The Graduate School Bulletin
Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
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Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Homepage
Admissions Information
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Faculty
Overview
Requirements for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
GEN Genetic Counseling Courses
Interdisciplinary Faculty and Advisors
Professors
L. DiAnne Borders, Ph.D.
Counseling supervision, counseling theory and process, ethics, school counseling, adoptive families (Department of Counseling and Educational Development).
Terrance McConnell, Ph.D.
Ethical theory, medical ethics, political philosophy (Department of Philosophy).
Clinical Professor
Nancy P. Callanan, M.S., C.G.C.
Counseling and educational needs in genetic screening programs (Program Director).
Adjunct Professor
Pamela J. Reitnauer, Ph.D., M.D.
Dysmorphology syndromes, primary care of individuals with genetic disorders, epidemiology of birth defects (Program Medical Director).
Adjunct Associate Professor
Tamision Jewett, M.D.
Clinical evaluation and management of individuals with multiple malformations, connective tissue disorders, services to Spanish speaking individuals, professional and community education (Department of Biology).
Assistant Professors
Thomas R. Kwapil, Ph.D.
Schizophrenia and related illnesses studied from experimental and developmental psychopathology perspectives (Department of Psychology).
Dennis R. LaJeunesse, Ph.D.
Developmental genetics and cell biology (Department of Biology).
Clinical Assistant Professor
Sonja R. Eubanks, M.S., C.G.C.
Clinical supervision, prenatal and pediatric genetic counseling (Assistant Program Director).
Overview
An interdisciplinary Master of Science in genetic counseling is offered through The Graduate School. The program is accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Applicants admitted to the program are expected to enroll as full-time students, registering for the required courses for each of the four semesters of the program and the intervening summer sessions.
The Curriculum
The Master of Science in genetic counseling program was designed in accordance with guidelines provided by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) to prepare students with the knowledge and pr oficiencies necessary to practice as genetic counselors in a variety of settings including prenatal, pediatric, adult, and cancer genetics. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for certification by the ABGC. A total of 55 semester hours are required for the degree. This program includes required and elective course work, laboratory experience and clinical internships. Students are also required to complete a research project as the culminating experience for the degree.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the application materials required by The Graduate School, applicants must submit a personal essay and evidence of successful completion of at least one upper level undergraduate course in general genetics and biochemistry and at least one undergraduate course in statistics. Applicants who are evaluated as meeting the standards for admission will be invited for a required personal interview with the admissions committee.
It is recommended that applicants have previous experience in a volunteer or paid position working in social service agencies or with crisis counseling organizations.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
Required Courses
Year One: Fall Semester (13 hours)
BIO 614 Prenatal Development: Embryology and Teratology (3)
BIO 616 Human Molecular Genetics (3)
GEN 601 Principles of Genetic Counseling I (3)
GEN 610 Genetic Counseling and the Community (2)
GEN 658 Molecular Diagnostics (1)
GEN 688 Genetics Journal Club (1)
Year One: Spring Semester (13 hours)
GEN 602 Principles of Genetic Counseling II (3)
GEN 630 Medical/Clinical Genetics I (3)
GEN 688 Genetics Journal Club (1)
PSY 624 Research Methods in Clinical Psychology (3)
Approved elective (3)
Year One: Summer Session I (2 hours)
EN 669 Clinical Skills Seminar (1)
GEN 671 Quantitative Risks in Practice: Understanding Risk Assessment (1)
Year One: Summer Session II (1 hour)
GEN 698 Summer Clinical Rotations (1)
Year Two: Fall Semester (13 hours)
GEN 701 Principles of Genetic Counseling III (3)
GEN 718 Clinical Rotations I (4)
GEN 730 Medical/Clinical Genetics II (3)
GEN 748 Research Project (3)
Year Two: Spring Semester (13-16 hours)
CED 645 Mental Health Issues in Genetic Counseling (3)
GEN 719 Clinical Rotations II (4)
GEN 749 Research Project (3)
PHI 602 Ethics and Genetics (3)
Optional elective (3)
Elective (3-6 hours)
An elective relevant to the student’s professional goals will be selected during the second semester of the program. Electives must be approved by the program director. With approval of the program director, students may select an additional (optional) elective in the fourth semester of the program.
Clinical Internships (9 hours)
The clinical rotations will be an integral part of the program and will serve to provide students with opportunities to increase their general clinical knowledge, gain experience with genetic counseling for a variety of indications, and develop the necessary skills and competencies required for the practice of genetic counseling. Under the supervision of on-site, board certified genetic counselors, students will progress from observation to participation in various aspects of clinical genetic services. Evaluation/feedback of the student’s activities and progress will be an ongoing component of the clinical rotations. At the end of each rotation, a formal written evaluation will be conducted by the Clinical Supervisor and reviewed with the student. Students will be required to keep an accurate logbook of clinical cases according to guidelines provided by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
Students will complete a summer clinical rotation (GEN 698) during Summer Session II of the program. Summer clinical rotations will be available at the following sites: Duke University Medical Center, Fullerton Genetics Clinic, Moses Cone Health System, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Women’s Health Specialties in Wilmington.
Students may also make arrangements for a summer clinical rotation at another site with permission of the program director and provided that the site is approved by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) as an ad hoc clinical training site.
During the second year of the program, students will be assigned to four clinical rotations (GEN 718/719). Second year clinical rotations will be available at the following sites: Duke University Medical Center, Moses Cone Health System, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Fullerton Genetics Clinic.
Research Project (6 hours)
The culminating experience for students in the genetic counseling program will be a formal research project (GEN 748/749). The research project may consist of a detailed case study and library synthesis, a clinical application, or an original clinical or laboratory research project. Students must select a project early in the third semester of the program. All projects must be approved by the program director. Projects will be completed under the guidance of a research project committee, which will consist of a chair and two other members. Adjunct clinical faculty may serve on research project committees. Students will be required to submit a detailed written report of their project and to make an oral presentation about their project to their classmates and the faculty.
GEN Genetic Counseling Courses
| 589 | Experimental Course |
| This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings. | |
| 601 | Principles of Genetic Counseling I (3:3) |
| Pr. enrollment in M.S. genetic counseling program Introduction to techniques used in genetic evaluation and counseling. Issues in preconception and prenatal genetic counseling. Skill development including basic interviewing techniques, psychosocial assessment, pedigree construction, searching on-line resources. | |
| 602 | Principles of Genetic Counseling II (3:3) |
| Pr. matriculation to second semester of M.S. genetic counseling program Issues in genetic counseling for pediatric and adult-onset genetic disorders including cancer genetics. Skill development, including working with special populations, decision-making, elements of informed consent. | |
| 605 | Research Design in Genetic Counseling (3:3) |
| Pr. matriculation to second semester of M.S. genetic counseling program Knowledge and skills basic to critical analysis, interpretation of research findings. Use of the scientific method and research process to address issues in the practice of genetic counseling. | |
| 610 | Genetic Counseling and the Community (2:1.5:3) |
| Pr. enrollment in M.S. genetic counseling program Impact of genetic disorders on patients and families, structure and function of support groups, and role of allied health professionals in evaluation, treatment and referral of patients with genetic disorders. | |
| 614 | Prenatal Development: Embryology and Teratology (3:3) |
| Pr. enrollment in M.S. genetic counseling program or permission of instructor Human embryological development with emphasis on normal and abnormal development. Issues in teratology and birth defects, clinical problems associated with birth defects and their means of prevention. (Same as BIO 614) | |
| 616 | Human Molecular Genetics (3:3) |
| Pr. enrollment in M.S. genetic counseling program or permission of instructor Review and extension of basic principles of molecular genetics and their application for the characterization, understanding, and treatment of genetically based disorders and susceptibilities. (Same as BIO 616) | |
| 630 | Medical/Clinical Genetics I (3:3) |
| Pr. enrollment in M.S. genetic counseling program, BIO 516, BIO 614 Introduction to clinical/medical genetics for genetic counseling students. Topics include clinical cytogenetics and molecular genetics, Mendelian and non-traditional inheritance, dysmorphology, genetics of common cancers. | |
| 658 | Molecular Diagnostics (1:0:3) |
| Pr. enrollment in M.S. genetic counseling program or permission of instructor Survey of current clinical methods used for the diagnosis of human genetic disorders. Special emphasis given to the molecular principles, interpretations, and limitations of these tests. (Same as BIO 658) | |
| 669 | Clinical Skills Seminar (1:1) |
| Pr. matriculation to Summer Session I of M.S. genetic counseling program Skill development, eliciting histories, pedigree construction, case preparation and presentation, written documentation of clinical contacts. Introduction to components of clinical and dysmorphology examination and physical measurements. | |
| 671 | Quantitative Risks in Practice: Understanding Risk Assessment (1:3) |
| Pr. matriculation to Summer Session I of M.S. genetic counseling program Analytical and mathematical techniques utilized in genetic risk assessment. Topics include pedigree analysis, probability and segregation analysis. Bayes theorem, Hardy Weinberg, empiric risk counseling. | |
| 688 | Genetics Journal Club (1:1) |
| Pr. enrollment in M.S. genetic counseling program or permission of instructor. Students will select or be assigned articles from the genetics literature for presentation/class discussion. Topics will reflect current trends in research, clinical practice, public policy and social issues. May be repeated for a maximum of two semester hours credit. | |
| 698 | Summer Clinical Rotations (1) |
| Pr. matriculation to Summer Session II of M.S. genetic counseling program Introduction to clinical genetic counseling. Supervised observational and participatory activities, skill development. (Graded on S-U basis) | |
| 701 | Principles of Genetic Counseling III (3:3) |
| Pr. matriculation to third semester of M.S. genetic counseling program Issues in professional development, public policy and health care systems. Introduction to legal issues in genetic counseling. Skill development including advanced genetic counseling skills, case management and preparing educational programs. | |
| 711 | Experimental Course |
| This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings. | |
| 718/719 | Clinical Rotations I, II (4:0:15) |
| Pr. matriculation to second year of M.S. genetic counseling program Supervised clinical experiences in genetic counseling: case preparation, risk assessment and intervention, psychosocial assessment and support, identification of testing and support resources for patients, skill development. (Graded on S-U basis) | |
| 730 | Medical/Clinical Genetics II (3:3) |
| Pr. matriculation to third semester of M.S. genetic counseling program or permission of instructor Common diseases of childhood and adulthood, genetic screening programs, population genetics and genetic epidemiology, special topics in selected Mendelian disorders, models of molecular disease, and current applications of gene therapy. | |
| 748/749 | Research Project (3) |
| Pr. matriculation to third semester (748) and fourth semester (749) of M.S. genetic counseling program and successful completion of PSY 624 Research project in genetic counseling. (Graded on S-U basis) | |
| 803 | Research Extension (1-3) |