Genetic Counseling

The Program in Genetic Counseling is an innovative, 21-month Master of Science program that prepares graduates to be Certified Genetic Counselors (CGCs^®). We have full accreditation status through the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). Admission to programs accredited by the ACGC require registering for the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match.

Applicants to the Program in Genetic Counseling must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent if from a foreign college or university). Most applicants will have majored in biology or a related field (e.g., biochemistry, genetics) or in psychology. Along with the required prerequisite undergraduate course work in genetics, biochemistry, statistics, and psychology, the Program in Genetic Counseling also highly recommends that applicants have obtained the following types of experiences prior to applying:

Exposure to the field via shadowing and/or informational interviewing
Advocacy and/or counseling experience

The mission of the Program in Genetic Counseling at Washington University is to educate future generations of genetic counselors to serve the growing need for diverse, culturally humble, innovative genetic counselors serving patients, working in industry, and conducting research. The objectives of the program are to provide a rigorous curriculum, broad and robust clinical experiences, and expert research guidance to graduate students who are well prepared to fill the ever-expanding professional roles in which genetic counselors may be employed.

All graduates of accredited genetic counseling graduate programs are prepared for entry-level genetic counseling positions, regardless of the area of specialization. Common areas of specialization for genetic counselors include oncology, prenatal, pediatrics, neurogenetics, and cardiology. Many genetic counselors do select a specialty area of practice that they focus on throughout their careers. Others change their area of practice many times. The field of genetic counseling provides a great deal of career flexibility.

As a result of its ACGC accreditation, the Program in Genetic Counseling curriculum meets the educational requirements to sit for the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) Certification Examination and to pursue licensure in all states and territories of the United States and Washington, DC, in which licensure is available.

Email:	geneticcounseling@wustl.edu
Website:	http://geneticcounseling.wustl.edu

Program in Genetic Counseling faculty members are active collaborators and leaders of interdisciplinary research projects that inform the practice of genetic counseling. To benefit from this active research portfolio, our students will undertake research-related activities throughout the program. Students will be introduced to key genetic counseling research concepts and encouraged to note areas of research interest throughout the first semester. Formal training in genetic counseling research methods and responsible conduct will take place during the second semester course, Genetic Counseling Research Methods and Ethics. Assignments in this course will culminate in students having a proposal for an independent research project that will be completed prior to graduation.

Our program is committed to generating research results that enhance the genetic counseling evidence base and patient care. To support impactful research, students will have the opportunity to collaborate across cohorts on legacy research projects. Students are also strongly encouraged to submit their findings for peer-reviewed publication and presentation.

Rachael Bradshaw, MS, CGC
Program Director

Tomi L. Toler, MS, CGC
Associate Director
Clinical Fieldwork Coordinator

Erin Linnenbringer, PhD, MS, CGC
Assistant Director
Research Coordinator

Marwan Shinawi, MD, FACMG
Medical Director

Meagan Corliss, MS, CGC
Course Director

Katherine King, MD
Course Director

Elizabeth Witthaus
Program Coordinator

Visit the Program in Genetic Counseling website for more information about our faculty and their appointments.

GNCOUN 5000 Introduction to Genetic Counseling I

This seminar provides an overview of genetic counseling and health care, and it discusses how individual differences can affect health care choices and belief systems. Students will become familiar with the process of genetic counseling, and they will build an awareness of related health professions, the health care system, and important terminology. Attendance and active participation are expected and required. Course activities will include interactive lectures, class discussions, class member presentations, guest presentations, and outside reading. This course is open to students in the Program in Genetic Counseling. Admittance may be offered to other students by request.

Credit 4 units.

Typical periods offered: Fall

GNCOUN 5001 Introduction to Genetic Counseling II

This course is a seminar focusing on preparing students for their clinical rotations and learning and practicing basic counseling skills. Attendance and active participation is expected and required. Course activities will include interactive lectures, class discussions, class member presentations, guest presentations, and outside reading. This course is open to students in the Master's in Program in Genetic Counseling. Admittance may be offered to other students by request.

Credit 4 units.

Typical periods offered: Spring

GNCOUN 5010 Laboratory Genetic Counseling

This course is designed for genetic counseling students, and it focuses on a variety of areas related to genetic counseling in the laboratory. Students will become familiar with various laboratory testing methodologies, data interpretation, and report writing in addition to professional and regulatory scenarios encountered in the lab. Attendance and active participation are expected and required. The course will consist of lectures, class discussions, hands-on demonstrations and tutorials, laboratory tours, and written materials. Some travel will be required. This course is open to students in the Master's in Genetic Counseling Program. Admittance may be offered to other students by request.

Credit 3 units.

Typical periods offered: Fall

GNCOUN 5020 Genetic Counseling Journal Club

This journal club is a monthly, two-hour discussion of a relevant topic in clinical genetics. Research articles are selected from the literature and presented by attendees (one article per attendee). Summaries of the articles include a critical appraisal of the study and its methodology and results; the potential implications of the results for clinical practice (if any); the limitations of the conclusions that can be drawn from the study; and any biases or conflicts of interest that could have affected the study results. This course is open to students in the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling. Admittance may be offered to other students by request.

Credit 1 unit.

Typical periods offered: Fall, Spring

GNCOUN 5040 Genetic Counseling Research Methods and Ethics

This course will provide the foundation for the development and execution of the research project required for successful completion of the Master's of Science in Genetic Counseling degree. Through a series of interactive lectures, class discussions, student presentations, guest presentations, and outside reading, students will learn about common genetic counseling-relevant research methods; areas of active genetic counseling research on both a local and national level; and ethical guidelines for the conduct of responsible human subjects research. By the end of the course, students will select a topic for their research project and submit a research proposal. Students will register for Research Project I, II, and III to complete their research projects with faculty mentorship and peer support. This course is open to graduate students at Washington University School of Medicine.

Credit 3 units.

Typical periods offered: Spring

GNCOUN 5050 Research Project I

The primary objective of this course series is to ensure the timely completion of student research projects. This course series provides research project scaffolding, mentorship, and opportunities for peer feedback. Research Project I is an eight-week course taken remotely or in person during the summer between the first and second years.

Credit 1 unit.

Typical periods offered: Summer

GNCOUN 5060 Clinical Fieldwork Rotations I

This course covers clinical fieldwork rotations. Participation as requested by supervisors is required. Clinical Fieldwork Rotations I is a 28-day clinical rotation over the summer between the first and second years. Students who complete this course successfully will be able to demonstrate management of a genetic counseling case from contracting to follow-up and successfully use psychosocial counseling skills with patients.

Credit 4 units.

Typical periods offered: Summer

GNCOUN 5100 Clinical Genetics & Genomics I

This course is a seminar focusing on the fundamentals of clinical genetics and genomics. Attendance and active participation are expected and required. Course activities will include interactive lectures, class discussion, and class member presentations. This course is open to students in the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling. Admittance may be offered to other students by request.

Credit 3 units.

Typical periods offered: Fall

GNCOUN 5110 Clinical Genetics & Genomics II

This course is a seminar focusing on the specialty areas in clinical genetics and genomics. Attendance and active participation are expected and required. Course activities will include interactive lectures, class discussion, and class member presentations. This course is open to students in the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling. Admittance may be offered to other students by request.

Credit 3 units.

Typical periods offered: Spring

GNCOUN 6010 Advanced Genetic Counseling I

This course is a seminar focusing on starting to build advanced genetic counseling skills. Students will become familiar with unique aspects of various genetic counseling specialties, with a focus on prenatal genetics. Students will also learn about counseling theories, psychosocial assessment, psychosocial counseling techniques, and professional development skills. Attendance and active participation are expected and required.

Credit 4 units.

Typical periods offered: Fall

GNCOUN 6020 Research Project II

The primary objective of this course series is to ensure the timely completion of student research projects. This course series provides research project scaffolding, mentorship, and opportunities for peer feedback. Research Project II is taken during the fall semester of the second year.

Credit 2 units.

Typical periods offered: Fall

GNCOUN 6030 Clinical Fieldwork Rotations II

This course covers clinical fieldwork rotations. Participation as requested by supervisors is required. Clinical Fieldwork Rotations II involves two 14-day clinical rotations during the fall semester of the second year. Students who complete this course successfully will be able to demonstrate management of a genetic counseling case from contracting to follow-up and successfully use psychosocial counseling skills with patients.

Credit 3 units.

Typical periods offered: Fall

GNCOUN 6040 Teratology

This course is a weekly seminar focusing on human teratogens. Students will become familiar with the mechanisms by which exposures affect human development, learn about known and potential teratogens, and understand the methods by which exposures are studied to understand their potential effects. Finally, students will learn how to incorporate data available in the medical literature and databases to provide information about teratogens to patients and providers. Attendance and active participation is expected and required. Course activities will include interactive lectures, class discussions, class member presentations, guest presentations, and outside reading. This course is open to students in the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling. Admittance may be offered to other students by request. Prerequisites for this course are Human Embryology (taken online via University of Cincinnati during the first year of study).

Credit 2 units.

Typical periods offered: Spring

GNCOUN 6050 Advanced Genetic Counseling II

This course is a seminar focusing on building and honing advanced genetic counseling skills. Students will learn about complex issues such as family dynamics, crisis intervention, and implicit biases and use this knowledge to increase their psychosocial assessment and counseling skills. This course will also help prepare students for graduation with a focus on ABGC Board Examination readiness and learning how to use self-care techniques to assist with stress management. Course activities will include interactive lectures, class discussions, class member presentations, guest presentations, and outside reading. This course is open to students in the Program in Genetic Counseling. Admittance may be offered to other students by request.

Credit 4 units.

Typical periods offered: Spring

GNCOUN 6060 Clinical Fieldwork Rotations III

This course covers clinical fieldwork rotations. Participation as requested by supervisors is required. This includes two 14-day clinical rotations during the spring semester of the second year. This course is open to students in the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling. Prerequisites for this course are successful completion of Clinical Fieldwork Rotations I and II (M65.509 and M65.603).

Credit 3 units.

Typical periods offered: Spring

GNCOUN 6070 Research Project III

The primary objective of the course series is to ensure the timely completion of student research projects. This course series provides research project scaffolding, mentorship, and opportunities for peer feedback. Research Project III is taken during the spring semester of the second year. This course is open to students in the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling.

Credit 2 units.

Typical periods offered: Spring

Genetic Counseling

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