Curriculum
The program includes courses in counseling skills; multicultural counseling; genetic counseling; clinical,biochemical,human, perinatal & cancer genetics; developmental genetics; clinical epidemiology; teratology; molecular and cytogenetic laboratory skills; research methods and ethical and legal issues. Clinical rotations in several institutions provide experience in cancer, laboratory, perinatal, pediatric, subspecialty, teratology and adult genetics settings. An elective rotation allows students a unique experience (for example, students may design a rotation in laboratory techniques or a subspecialty clinic), or students may choose an out-of-state clinic or more in-depth training in an area of interest. Research experience is obtained through an independent research project. Case conferences, seminars and journal clubs round out the program. The Program follows the University of Utah calendar year.
Fall Year 1
Clinical Epidemiology
Counseling Skills and Process
Genetic Counseling Seminar I: Principles of Genetic Counseling
Human Genetics
Perinatal Genetics
Professional Development in Genetic Counseling
Spring Year 1
Biochemical Genetics
Cancer Genetics
Clinical Genetics
Developmental Pathology & Genetics
Genetic Counseling Seminar II: Psychosocial Genetic Counseling
Multicultural Counseling
Summer Year 1
Genetic Counseling Research OR Genetic Counseling Thesis Research
Genetic Counseling Laboratory Rotation
Pregnancy Risk Line/Myriad Genetics Rotation
Supervised Clinical Rotation
Fall Year 2
Ethical and Legal Issues in Human Genetics
Genetic Counseling Seminar III
Genetic Counseling Research OR Genetic Counseling Thesis Research
Supervised Clinical Rotation x2
Spring Year 2
Genetic Counseling Research OR Genetic Counseling Thesis Research
Genetic Counseling Seminar IV
Supervised Clinical Rotation x3
H GEN 7380 Biochemical Genetics (2) Prerequisite: College level biochemistry.
This course will educate physicians and graduate students on the fundamentals of biochemical genetics. Includes inborn errors of metabolism and several common disorders, such as diabetes and hypertension, which have biochemical bases correctable by diet or other medical intervention. Provides overview of biochemical pathways, practical experience on how the biochemical pathways can be studied in vivo and in vitro, the molecular bases of common metabolic problems, the mechanism of inheritance including recurrence risk, and how to rationally treat metabolic blocks.
H GEN 6503 Cancer Genetics (3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor.
Cancer Genetics provides the fundamentals of cancer genetics for genetic counseling students prior to clinical rotations. Topics include molecular and clinical carcinogenesis, cancer screening, prevention, diagnosis, pedigree intake and risk assessment, and cancer genetic syndromes. Survey of cancer genetic conditions with an emphasis on the psychosocial application underlying each of the lectures. Core and guest lectures will be supplemented with patient presentations and interactive discussions and student presentations.
H GEN 6350 Clinical Epidemiology (1) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor.
This course covers the basic principles of epidemiology and statistics, from a clinical perspective. It will enable the student to understand research methodologies, apply learned skills to their own research and provide a basis for critical review of medical literature.
H GEN 6470 Clinical Genetics (3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor.
This course consists of a series of lectures on a wide variety of genetic disorders, their natural history, available treatment and inheritance patterns. The application of the medical and genetic information to genetic counseling with families will be emphasized.
ED PS 6210 Counseling Skills and Process (3) Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment:
Basic interviewing and counseling skills, relationship skills, formulation of counseling objectives and modes of intervention. Pre-practicum experience to prepare students to work with clients.
H GEN 6600 Developmental Pathology & Genetics (1) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor.
This course provides an overview of normal human embryological development and provides insight into the known etiologies of abnormal development. It covers the commonest human anomalies, the relationship between evolution and development, and the causes and evaluation of prenatal death.
H GEN 6700 Ethical and Legal Issues in Human Genetics (2) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor.
This course provides an overview of the ethical and legal foundations of genetic counseling and addresses the major ethical and legal controversies confronted by genetic counselors. A multidisciplinary faculty will lead the course. The approach will be through didactic presentations and case-based discussions. Readings will be drawn from contemporary literature. Students will be required to write a 5 – 10 page paper on a relevant topic of their choice.
H GEN 6900 Genetic Counseling Research (1-2) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students only.
Students will be evaluated on the quality and timeliness of their research project, including the research proposal and research presentations in the first and second year. To receive credit and graduate from the Program, students must follow the research guidelines.
H GEN 6550 Genetic Counseling Laboratory Rotation (2) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor.
Students perform Southern blot analysis, PCR, and karyotyping. They participate in complex clinical test interpretations in the molecular genetics, biochemical genetics, cytogenetics and special chemistry laboratories. Students communicate abnormal results to health care providers with the oversight of certified genetic counselors.
H GEN 6420 Genetic Counseling Seminar I: Principles of Genetic Counseling (3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students only.
This course covers the history of genetic counseling and clinical genetics, teaches the basic competencies in genetic counseling by providing instruction in genetic counseling skills, the genetic counseling process, pedigree analysis, taking medical histories, psychosocial aspects of genetic counseling, and introduces medical and clinical genetics.
H GEN 6430 Genetic Counseling Seminar II: Psychosocial Genetic Counseling (3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students only.
This course involves a series of readings, observations of recorded genetic counseling sessions, class discussions, and exercises (e.g., role plays) with a focus on developing psychosocial/counseling skills within a culturally and ethnically diverse context. Throughout the course, digitally recorded examples of a national sample of genetic counselors will be used to demonstrate the diversity in competency in psychosocial interactions with clients.
H GEN 6440 Genetic Counseling Seminar III (3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students only.
This course provides students with skills to perform well in job searches and interviews, and to present information verbally and in writing to audiences of different backgrounds. It provides a forum to learn from difficult cases, increase clinically useful knowledge and skills, explore economic issues in genetics and synthesize community placement experiences.
H GEN 6450 Genetic Counseling Seminar IV (3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students only.
This course provides genetic counseling students with skills to perform well in their first job, present oral presentations, and pursue lifelong learning. It provides a forum to learn from difficult cases, apply multicultural skills to genetic counseling situations, explore public health topics in genetics, and synthesize their research experience with an oral and written presentation. Students will understand the ABGC certification process and learn skills to improve their performance on the ABGC certification examination.
H GEN 6970 Genetic Counseling Thesis Research (1-3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students only.
Independent master’s thesis research for genetic counseling students.
H GEN 6500 Human Genetics (3) Prerequisite:Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor.
This course covers topics related to human genetics and the mechanisms of gene and cellular regulation, DNA structure, genes and mutations, basic cytogenetics, population genetics, immunogenetics, and risk analysis.
ED PS 6360 Multicultural Counseling (3) Prerequisite: ED PS 6200 & 6210
A course in diversity issues which examines counseling the culturally different client. The course is grounded in an awareness, knowledge, and skills approach. Ethnic/cultural groups, women, sexual orientation, and disability will be examined. This is both an experimental and seminar-based course. Mainstream counseling theories will also be analyzed in terms of their appropriateness across cultures.
H GEN 6300 Perinatal Genetics (3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor.
This course provides the fundamentals of perinatal genetics for genetic counseling students prior to clinical rotations. It will provide an overview of topics in perinatal genetics including management of normal and complicated pregnancy, genetic screening, prenatal diagnostic techniques and indications, teratogens and infertility. The diagnosis and management of pregnancies complicated by maternal and fetal genetic disease, fetal anomalies, and pregnancy loss as well as reproductive options such as pregnancy termination will be covered. Core and guest lectures will be supplemented with interactive discussions and student presentations.
H GEN 6800 Pregnancy RiskLine/Myriad Genetics Rotation (2) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students or permission of instructor. Instructor(s): Leen-Mitchell, Carey, Gaonkar
At the Pregnancy Risk Line, students will expand their knowledge of clinical teratology with the goal of providing teratology counseling to clients in a subsequent perinatal rotation. Course topics include principles of teratology and pharmacology, congenital anomalies, known teratogens, client counseling, animal testing, lactation, substances of abuse, and occupational/environmental exposures. Student will engage in readings, lectures, group discussions, teratology call observation, case conferences, and a writing assignment. At Myriad Genetics, students will meet with genetic counselors in various departments to learn about roles of genetic counselors in biotechnology companies, genetic testing, and quality control. Students will observe and participate in supervised phone counseling with clients and practitioners.
H GEN 6400 Professional Development in Genetic Counseling (1 to 3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling graduate students only. Instructor(s): TBA.
Professional topics vary, but include attendance at Case Management Conference and Discussion Group (Div of Medical Genetics); attendance at Genetic Counseling Research Seminar; and attendance and presentation of articles in Genetic Counseling Journal Club.
H GEN 6850 Supervised Clinical Rotation (3) Prerequisite: Genetic counseling students only.
Students will participate in a 6-week rotation in general genetics, perinatal genetics, cancer genetics, specialty clinics, or a research setting. Clinical settings are at the University of Utah, Primary Children’s Hospital, and IHC Hospitals. Genetic counseling students are required to complete 6 clinical rotations. One of these rotations may be in a research setting. In clinical rotations, students will practice genetic counseling skills under the supervision of board-certified genetics professionals. Students choosing a research rotation will work on an independent research project.