Instructor(s): Marta Sabbadini

This course is an advanced exploration of the fundamental principles in human molecular genetics and the molecular basis of disease. These topics are illustrated through discussion of gene and genome structure, regulation of gene expression, DNA damage and repair, human genetic variation, the basis of heredity such as Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns, mechanisms of genetic disease and an introduction to genomic testing methodologies.

Instructor(s): Jingwei Yu

The course content will introduce cytogenetics/genomics theories, chromosome morphology and organization, cytogenetic naming conventions, transmission of cytogenetic anomalies, assessment of recurrent risks and the analytical tools used for diagnosis and investigation of human genetic variations. Counseling scenarios will provide insight into the applications of classroom content to actual cases. Opportunities to visit the cytogenetic laboratory will also be available.

Instructor(s): Julie Harris-Wai

Research Methods I is an introduction to the Genetic Counseling Capstone Project and orientation to the ethical and logistical conduct of research. This is the first in a series of two courses meant to guide students towards developing their capstone project proposal.

Instructor(s): Summer Segal

This course will introduce the fundamental principles of genetic counseling and facilitate understanding of the lived experience of illness at various ages and life stages. Emphasis will be placed upon the psychosocial implications of genetic disease and its impact on normative individual and family development.

Instructor(s): Cynthia Morgan

This course is the first of a three-part series and seeks to provide students with the fundamentals of applied medical genetics. Students will be introduced to medical genetics terminology, the genetics medical evaluation and a broad range of genetic conditions and syndromes from a systems-based approach. An emphasis will be placed on critical thinking and an applied framework to evaluating genetic conditions. Resources for case management and patient support will also be integrated throughout.

Instructor(s): Cynthia Morgan

This course will familiarize students with key aspects of human prenatal development from conception through birth. Particular focus is given to formation of the embryologic germ layers, developmental mechanisms and organ system formation in order to provide an understanding of the embryological basis of congenital anomalies and genetic malformation syndromes.

Instructor(s): Julie Harris-Wai

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of research study design, methods and data collection. It serves as an introduction to quantitative, qualitative, intervention, and mixed methods research, as well as evaluation approaches. This course builds on the training and topics covered in GENCOUNSEL 203. Students will gain competencies for conducting research and evaluation in order to prepare for their capstone project and cultivate lifelong fundamental research and evaluation skills.

Instructor(s): Jane Chinn

Building upon the theoretical foundation introduced in GENCOUNSEL 204, this course focuses on the practical aspects of the clinical encounter. The course is structured around key components of a genetic counseling session. Students will learn skills and techniques for engaging and interviewing clients, communicating complex information, assessing risk perception, facilitating decision making, performing a psychosocial assessment and utilizing alternative service delivery models.

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott

This course introduces reproductive genetic counseling along with the business of healthcare. Pregnancy, infertility, screening vs. diagnostic testing options, abnormal outcomes, fetal interventions and terminations will be addressed. Psychosocial and ethical dilemmas unique to reproductive genetics allows for rich discussion. Additionally, an introduction to billing and reimbursement, coding, public versus private payers, credentialing and healthcare system delivery models is provided.

Instructor(s): Cynthia Morgan

This course builds on GENCOUNSEL 205. Conditions with more complex and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns will be introduced, as well as non-traditional fields of medical genetics. Students will learn from and interact with topic experts using a case-based learning format. Resources for case management and patient support will also be integrated throughout the curriculum. Critical thinking and an applied framework for evaluating medical genetics conditions will be emphasized.

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott

This seminar is a combination of practical topics and an examination of current literature in the field of genetic counseling and genomic medicine. The intent is to build professional skills, while also raising academic interest in clinical genetics. Class review of journal articles will enable students to become better consumers of the scientific literature, consider important components when developing research methodologies, critique research-based writing and cultivate presentation skills.

Instructor(s): Marta Sabbadini

This course provides an introduction to the latest techniques for discovering and interpreting genomic alterations; especially as applied to clinical care. The multidisciplinary application of genomic sequencing will be addressed with a primary focus on exome sequencing and variant interpretation. Students will develop critical thinking skills related to testing strategies and genomic data interpretation.

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott, Cynthia Morgan

Externship I is an opportunity to give first year students clinical exposure prior to embarking on clinical rotations. Under the supervision of genetic counselors or medical geneticists, students will develop practical genetic counseling skills through authentic patient encounters or pre-curated exercises. The focus of the Externship Program is the application of coursework to the clinical setting and the acquisition of basic, practical skills relevant to any area of practice.

Instructor(s): Adrienne Wakeling, Nicola Cadenas

This course provides an understanding of the role of genes in acquired, familial and inherited forms of cancer. Discussion of common types of cancer as well as rare hereditary cancer syndromes by body system are explored. The course also addresses surgical options, cancer treatment(s), the psychosocial aspects of cancer, risk assessment, germline testing, genomic tumor profiling and cell-free tumor analysis.

Instructor(s): Julie Harris-Wai

This course covers ethical and social issues in genetics and genomics relating to research and clinical practice. A case-based approach assists students developing basic skills in ethical reasoning. Assigned readings, genetics- and bioethics-related news stories, in-class discussions, and lectures will help participants situate questions of practice within broader social and political debates.

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott

This seminar is a combination of practical topics and an examination of current literature in the field of genetic counseling and genomic medicine. The intent is to build professional skills, while also raising academic interest in clinical genetics. Class review of journal articles will enable students to become better consumers of the scientific literature, consider important components when developing research methodologies, critique research-based writing and cultivate presentation skills.

Instructor(s): Cynthia Morgan

This is the final Advanced Medical Genetics course. Discussion of conditions with complex and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns continues along with an intro to metabolic diseases and therapeutic interventions. Students will learn from and interact with topic experts using a case-based learning format. Resources for case management and patient support will also be integrated throughout the curriculum. Critical thinking and an applied evaluation framework for genetic conditions is emphasized.

Instructor(s): Summer Segal

This course provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for effective client-centered counseling. Focus is placed upon establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship through practices that promote the counselor’s self-awareness, as well as the capacity to empathically attune and attend to clients’ needs. Common client-counselor relational dynamics and client coping strategies will be addressed. Students will learn psychosocial interventions promoting adaptation to illness.

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott, Cynthia Morgan

This course is a continuation of Externship I and will build upon the skills acquired during that course. Under the supervision of established genetic counselors or medical geneticists, students will prepare for the professional role through pre-curated exercises, increasing their interaction with patients and actively participating in professional care. Students will spend approximately 4 hours per week in Externship II.

Instructor(s): Cynthia Morgan

Students are exposed to broader applications of genetic medicine while expanding the idea of a genetic counseling encounter. Methods to ensure a practice inclusive of marginalized and vulnerable populations will be explored, including roles as professional advocates. Current public health genetics programs are discussed and debated for costs and benefits. Conflicts between the genetics and disability communities regarding the application and expansion of genetic medicine are also discussed.

Instructor(s): Summer Segal

Students will deepen their clinical practice studying more complex topics for health care providers: communicating bad news, working with difficult emotions, navigating grief and loss, addressing death and dying, exploring hope and spirituality, and facilitating healing. A mindfulness-based framework for promoting self-reflection is woven throughout the course. Classwork emphasizes experiential learning designed to help students gain competency in challenging clinical encounters.

Instructor(s): Cynthia Morgan

This course prepares students to transition into the professional world. Students will gain knowledge about the organizational structures and administrative practices of the major genetics professional societies, including the benefits of membership. They will appreciate the professional responsibility to train the next generation of genetic counselors, acquire practice administrative skills, develop a plan for board certification and licensure; and discover the value of continuing education.

Instructor(s): Julie Harris-Wai

The Capstone Project allows students to gain experience in research project development and implementation, institutional research requirements, research methodology and data analysis, evidence-based approaches to problem solving, professional writing, and self-directed learning in order to increase their professional growth and contribute to the field of genetic counseling. It will also permit students to deeply explore fields of interest and collaborate with faculty from many disciplines.

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott, Cynthia Morgan

An initial immersive clinical experience allowing students to establish basic skills applying foundational genetic counseling knowledge to practice. Under direct supervision, students spend 32 hrs/wk for 8 weeks in a genetics service setting (patient care, industry etc.). Clinical Rotation I will allow students to demonstrate progress in the acquisition of Practice Based Competencies (PBCs) and obtain cases for board certification eligibility (logbook cases may not be available at all sites).

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott, Cynthia Morgan

An immersive clinical experience allowing students to continue developing skills applying foundational genetic counseling knowledge to practice. Under direct supervision, students spend 24 hrs/wk in a genetics service setting (patient care, industry, etc.). Clinical Rotation II allows students to demonstrate continued progress in the acquisition of Practice Based Competencies (PBCs) and obtain cases for board certification eligibility (logbook cases may not be available at all sites).

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott, Cynthia Morgan

An immersive clinical experience allowing students to continue developing skills applying foundational genetic counseling knowledge to practice. Under direct supervision, students spend 24 hrs/wk in a genetics service setting (patient care, industry, etc.). Clinical Rotation III allows students to demonstrate continued progress in the acquisition of Practice Based Competencies (PBCs) and obtain cases for board certification eligibility (logbook cases may not be available at all sites).

Instructor(s): Allyson Scott, Cynthia Morgan

An immersive clinical experience allowing students to continue developing skills in the application of foundational genetic counseling knowledge to practice. Under direct supervision, students spend 24 hours/week in a genetics service setting (patient care, industry, etc.). Clinical rotation IV allows students to demonstrate continued progress in the acquisition of Practice Based Competencies and obtain cases for ABGC certification eligibility (logbook cases may not be available at all sites).

Instructor(s): Vinaya Murthy

Group discussion of counseling and professional issues arising during students’ clinical rotations. Active, student-driven discussion is facilitated by a genetic counselor and allows students to share, integrate and process their training experiences. Discussion topics will be derived from case material students bring to the group, prompted by the facilitator or open-ended. Emphasis will be placed on supporting continued development of genetic counseling skills and professional identity.

Instructor(s): Summer Segal

Group discussion of counseling and professional issues arising during students’ clinical rotations. Active, student-driven discussion is facilitated by a genetic counselor and allows students to share, integrate and process their training experiences. Discussion topics will be derived from case material students bring to the group, prompted by the facilitator or open-ended. Emphasis will be placed on supporting continued development of genetic counseling skills and professional identity.

Instructor(s): Kanchi Barfiwala

Group discussion of counseling and professional issues arising during students’ clinical rotations. Active, student-driven discussion is facilitated by a genetic counselor and allows students to share, integrate and process their training experiences. Discussion topics will be derived from case material students bring to the group, prompted by the facilitator or open-ended. Emphasis will be placed on supporting continued development of genetic counseling skills and professional identity.

Instructor(s): Cynthia Morgan

Integrating genomic medicine into healthcare is becoming standard practice. Insight into the fundamentals of the U.S. reimbursement systems is critical for any genetics provider to maximize payments and to assist patients in navigating options. This mini-course provides an introduction to public versus private payer systems; billing and reimbursement; coding; authorizations and appeals. Additionally, we will also explore the impact of policy differences on access and costs.