Genetic Counseling (M.S.)

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View PDF of Genetic Counseling Admissions Checklist

Prospective students should use this checklist to obtain specific admissions requirements on how to apply to Graduate School.

View PDF version of the Genetic Counseling catalog description

Degree Offered:	M.S.
Director:	Lynn Holt, M.S, C.G.C.
Phone:	(205) 975-2922
E-mail:	LynnHolt@uab.edu
Web site:	www.uab.edu/msgc

Faculty

R. Lynn Holt, MS, CGC

Program Director and Assistant Professor

Maria Descartes, MD

Medical Director and Associate Professor of Genetics

Christina B. Hurst, MS, CGC

Assistant Program Director and Assistant Professor

M.S. Program in Genetic Counseling

Accreditation:

The Genetic Counseling Program is provisionally accredited by The American Board of Genetic Counseling, Inc. (ABGC) as a new program. The program is eligible for full accreditation in 2013. All students that graduate from a provisionally accredited program have the same rights and privileges as graduates from a fully accredited program to apply for certification and licensure as a genetic counselor. In the event that a program does not receive full accreditation, all students that graduate from the program while provisionally accredited are still board eligible.

Admission Requirements

·         Baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college/university

·         Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores from the Verbal, Quantitative and Analytic sections. Applicants with advanced degrees whose GRE scores are older than 5 years (the time limit that ETS will send scores) can send reports from previously attended graduate programs.

·         A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0)

·         A minimum GPA of 3.0 in natural science courses

·         A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in the program prerequisite courses, with a minimum grade of C in each (prerequisite courses are listed below)

·         A personal statement (no more than 500 words) highlighting your motivation to become a genetic counselor, and emphasizing your prior and current experiences and how they will benefit you in the profession.

·         Paid or volunteer experience in a crisis counseling setting, peer counseling setting, working with individuals with genetic conditions or disabilities, technical work in genetics laboratories, or teaching experience in biology or genetics are recommended and encouraged in preparation for entering the genetic counseling field.

·         Interview with faculty

·         Three letters of recommendation

·         Satisfactory screening on health data questionnaire by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service.

·         The following course prerequisites:

o   4 semester hours of biology I (with lab)

o   4 semester hours of biology II (with lab)

o   4 semester hours of biochemistry

o   4 semester hours of genetics

o   3 semester hours of statistics (upper level, population, and/or health-related)

o   3-4 semester hours of psychology (general, developmental, or abnormal)

Degree Requirements

The graduate program in genetic counseling will follow the Plan II (non-thesis) option.

Program Curriculum

Fall Semester, 1^st year

GC 501 Genetics in Medicine (3)

GC 510 Introduction to Genetic Counseling (3)

GC 560 Genetic Counseling Journal Club (1)

GC 725/MGE 725 Advanced Medical Genetics (3)

CDS 610 Research Design and Statistics (3)

ECG 621 Theories in Counseling (3)

Spring Semester, 1^st year

GC 504 Prenatal Genetics, Embryology, and Teratology (3)

GC 505 Principles of Cancer and Adult Genetics and Counseling (3)

GC 506 Theory and Practice of Genetic Counseling (3)

GC 560 Genetic Counseling Journal Club (1)

CDS 625 Scientific Publications (3)

ECG 628 Counseling Skills and Techniques (3)

Summer Semester

GC 651 Clinical Rotation I (5)

Fall Semester, 2^nd year

GC 601 Research and Laboratory Based Genetic Counseling (2)

GC 652 Clinical Rotation II (2)

GC 653 Clinical Rotation III (2)

GC 560 Genetic Counseling Journal Club (1)

GC 698 Non-thesis Research (2)

CDS 500 Phlebotomy and Body Fluid Collection (1)

CDS 615 Ethics, Professionalism, and Civic Responsibility (2) or elective

Spring Semester, 2^nd year

GC 602 Advanced Topics in Genetic Counseling (3)

GC 654 Clinical Rotation IV (2)

GC 655 Clinical Rotation V (2)

GC 560 Genetic Counseling Journal Club (1)

GC 698 Non-thesis Research (2)

CDS 604 Survival Spanish for Health Professionals (1)

Additional Information

Deadline for Entry Term(s):	January 15
Deadline for All Application Materials to be in the Graduate School Office:	January 15
Number of Evaluation Forms Required:	Three
Entrance Tests	GRE (TOEFL and TWE also required for international applicants whose native language is not English.)

For detailed information, contact Program Director, Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling, UAB School of Health Professions, 1705 University Boulevard, SHPB 441, Birmingham, AL 35294-1212.

Telephone 205-975-4CDS (205-975-4237)

E-mail AskCDS@uab.edu

Website www.uab.edu/msgc

Course Descriptions

Genetic Counseling (GC)

GC 501. Genetics in Medicine (3 hrs)

An overview of the clinical evaluation and assessment of an individual with a congenital anomaly, mental retardation and/or genetic condition. This will include the introduction to the etiology of common genetic conditions, and testing and treatment options for genetic disorders.

GC 504. Prenatal Genetics, Embryology, and Teratology (3 hrs)

Overview of embryology, teratology and physiology as related to human development and genetic disease and their applications in prenatal genetic counseling.

GC 505. Principles of Cancer and Adult Genetics and Counseling (3 hrs)

Genetic mechanisms of genetic cancer syndromes, cancer predisposition, and adult onset disorders as well as the psychosocial issues related to these conditions that influence the genetic counseling process.

GC 506. Theory and Practice of Genetic Counseling (3 hrs)

Advanced genetic counseling skills as preparation to enter clinical settings.

GC 510. Introduction to Genetic Counseling (3 hrs)

Introduction to the field of genetic counseling and the basic principles of the profession.

GC 560. Genetic Counseling Journal Club. (1 hr)

Review, presentaiton and discussion of relevant literature in medical genetics and genetic counseling.

GC 698. Non-thesis Research. (2 hrs)

Graduate level research project under the supervision of clinical faculty.

GC 601. Research and Laboratory Based Genetic Counseling (2 hrs)

Clinical and research laboratory methods and protocols, genetic research testing, research study design, coordination, and other topics to prepare for careers in these areas.

GC 602. Advanced Topics in Genetic Counseling (3 hrs)

Exploration of advanced topics in the field of genetic counseling that related to clinical practice and non-clinical professional duties as a genetic counselor.

GC 725/MGE 725. Advanced Medical Genetics (3 hrs)

In conjunction with the Health Professions/Genetic Counseling Training Program, this course will focus on the medical application of advances in genetics and genomics. Topics will include chromosome structure and function and major types of chromosomal abnormalities, cancer genetics and cytogenetics, inborn errors of metabolism, current strategies for detection of mutations associated with genetic disorders, genetic risk assessment and population genetics, and genomic approaches to diagnosis and risk stratification.

Rotation Coursework

GC 651. Clinical Rotation I (5 hrs)

Initial clinical rotation for students to establish basic skill set in genetic counseling applications. Students will interact with an array of genetic specialists in a clinical setting. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.

GC 652. Clinical Rotation II (2 hrs)

Students utilized intermediate clinical skills in assigned clinical setting. Students will interact with an array of genetic specialists in a clinical setting. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.

GC 653. Clinical Rotation III (2 hrs)

Students will apply progressive genetic counseling skills in clinical setting. Students will interact with an array of genetic specialists in a clinical setting. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.

GC 654. Clinical Rotation IV (2 hrs)

Students will demonstrate advanced clinical genetic counseling skills. Students will interact with an array of genetic specialists in a clinical setting. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.

GC 655. Clinical Rotation V (2 hrs)

Advanced clinical rotation to allow student additional exposure in area of interest. Students will interact with an array of genetic specialists in a clinical setting. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.

Required courses taught through other departments and schools

CDS 500 Phlebotomy and Body Fluid Collection

CDS 604 Survival Spanish for Health Professionals

CDS 610 Research Design and Statistics

CDS 625 Scientific Publications

ECG 621 Theories in Counseling

ECG 628 Counseling Skills and Techniques

Last modified 7/15/2011