Program Description
The Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling MS program will provide students integrative education and training to become compassionate and knowledgeable genetic counselors.
The program in Human Genetics & Genetic Counseling is a participant in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS).
Learning Goals/Outcomes: Genetics Expertise & Analysis
- Demonstrate & utilize a understanding and knowledge of genetics and genomics core concepts and principles
- Integrate knowledge of psychosocial aspects of conditions with a genetic component to promote client well- being
- Construct relevant, targeted and comprehensive personal and family histories and pedigrees
- Identify, assess, facilitate, and integrate genetic testing options in genetic counseling practice
- Assess individuals’ and their relatives’ probability of conditions with a genetic component or carrier status based on their pedigree, test result(s), and other pertinent information
- Demonstrate skills necessary to manage genetic counseling case
- Critically assess genetic/genomic, medical and social science literature and information
Learning Goals/Outcome: Psychosocial and Counseling Skills
- Establish a mutually agreed upon genetic counseling agenda with the client
- Employ active listening and interviewing skills to identify, assess, and empathically respond to stated and emerging concerns
- Use range of genetic counseling skills & models to facilitate informed decision-making & adaptation to genetic risks or conditions
- Promote client-centered, informed, non-coercive and value-based decision-making
- Understand how to adapt genetic counseling skills for varied service delivery model
- Apply genetic counseling skills in a culturally responsive and respectful manner to all clients
Learning Goals/Outcome: Education
- Educate clients about a wide range of genetics and genomics information based on their needs, their characteristics and the circumstances of the encounter
- Write concise and understandable clinical and scientific information for audiences of varying educational backgrounds
- Give a presentation on genetics, genomics and genetic counseling issue
Learning Goals/Outcome: Prof Development & Practice
- Use Ethical, legal, philosophical principles & values
- Demonstrate understanding of the research process
- Advocate for individuals, families, communities profession
- Demonstrate a self-reflective, evidenced-based and current approach to genetic counseling practice
- Understand the methods, roles and responsibilities of the process of clinical supervision of trainee
- Establish and maintain professional interdisciplinary relationships in both team and one-on-one settings, and recognize one’s role in the larger healthcare system
Curriculum: 2 years, 64 credits
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HG 501 | Intro to Genetic Counseling | 2 |
| GE 636 | Tumor Cell Signaling&CellCycle | 3 |
| CB 615 | Devel. Biol I-Embryology | 3 |
| HG 670 | ClinCardiovascular Genetics | 1 |
| HG 601 | Medical Genetics | 2 |
| HG 550 | ClinApp for Genetic Counsel I | 2 |
| HG 701 | Clinical Lab/Rotation | 1 |
| GE 651 | Pathobiology of Cancer | 2 |
| HG 680 | Clinical Cancer Genetics | 2 |
| HG 602 | Medical Genetics II | 2 |
| HG 502 | Psychosocial Iss in Gen Couns | 3 |
| HG 551 | Clinical Applications II | 1 |
| HG 702 | Clinical/Lab Rotation ( 1 day/week - Prenatal) | 1 |
| CB 635 | GeneEnv Intractns BirthDef&Dis | 2 |
| HG 611 | Metabolic Genetics I | 2 |
| STAT 220 | Stats for the Behavioral Sci | 3 |
| HG 570 | Res Des & Method for Gen Couns | 2 |
| HG 552 | Clinical Applications III | 1 |
| HG 703 | Clinical/Lab Rotation (2 days/wk - Cancer) | 2 |
| HG 511 | Gen Counseling Theory & Prac | 2 |
| HG 580 | Prac Issues in Gen Counseling | 1 |
| HG 801 | Thesis I | 2 |
| HG 704 | Clinical/Lab Rotation (3 days/wk – Peds) | 3 |
| Credits | 45 | |
| Second Year | ||
| HG 802 | Thesis II | 2 |
| HG 531 | Gen Couns Workshop & Sem I | 1 |
| HG 512 | Gen Couns Theory & Practice II | 2 |
| HG 532 | Gen Couns Workshop & Sem II | 2 |
| HG 690 | Gen Basis of Neur & Psych Dis | 1 |
| HG 704 | Clinical/Lab Rotation (3 days/wk) | 3 |
| HG 803 | Thesis III | 2 |
| HG 532 | Gen Couns Workshop & Sem II | 2 |
| HG 705 | Clinical/Lab Rotation (3 days/wk ) | 3 |
| Supplemental | ||
| Thesis | ||
| HG 706 | Clinical/Lab Rotation | 3 |
| Curriculum Review Modules | ||
| Credits | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 66 | |