuality, culture and acculturation, adult development and gerontology, evidence-based practice, well-being, and social policy.

Note: Students enrolled in the MSc program in the fields of Applied Human Nutrition or Family Relations and Human Development are not automatically considered for the respective PhD program; a formal application is required for those wishing admission. All applications are evaluated with reference to academic, research, and professional experience with particular emphasis on research background and potential.

Admission Requirements

Applied Human Nutrition

Students applying to the PhD program in the field of Applied Human Nutrition should have an MSc degree (or in progress) in human nutrition or a related field. Credit in the following courses is required prior to beginning the program:

1. a one-semester course in applied statistics (minimum grade of 75%) and
2. a one-semester course in research methods (minimum grade of 75%)

PhD-AHN students must also have taken prior to beginning the PhD program or will take during the PhD program, undergraduate and/or graduate courses needed to meet foundational knowledge in applied human nutrition. These courses may include, but are not limited to: introductory human nutrition, human physiology, psychology, communications/counselling, and human development/ sociology. A master's thesis is normally required for admission. These requirements may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by April 30.

Family Relations and Human Development

Students applying to the PhD program in the field of Family Relations and Human Development should have an MSc degree (or in progress) in Family Relations and Human Development or a closely related degree program (e.g., human development, gerontology, psychology, sociology, couple and family therapy, social work). Credit in the following courses is required prior to beginning the program:

1. a one-semester course in applied statistics (minimum grade of 75%) and,
2. a one-semester course in research methods (minimum grade of 75%).

A master's thesis is normally required for admission. These requirements may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by April 30.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of their program, PhD in Family Relations and Applied Nutrition students will:

1. Advanced Critical Thinking and Research Skills: demonstrate advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills by conceptualizing and executing a research project.
2. Advanced Research Literacy: demonstrate advanced research literacy and skills through training in research methods, researching and writing a comprehensive literature review as part of their research proposal, and conceptualizing and executing a research project.
3. Communication Skills: apply principles of knowledge translation and transfer to communicate information accurately and appropriately to various audiences. Audiences may include, but are not limited to: peers, researchers, the public, and community and/or industry partners and stakeholders. Students will demonstrate oral communication skills by creating logically structured oral presentations of appropriate breadth and depth; creating effective audiovisual materials, facilitating audience understanding of content; and doing so in an engaging manner. Students will demonstrate written communication skills by creating logically structured and comprehensive documents of appropriate breadth and depth, in which thoughts and arguments flow, are supported by evidence, and are appropriate for the target audience. Students will demonstrate visual communication skills by analyzing and presenting data in graphs, figures, or charts; and creating and utilizing audiovisual materials appropriate for the topic and audiences. 
4. Professional and Ethical Behaviour: reliably engage in behaviour and skills consistent with academic integrity and professional and social responsibility. Students are expected to achieve this through the practice of, and critical reflection on, personal and professional skills and behaviours related to autonomy, leadership, organization, team work, and time management.
5. Interdisciplinarity Respect: be able to identify, integrate, and use knowledge from different disciplines and research orientations to engage in the active process of knowledge construction and be able to analyze their own emerging position as researchers.
6. Specialized Knowledge: demonstrate depth of knowledge in an area of concentration within Applied Human Nutrition or Family Relationships and Human Development. 

Program Requirements

Applied Human Nutrition

PhD students in Applied Human Nutrition are required to take a minimum of 1.75 graduate credits including FRAN*6550 PhD Research Seminar and three additional graduate courses [0.5 credits each] chosen in consultation with the student's advisory committee such as but not limited to:

and/or other graduate elective courses, which may be taken within Family Relations and Applied Nutrition or in other academic units of the university, or in other universities through the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student program.

Note: Students who do not have a Master's degree awarded by the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition or from another comparable program, may be required to take additional relevant statistics and/or methods courses (FRAN*6000 Quantitative Research Methods, FRAN*6010 Applied Statistics, and/or FRAN*6020 Qualitative Research Methods) offered by the department as part of their graduate program. Students who enter the AHN field from a non-nutrition undergraduate or MSc program will also be required to take additional undergraduate and/or graduate courses necessary to meet foundational knowledge in applied human nutrition.

Students must also complete a research thesis.

Family Relations and Human Development

PhD students in Family Relations and Human Development are required to take a minimum of 1.75 graduate credits chosen in consultation with the student's advisory committee. Core courses include:

Students must complete one additional 0.50 graduate course, which may be taken within Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, in another academic unit of the university, or in other universities through the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Program.

NOTE: Students who do not have a Master's degree awarded by the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition or from another comparable program, may be required to take additional relevant theory, statistics, and/or methods courses (FRAN*6000 Quantitative Research Methods, FRAN*6010 Applied Statistics, FRAN*6020 Qualitative Research Methods, and/or FRAN*6340 Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Family Relations and Human Development) offered by the department as part of their graduate program.

Most students take additional elective graduate courses related to their program of study to build a foundation for their research and/or practice. The student's selection of elective courses is primarily determined by research specialization. Each student works closely with an advisory committee in developing an individualized program of study by selecting courses that not only provide for interdisciplinary breadth but also address the student's specific research and professional goals. Each of the emphases also indicates areas of research that reflect current faculty interests and is intended to help students define an area of research and study.

Students must also complete a research thesis.

Collaborative Specializations

International Development Studies

The Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition participates in the MSc and PhD collaborative specialization in International Development Studies (IDS). Please consult the International Development Studies listing for a detailed description of the collaborative specialization including the special additional requirements for each of the participating departments. Applications are part of the general MSc or PhD application and applicants apply directly to the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition. In addition to the FRAN MSc or PhD requirements, IDS applicants are expected to have a strong background in the social sciences, a demonstrable track record of experience in the course-based study of development issues, development research and/or development practice and a stated research interest relating to international or national development. The IDS designation also requires two core courses in international development theory and research methods. IDS graduates hold positions in government in Canada and abroad with NGOs, international organizations and private consultancies.

One Health

The Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition participates in the MSc (AHN/FRHD only) and PhD collaborative specialization in One Health. MSc and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on one health are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Family Relations and Applied Nutrition and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the One Health listing for more information.

Sexualities, Genders and Bodies

The Family Relations and Applied Nutrition program participates in the collaborative specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies. MSc and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on sexualities, genders and bodies are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Family Relations and Applied Nutrition and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the Sexualities, Genders and Bodies listing for more information.

Courses

Each of FRAN*6090 and FRAN*6100 are taken four consecutive semesters.