Curriculum
MSGC program components include didactic courses, clinical/fieldwork training, thesis research projects, and supplemental learning experiences. As students progress through the program, they develop and demonstrate achievement of a wide range of critical genetic counseling skills and competencies. Student achievement of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) Practice-Based Competencies (PBCs) are evaluated for throughout the program.
Students are required to successfully complete all of the following in order for the Master’s degree to be granted:
- Completion of all required didactic courses (42 credits)
- Completion of 5 clinical/fieldwork rotations (15 credits)
- Completion of an acceptable master’s research project (6 credits)
- This includes both a passed oral exam and an acceptable thesis
- Participation in required supplemental learning activities
Curriculum includes:
Fall 1st Year
GNC 420: Foundations in Medical Genetics, 5 credits
GNC 403: Embryology & Reproductive Genetics, 3 credits
GNC 430: Foundations of Genetic Counseling, 2 credits
GNC 410: Genetics Bioethics, 2 credits
BST 463: Introduction to Biostatistics, 3 credits
Spring 1st Year
SMD Medical Education course: Molecules to Cells, 8 credits (course begins off-calendar in early January)
GNC 497: Genetic Counseling in Clinical Practice, 2 credits
GNC 447: Client-Centered Genetic Counseling, 2 credits
Summer
GNC 465: Medical Genetics by Subspecialty, 4 credits (course ends late July)
GNC 491: Thesis I, 2 credits
GNC 501: Clinical Rotation/Fieldwork I (11 weeks, ends late July)*
Fall 2nd Year
GNC 467: Professional Issues in Genetic Counseling, 2 credits
GNC 494: Special Topics in Clinical Genetics, 1 credit
NSG 429: Diversity and Equity in Health Care, 3 credits
GNC 511: Genetic Counseling Case Seminar I, 1 credit
GNC 492: Thesis II, 2 credits
GNC 502: Clinical Rotation/Fieldwork II (8 weeks)*
GNC 503: Clinical Rotation/Fieldwork III (8 weeks)*
Spring 2nd Year
GNC 500: Biopsychosocial Family Experiences with Genetic Conditions, 3 credits
GNC 512: Genetic Counseling Case Seminar II, 1 credit
GNC 493: Thesis III, 2 credits
GNC 504: Clinical Rotation/Fieldwork IV (8 weeks)*
GNC 505: Clinical Rotation/Fieldwork V (8 weeks)*
MSGC Program Course Descriptions
*Clinical Rotations/Fieldwork: Each student is expected to complete 5 clinical rotation/fieldwork experiences (Placements I-V) in order to complete the MSGC program, for a total of 15 credit hours. Each student will have all 3 core rotations in: Pediatric Genetics; Reproductive (Prenatal) Genetics; and Cancer Genetics. Each student is also required to have 2 of the following elective rotations: Ocular Genetics; Adult Medical Genetics (includes Cardiogenetics); Neurology/Neuromuscular Genetics; Industry/Lab.
The program’s Clinical Rotation/Fieldwork placement sites include:
Required supplemental learning activities include:
- Genetic Counseling Leadership Seminar Series, throughout length of the program
- Genetic Counseling Journal Club, throughout length of the program
- Attendance at Genetic Counseling Case Seminar I and Genetic Counseling Case Seminar II courses, Fall and Spring of 1st year
- Interdivisional Genetics Conference (weekly), Summer through Spring of 2nd year
- 2 Days of Clinical Observation with a URMC Genetic Counselor, Fall of 1st year
- Laboratory Fieldwork with URMC Cytogenetics and Array Labs (2 weeks), 1st year
- Day Observation with URMC Social Work, Fall of 1st year
- Thesis Development Workshop, March-April of 1st year
- Community Engagement Summer Programs – this includes both a 40-hour Community Engagement Experience and Camp
- Advances in Genetic & Genomic Testing Seminar Series, Spring of 2nd year
- Employment Preparation Workshop, 2nd year
- Certification Exam Preparation Workshop, Spring of 2nd year
Supplemental Learning Activities Descriptions
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