Masters of Genetic Counseling curriculum

Fall

GC 505: Research Methods I – 1 credit
GC 506: Genetic Counseling Seminar I – 1 credit
GC 502: Foundations of Genetic Counseling I – 3 credits
GC 500: Medical Genetics I - Embryology – 2 credits
GC 501: Introduction to Clinical Genetics Specialties – 3 credits
GC 503: Human Molecular Genetics – 3 credits
GC 504: Epidemiology and Statistical Methods – 2 credits
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork – 1 credit

Spring

GC 514: Research Methods II – 1credit 
GC 515: Genetic Counseling Seminar II – 1 credit
GC 512: Foundations of Genetic Counseling II – 3 credits
GC 510: Medical Genetics II – 2 credits
GC 513: Genomic Testing and Variant Interpretation – 3 credits
GC 511: Advanced Clinical Genetics Specialties – 3 credits
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork - 2 credits

GC 521: Research Methods III – 2 credits
GC 520: Case-based Approach to Genetic Counseling – 2 credits
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork – 5 credits

Fall

GC 527: Research Methods IV – 2 credits
GC 526: Genetic Counseling Seminar III – 1 credit
GC 524: Foundations of Genetic Counseling III – 3 credits
GC 523: Public and Precision Health I - 3 credits 
GC 525: Biomedical Ethics – 3 credits
GC 522: Professional Issues I -1 credit
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork – 3 credits

Spring

GC 533: Research Methods V – 2 credits
GC 532: Genetic Counseling Seminar IV – 1 credit
GC 531: Public and Precision Health II – 3 credits
GC 530: Professional Issues II – 1 credit
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork – 4 credits

This course follows Introduction to Clinical Genetics Specialties and occurs concurrently with Medical Genetics II. In the context of genetic counselor professional evidence-based practice guidelines, Advanced Clinical Genetics Specialties will further explore reproductive, cancer, and cardiovascular genetics topics as well as understand the role of genetics in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions. 

Through a team-based learning approach, students will understand the role of a genetic counselor and genetic testing in facilitating the evaluation and diagnosis of genetic diseases in a multidisciplinary team. Students will describe the process for managing a case in the context of various genetic counseling specialties, as well as the medical, psychosocial, emotional and familial aspects to management of common genetic diseases.

Genetic counselors must understand the ethical, legal and social aspects of genetic counseling and testing. In order to understand these topics, a framework and background of biomedical ethics will be presented. Topics encountered may include patient privacy, medical data and the law. This course is an essential guide in understanding both current and historical examples of genetics-related abuses and how they have impacted clinical practice. Case studies highlighting history, theory and evidence-based research are used in this course to reinforce concepts related to each of these areas to provide real world scenarios that a genetic counselor may face in the clinic. 

The first half of this course will focus on embryology, providing a detailed timeline of events associated with human development. Specific attention will be paid to abnormal development and associations with congenital anomalies. At the completion of this course, students will understand the molecular and developmental processes related to human life. The second half of this course will provide students with a preliminary exposure to a variety of different syndromes encountered in medical genetics, presented by molecular genetic etiologies. Physical exam components, dysmorphology, inheritance patterns, testing strategies, standards of care and guideline-based clinical management of these syndromes will be described.    

This course will cover basic and advanced epidemiology and statistical methods used in genetic counseling clinical practice and research. Students will evaluate published literature to incorporate into their evidence-based clinical genetic counseling practice and genetic/genomic research. A special emphasis on Bayesian and integrative methods pertaining to genomic and genetic data will be covered. There will be a focus on understanding disease frequency and distributions of disease within the population.

This course explores the foundational tenets of genetic counseling as a career field. A historical perspective is provided along with an examination of how genetic counseling has co-evolved with medical practice. Students will begin to learn and practice the key components of a genetic counseling session. Case studies, peer observations and discussions will be incorporated to facilitate skills building.

This course will continue to develop student counseling skills. Special emphasis will be on exploration of counseling theories and psychosocial development. Throughout this course, the genetic counseling student will be able to identify and discuss psychological theories utilized in the genetic counseling process. There is a focus on diversity, multicultural and disability competency in counseling. This course will continue to develop student counseling skills with emphasis on case studies, group work, clinical simulations and standardized patients.

As a continuation of Foundations of Genetic Counseling I and II, this course will focus on advanced aspects of counseling, such as managing client factors including emotion and learning style. In addition, this course will include analysis of the emotions and reactions of the genetic counselor in context of the genetic counseling session. Students will learn grief and bereavement counseling skills as well as self-reflection techniques to master these pertinent clinical counseling skills. 

Human Molecular Genetics will explore what a gene is in the context of a genome and how both of these genetic units participate in heredity. This course will introduce students to both classical and molecular genetics. Major topics include: DNA replication and repair, Mendelian genetics, pedigree analysis, cytogenetics, multifactorial inheritance, developmental genetics, population genetics, epigenetics, RNA biology, and the molecular biology associated with genome structure, function, and organization. The goal of this course is to explore fundamental knowledge and current concepts related to genetics and the human genome and how this influences medical approaches to disease. The overarching themes of the course will be what is a gene and how does that gene function in a genome.

Throughout Introduction to Clinical Genetics Specialties, students will explore clinical areas that involve genetic counseling, including neurology, developmental pediatrics, nephrology and lab medicine. Within each subspecialty topic, students will gain an understanding of basics as well as the nuances of practicing genetic counseling in that specialty. Content will include common genetic disorders, standard clinical features and natural history of disease, risk assessment, and genetic counseling nuances as well as recommended genetic testing and medical management. Course structure will include readings, didactic lectures (both synchronous and asynchronous), case-based learning activities and discussions with topic experts, presentations and examinations.

This course follows Medical Genetics I and will further students’ understanding of genetic syndromes. The process of a medical genetics clinical evaluation will be presented by organ system. Physical exam components, dysmorphology, inheritance patterns, testing strategies, standards of care and guideline-based clinical management of these syndromes will be described.    

This course aims to prepare students for their post-graduation career in the genetic counseling field. The first section will explore a variety of topics related to the genetic counseling process and professional development. Students will explore internal and external factors that may impact their developing career in the genetic counseling field. They will begin to prepare for interviews through first understanding which career path is best for them and then more minute details related to development of CVs and interviewing strategies.

This course aims to prepare students for their post-graduation career in the genetic counseling field. This is the second part of the course and students should have taken professional issues I prior to enrollment. Students will explore more topics related to professional development and career management. Students will engage with a variety of topics that are tailored toward readiness in the workforce. Special considerations of advancement in the workforce and the responsibilities of a genetic counselor in the workforce.  

This course develops students’ awareness of common disorders in the human population that may be attributed to an underlying genetic etiology or have multifactorial inheritance. Identification and diagnosis of the diseases as well as potential clinical interventions will be discussed. Emphasis to be placed on evaluation for sporadic versus inherited etiologies and counseling techniques surrounding the conversation. Many common disorders are also being incorporated into population health screening programs focusing on genetic testing as preventative medicine. This course also covers how population health and genomics data is being used to guide interventions that benefit underserved populations.

This course follows Public and Precision Health I and will provide genetic counseling students with an understanding of precision health initiatives across medical disciplines within the institution as well as those encountered nationally and internationally. Genomic technology and its role in treatment of genomic disorders will be described. Alternative genomic service delivery models will also be explored. 

This course will cover the basics of defining a research topic and how to develop the best possible experimental design for a hypothesis. Researchers will present on their research topics and provide guidance on selecting a research question. 

A course focused on research will be offered 5 times throughout the 2 years. This course is meant to educate and foster learning within the research environment.

This course will cover practical skills for research success and learning how to draft a research project. Project management, study design, and sound methodology are critical to achieving successful outcomes.

This course will involve a more in-depth discussion on qualitative research projects, reacting to a qualitative research boot camp, and prioritizing IRB protocol submissions with related supplementary materials.

A course focused on research will be offered 5 times throughout the 2 years. This short, six-week course is meant to assist students with finalizing their thesis study protocols before submission.

This course will be a weekly workshop for students to meet with committee members, content experts and peers to discuss data collection and analysis. These weeks will focus on interactive and discussion-based learning to provide and receive feedback from faculty and peers.

This course will cover organization and dissemination of research findings via multiple modalities, including written text, data visualization and oral presentations, along with logistical nuances such as choosing the right journal for manuscript submission.