Genetic Counseling

The Genetic Counseling Training Program is a 40 credit hour program that spans four academic semesters and an intervening summer. Acquisition and mastery of clinical competencies are reflected in the Program’s didactic coursework, clinical rotations, research process and supplementary experiences. The sequence of medical genetics courses and genetic counseling courses are designed to introduce concepts regarding medical genetics, general medical practice, counseling theory and clinical skills such that they build from beginning skills to a more advanced skill set in the order needed for clinical experiences. The goal of the program is to provide students with the knowledge and clinical skills to function as competent and caring genetic counselors in a wide range of settings and roles. All of these activities enable successful graduates to meet the clinical competencies as outlined by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) and successfully pass the American Board of Genetic Counseling certification examination (ABGC).

Experiential professional training occurs concurrently with formal coursework and over the summer between years one and two. Clinical settings include a variety of clinics and inpatient services at the Center for Human Genetics at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, the Genomic Medicine Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, Genetic Services at MetroHealth Medical Center and Medical Genetics at Akron Children’s Hospital. Students also rotate through the Center for Human Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory which includes experiences in cytogenetics, molecular genetics, cancer cytogenetics and maternal serum screening. Student participation in these and other departmental professional and educational activities such as lectures, seminars, journal club, grand rounds, genetics conferences, and various research, counseling and patient management conferences is expected throughout the program. Coursework and clinical experiences are designed to develop the competencies expected by the ACGC.

The First Year

The major activities during the first year consist of course work (in plan of study below), clinical observations and defining a research question and preparing a research proposal.  Observational clinical rotations begin early in October with students observing in prenatal genetics, cancer genetics, and general genetics clinics at the program’s three affiliated institutions. Additionally, students meet several times over the fall semester to discuss the research process, potential topics and are introduced to the faculty’s research areas of interest.

In addition to continuing clinical observational rotations and research, students continue with course work including an introduction to research methods and more in-depth theory and practice in the psychosocial aspects of counseling during spring semester.

During the intervening summer of years 1 and 2, students begin clinical rotations at the Medical Genetics Division at Akron Children’s Hospital to gain exposure in various clinical settings including prenatal, general genetics, pediatrics, specialty clinics and cancer genetics clinic. They also rotate through the Center for Human Genetics Laboratory to become familiarized with the clinical aspects of a diagnostic cytogenetics and molecular genetics laboratory.
The Second Year

The major focus of the second year is continued clinical experiences, research and taking the comprehensive written and oral examinations. Students also complete their coursework, taking one course each semester.

At the beginning of spring semester in January, the students sit for the written comprehensive examination (covering the didactic and clinical genetic counseling material covered to date in the program) and the oral section of the examination, which is given shortly after the written portion. Both examinations are intended to allow students to expand on their knowledge base of human and medical genetics and genetic counseling. Students are expected to pass both sections of the examination in order to meet graduation requirements by the Program. The written portion of the examination is patterned after the national certification examination given by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Students continue to work on data collection and analyses for their research projects, which should result in a publishable document. They meet with the Program Director periodically to review their progress as well as with their research committee and of course, are meeting with their mentor on a more frequent basis. During the fall semester of second year the student also attend the National Society of Genetic Counselors annual education meeting. This provides an opportunity for students to meet genetic counselors from across the country, to attend scientific sessions to continue adding to their knowledge base and to meet and discuss job opportunities with prospective employers. Successful completion of the program fulfills the curricular and clinical training requirements for eligibility to sit for the certification examination given by the ABGC.

The sequence of courses for students is as follows:

MS Plan of Study

Requirements

• Applicants must have a good academic record, e.g., a B-average or rank in the upper third of his or her graduating class at an institution whose status and programs are readily assessed.
• Applicants must meet all of the undergraduate prerequisites for the proposed field of graduate study.
• Statement of Objectives — Some programs have this built into the application. If not, create your own using "Statement of Objectives" as the heading. The statement should be one to two pages and include your purpose in undertaking graduate work as well as an explanation of your study and research interests as they relate to your undergraduate/graduate study and professional goals.
• Academic Transcripts – You are required to identify all post-secondary educational institutions you have attended on your application form, and to submit an official transcript from each. Admission to the School of Graduate Studies is conditional on final certification of degrees awarded. Note to International Students: Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by certified translations in English.
• Letters of Recommendation - Three letters of recommendation must be submitted from those individuals sufficiently familiar with you, and who can assess your academic preparation, abilities and accomplishments. Letters should be from your most recent instructors in your proposed field of study. If you have been out of school for several years, one letter may be from your employer, supervisor or other person familiar with your most recent activities.
• Test Scores – Your department will identify required standardized tests. When you fill out forms for these use 1105 as the institutional code for Case Western Reserve University. The School of Graduate Studies will forward all official score reports of standardized tests (GRE, TOEFL, etc.) to the program of interest. The department will inform you which standardized tests are required for your program. International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and earn a minimum score of 577 if paper-based, or 90 if Internet-based. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also accepted. The minimum acceptable score is 7.0. Some departments may require higher scores. International applicants cannot be admitted without receipt of an acceptable official TOEFL score. The TOEFL is valid for two years after the test date. The GRE is valid for five years after the test date.
• Application Fee - A nonrefundable application fee of $50 is required for each application submitted.

Scholarships

• Global Education