  |
|
Program Objectives and Requirements :
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
1. To provide a balanced program of study integrating courses in molecular genetics, human and medical genetics, genetic counseling, psychosocial and family counseling and biomedical ethics with first hand diagnostic laboratory and clinical genetics experiences. In addition, the program will afford all students experience in the clinical research arena.
2. To provide the student with extensive direct patient contact in a variety of clinical placements so that the student acquires experience with a diverse patient population dealing with a wide variety of genetic concerns. Moreover, through these experiences, the student will gain an appreciation of how the practicing genetic counselor functions in different work settings.
3. To prepare students at the Master of Science level for entering the profession of genetic counseling upon graduation.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
1. The program director will serve as the major graduate advisor for all students enrolled in the genetic counseling program. Study plans, research projects, and exam committees must be approved by the program director. Students must present a formal plan of study to the program director by Fall Semester of Year II that involves the following:
a) A list of all courses required by the set curriculum as well as any electives taken;
b) A plan for meeting the minimum degree requirements of 30 total credits, including 14 in the genetics major and 6 credits in a related field within 2 academic years;
c) A complete plan of the Plan B research/capstone project including all paper work for the IRB human subjects committee if applicable.
2. Students are required by the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling to maintain a 3.0/4.0 minimum GPA. Should a student's GPA drop below a 3.0 average at any time during the course of their program, that student will be placed on academic probation and given one semester to bring their GPA up to 3.0. Students failing to do so, thus earning a GPA of less than 3.0 for 2 consecutive semesters, will be dismissed from the program. A grade of incomplete earned in any course must be made up by the time of graduation. Students will not be allowed to carry an incomplete for any course for more than two semesters.
3. Students will be assigned diagnostic laboratory and clinical genetic counseling rotations as follows:
Year I: in each semester of the first year, there will be time specified that will involve two 15-week rotations for a designated lab and clinical observation time. Students will commit to two mornings per week (Tuesday and Thursday) for a minimum of 100 hours per rotation. Required hours will be arranged by the supervisor of the specific rotation and may exceed the minimum. Students will register for credit under GCD 8993 (directed studies) in each semester. These three rotations should be taken A-F. Students must receive a grade of B or better in order to continue in the program. Students observing in the clinical setting in the first year will be required to take family and medical histories and prepare for some cases. The rotation supervisor will discuss the actual requirements of the specific clinical site.
The course Genetic Counseling in Practice (GCD 8912, Fall Semester, Year I) provides the essential skills students need to perform in the clinical setting. All students must earn a satisfactory grade on the final exam for this class in order to continue in the program. This examination will involve a case preparation and the clinical analysis of a case study demonstrated in a role play situation. The student’s performance on this examination will be evaluated by practicing genetic counselors from the program faculty and will be graded Pass/Fail. Students earning a passing grade will be permitted to continue on into the clinical training component of their program. Students not passing this examination will present a plan of study to an academic review committee convened by the program. This committee will consist of the program director, the clinical supervisor for the student’s first clinical rotation and one other genetic counselor who is on faculty for the program. Students will be expected to specify a strategy of how these skills will be gained to the committee. Students not able to demonstrate the necessary will be dismissed from the program.
Year II: summer, fall, and spring semesters will consist of four clinical genetic counseling rotations in designated clinic sites approved for the acquisition of logbook cases by the ABGC. Students will spend about 20 hours per week for 10 weeks amounting to a minimum of 200 hours in each rotation. Required hours will be arranged by the supervisor of the specific rotation and may exceed the minimum. Students will register for credit under GCD 8993 (Directed studies) and the program director will serve as faculty. All four rotations must be taken A-F. Registering S/N for these rotations is not permitted. Students must receive a grade of B or better in each rotation in order to continue in the program. Please note: a grade of C or less in any one of the rotations places a student on academic probation. Students earning a C or less in one rotation will need to present a plan of study to an academic review committee convened by the program. This committee will consist of the program director, the clinical supervisor for the student’s problem clinical rotation and one other genetic counselor who is on faculty for the program. Students will be expected to specify a strategy of how these skills will be gained to the committee. Students not able to demonstrate the necessary skills, as determined and documented by program faculty, will be dismissed from the program. Should a student receive a grade of C or less in two of his or her rotations, the student will need to petition the academic review committee in order to continue in the program. Students demonstrating an impairment that interferes with their ability to perform in the clinical setting will be dismissed from the program.
4. The academic advisory committee is a standing committee of the program. This committee will review student progress yearly. Students will receive written feedback from each review with recommendations for continued progress and requirements for graduation if needed.
5. Students will select a Plan B project during their first year. These will mostly involve clinical research or capstone projects. Students, with their project supervisor, will set the goals and objectives of the project. A Plan B final paper summarizing the project is due one month prior to the date of the final oral exam. A draft of the final paper will be submitted for review to the project supervisor and graduate advisor on or before April 5th if the student intends to graduate by early May of that year. The paper should be written in a manuscript format using the guidelines for the Journal of Genetic Counseling or another appropriate journal.
6. Students are required by the program to keep an internal log involving a detailed account of all patient encounters experienced throughout their clinical rotations in the program. Internal logbook forms will be provided to the student at the time of their first clinical rotation. In addition, students are required by the American Board of Genetic Counseling to keep a log of patients with whom they have had primary counseling experiences. This log must involve at least 50 entries and demonstrate a wide variety of counseling experiences. This log must be submitted for review at the time of the final oral exam.
7. All students must pass a final oral examination. The student’s advisor will suggest the examination committee members and final approval will be given by the director of graduate studies in the graduate Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics program. The committee will examine the student on the coursework taken as a graduate student, the Plan B project and the clinical experience gained in the practicum rotations. The student's plan B project supervisor will be invited to participate in the final oral examination.
8. Students are expected to complete the program in 2 academic years (including the Summer Session following the first year). Students unable to complete the program within this timeframe may petition the program advisory committee. Extensions will be considered only in the most extraordinary circumstances.
GRADUATE PROGRAM IN GENETIC COUNSELING
CURRICULUM
This is a full time, two year Master of Science program. The main objective of the program is to provide students with the academic expertise and clinical skills necessary to enter the profession of Genetic Counseling. The program of study for genetic counseling integrates selected course work with first hand diagnostic genetics laboratory and clinical genetics experiences. The program follows the University of Minnesota Master's Degree Plan B. Each student is required to complete a Plan B project, thereby gaining experience in the clinical research arena. Graduates will hold a Master of Science degree through the graduate program in the department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development (major area in genetics), with an emphasis of study in Genetic Counseling.
This program curriculum meets the Master of Science degree requirements of the University of Minnesota Graduate School and those of the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). The program is fully accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. All graduates will be eligible to apply to the ABGC for active candidate status upon graduation. The starred (*) courses listed on the curriculum are required and should be taken in the semester designated. A list of some appropriate electives is included with the curriculum and may be taken with advisor approval. Students may choose up to 2 electives from Bioethics, Family Social Science or another relevant field reflecting personal interest. The curriculum is structured so that most of the course work takes place in the first year, leaving more open time during the second year for clinical experience. Students will not make major changes in the curriculum without advisor approval. Information on the clinical internship rotations is included with this curriculum. Students will be placed in 2 laboratory/clinical observation experiences during the first year and 4 clinical genetic counseling internships during the second year. Students will complete a minimum of 200 hours of laboratory and clinical observation in the first year and a minimum of 800 hours of direct clinical genetics experience during the second year. A minimum of 30 graduate credits with at least 14 credits in the major area of study, a final oral examination as well as a plan B project paper are required for graduation. Students will present their completed log of a minimum of 50 clinical cases demonstrating their role of primary genetic counselor in each case at the time of their final oral examination.
CURRICULUM: YEAR I REQUIRED COURSES
FALL SEMESTER
* GCD 8131 Advanced Genetics 3 credits
* GCD 8912 Genetic Counseling in Practice 4 credits
* Psy 5137 Intro to Behavioral Genetics 3 credits
* GCD 8993 Directed Study – Clinical/Lab Rotation 2 credits
(A-F grade base only)
* Phar 5201 Health Sciences Applied Terminology 2 credits
SPRING SEMESTER
* GCD 8073 Advanced Human Genetics 3 credits
* GCD 8920 First Year Special Topics Seminar 2 credits
(A/F grade base only)
* Phsl 5100 Systems Physiology 4 credits
* PubH 5040 Dying & Death in Contemporary Society 2 credits
or
* CSpH 5301 Cultures, Faith Traditions, & Health Care 2 credits
* GCD XXX Genetic Counseling Research Class 1 credit
* GCD 8993 Directed Study – Clinical/Lab Rotation 2 credits
(A-F grade base only)
NOTE: The course Genetic Counseling in Practice (GCD 8912, Fall Semester, Year I) provides the essential skills students need to perform in the clinical setting. All students must earn a satisfactory grade on the final exam for this class in order to continue in the program. This examination will involve a case preparation and the clinical analysis of a case study demonstrated in a role play situation. The student’s performance on this examination will be evaluated by practicing genetic counselors from the program faculty and will be graded Pass/Fail. Students earning a passing grade will be permitted to continue on into the clinical training component of their program. Students not passing this examination will present a plan of study to an academic review committee convened by the program. This committee will consist of the program director, the clinical supervisor for the student’s first clinical rotation and one other genetic counselor who is on faculty for the program. Students will be expected to specify a strategy of how these skills will be gained to the committee. Students not able to demonstrate the necessary for performing in the clinical setting will be dismissed from the program.
Additional Activities:
Plan B Research/Capstone Project:
All students must complete a plan B research or capstone project that is scholarly in quality. Students will present the outcome of their project at a final oral examination attended by the members of the examination committee. During the first year of study, students will meet with the program director to discuss their interest in a particular area for research. The program will have suggestions for research or capstone projects in which students may choose to participate or a student may present an idea of their own for consideration. Once a project is selected, the student will be assigned a research supervisor with special expertise in that area of study as well as a graduate examining committee. Together the student and the research supervisor will work on the design of the overall research project, the timeline for completing the project, the necessary paperwork for human subjects review (if indicated), and the eventual analysis of data. Students should plan to meet with all of the members of their committee for input into their project plan. Students should plan on spending approximately 5 hours per week during the second year of study working on their research. Students are required to present their project at one Institute of Human Genetics Research club meeting and prepare a Plan B final paper summarizing the project. The final paper is due one month prior to the date of the final oral exam. The student, along with their research supervisor and advisor, will set this date. A draft of the final paper must be submitted for review to the project supervisor, the members of the student’s graduate committee, and graduate program advisor on or before April 5th if the student intends to graduate by early May of that year. Students are strongly encouraged to submit an abstract of their research for presentation to the National Society of Genetic Counselors or American Society of Human Genetics annual meetings. All papers must be submitted in manuscript format using the guidelines for the Journal of Genetic Counseling or another appropriate journal. Papers will include a review of the literature as an appendix to the manuscript. For grading purposes, students will sign up for GCD 8994 during their first semester of their second year under an X grade base and a final grade will be submitted to the graduate school upon passing the final oral examination.
Seminars and Journal Clubs:
First year students are required to attend the weekly Institute of Human Genetics research club meetings on Thursdays and the Genetic Counseling Journal Club on Tuesdays. Schedules of these and other available conferences should be obtained from the program director by the beginning of each semester.
YEAR 1 LABORATORY/CLINICAL ROTATIONS
All students will register for 2 credits in GCD 8993 (directed study) in both semesters of the first year. This directed study is the laboratory and clinical observation rotations. During the first year, students will complete two rotations each of 15 weeks duration. The first rotation will involve a combined experience of 15 weeks duration in the medical cytogenetics and the molecular diagnostics laboratories. The other rotation will involve 5 weeks in the newborn screen lab at the Minnesota Department of Health and 10 weeks of clinical observation at assigned clinical sites. Each rotation will involve about 10 hours of work per week although the actual required hours will be arranged by the supervisor of the rotation and may exceed this minimum. The main objectives of these rotations are to help students gain an awareness of the technical aspects involved in the analysis of a clinical specimen and develop an appreciation for the complexity of various genetic tests and their interpretation. In addition, through the clinical observation experiences, students will gain an appreciation for the role of the genetic counselor in the clinical setting and begin to acquire clinical skills. These rotations must be taken with an A-F grade base. All students must complete laboratory rotations in cytogenetics, newborn screening and molecular diagnostics unless they come to the program with significant experience in one or more of these areas. When that is the case, alternative rotations will be arranged to better meet the student's individual needs.
First Year Clinical Laboratory and Clinical Observation Rotations:
&Mac183; Medical cytogenetics laboratory combined with the molecular diagnostics laboratory at the Fairview University Medical Center for a total of 15 weeks.
&Mac183; Newborn screening lab at the MN Department of Health for a total of 5 weeks combined with 10 weeks of genetic counseling observation in an assigned clinic.
SUMMER SESSION
During the summer between the first and second year of the program, students will begin their first clinical internship rotation where the student will have patient responsibilities. This rotation will be a full 10 weeks long with the expectation that students will spend between 2-3 days per week in the clinic. The minimum time in the clinic will be 20 hours per week but will ultimately be set by the clinical supervisor and may exceed the minimum. The grade for this rotation will be averaged along with the grade for the fall rotation. This average of the two grades will be turned in to the graduate school as a grade on the student’s transcript in the fall of the second year of study. A grade of A or B is required in each of the clinical internships in order to complete the clinical component of the program for graduation. A grade of C in one rotation combined with an A in another will not suffice.
Students earning a C or less in any rotation are placed immediately on academic probation and will need to present a plan of study to an academic review committee convened by the program. This committee will consist of the program director, the clinical supervisor for the student’s problem clinical rotation and one other genetic counselor who is on faculty for the program. Students will be expected to specify a strategy of how these skills will be gained to the committee. Students not able to demonstrate the necessary will be dismissed from the program. Should a student receive a grade of C or less in two of his or her rotations, the student will need to petition the academic review committee in order to continue in the program.
There will be 4-5 weeks during the summer (some of July and all of August), following this first clinical rotation where students will have a break from their studies. Students are permitted to arrange for additional clinical experience outside of the University of Minnesota genetic counseling program. The program director will assist anyone interested in pursuing this option. Students may also take this time off as vacation.
CURRICULUM: YEAR II REQUIRED COURSES
FALL SEMESTER
* E Psy 8501 Counseling Pre-Practicum 3 credits
* GCD 8913 Psychosocial Issues in Genetic Counseling 3 credits
* GCD 8993 Directed Study – Clinical Internship 5 credits
(A-F grade base only)
* GCD 8994 Research Project Paper 2 credits
SPRING SEMESTER
* GCD 8914 Ethical & Legal Issues in Genetic 3 credits
Counseling
* GCD 8993 Directed Study – Clinical Internship 5 credits
(A-F grade base only)
* GCD 8994 Research Project Paper 2 credits
Students may select 1-2 electives during their second year although this is not necessary for graduation. All students will register for GCD 8993 for 5 credits in each semester. This directed study is the clinical internship rotation and must be taken for a grade (A-F). Grades from the first two rotations will be averaged together and submitted to the student’s transcript at the end of the fall semester and grades from the second two rotations will be averaged together and submitted to the student’s transcript at the end of the spring semester. A grade of A or B is required in each of the four clinical internships in order to complete the clinical component of the program for graduation. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 200 clinical hours per rotation (about 20 hours per week). Final oral exams will be given to all that meet the course and clinical requirements by the spring of the second year. Final oral exams are required for graduation.
Related Clinical Experience:
Students will be required to attend weekly clinic conferences and genetics rounds as related to their rotation participation. Each center will have designated conferences and clinical rounds. Students are encouraged to attend relevant conferences not required by their rotation and seminars and lectures given by University and invited staff. Students are encouraged to participate in clinical projects such as publications and data management. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in community service seminars providing educational information to high school students and health professionals.
CLINICAL INTERNSHIP ROTATIONS
During the program, students are required to complete 4 clinical internship rotations. These will be assigned. Each rotation will be 10 weeks in duration meaning that they will not correlate to the start and finish of every semester time. Schedules with exact start and finish dates will be given out at the beginning of each year. Students will spend a minimum of 200 hours of work in each rotation for a minimum total of 800 clinical hours. Required hours will be arranged by the supervisor of each placement and may exceed the minimum. Students are expected to earn a grade of A or B in these clinical rotations. Please note: A grade of C or less in any one of the rotations places a student on academic probation. Students earning a C or less in one rotation will need to present a plan of study to an academic review committee which will be convened by the program director. This committee will assess the student’s strategy of how the skills that are determined to be deficient by the clinical supervisor(s) will be gained. Should a student receive a grade of C or less in two of his or her rotations, the student will need to petition the academic advisory committee in order to continue in the program. For reporting purposes, grades from the summer rotation and the fall rotation will be averaged and turned into the graduate school at the end of the fall semester. Grades from the winter rotation and the spring rotation will be averaged and turned into the graduate school at the end of the spring semester. Upon completion of each rotation, student performance will be graded and evaluated independently by the clinical supervisor(s) of each setting. These evaluations will become a part of the student’s permanent file. Final oral exams will be given only to those students who meet all of the course and clinical requirements by the spring of the second year. Final oral exams are required for graduation.
CLINICAL ROTATION SESSIONS:
During the summer between the first and second year of the program, students will begin their first clinical internship rotation. This rotation will be a full 10 weeks long with the expectation that students will spend between 2-3 days per week in the clinic. The minimum time in the clinic will be 20 hours per week but will ultimately be set by the clinical supervisor and may exceed the minimum. The second rotation will begin at the time classes begin for Fall Semester and last for 10 weeks. The exact start and finish times for the third and fourth rotations will vary according to holidays and spring break time and will be set during the fall of each year. Students will be required to keep a detailed logbook. Students will be able to document primary counseling involvement in a minimum of 50 cases. Patient encounters and issues will be discussed in the genetic counseling classes. The main objective of these internships is to provide students with first hand practical genetic counseling experience.
Second Year Clinical Rotation Placements:
1. Abbott Northwestern Hospital Perinatal Center and Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
2. Centracare Women’s and Children’s clinic in St. Cloud.
3. Fairview University Southdale and Ridges Perinatal Centers.
4. Fairview University Medical Center General Genetics and Familial Cancer Clinics.
5. Fairview University Medical Center Metabolic Diseases and PKU Clinics.
6. Fairview University Medical Center Neuromuscular Diseases, movement disorders, and Coagulation Clinics.
7. Fairview University Medical Center General Genetics, Down syndrome Clinic and Prenatal Diagnosis Center.
8. The Mayo Clinic General Genetics Services.
9. Minneapolis Children’s Hospital and Gillette Hospital,
10. North Memorial Health Care Center Perinatal Clinic and the Hubert Humphrey Cancer Clinics at North Memorial Health Care Center.
11. Park Nicollet Medical Center Perinatal Clinic.
12. United Hospital of St. Paul Perinatal Center and General Genetics Service at St. Paul Children’s Hospital.
13. Unity Hospital Cancer Center.
EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE COURSE ELECTIVES
FSoS 5029 Counseling Skills Practicum I 4 credits
FSoS 5030 Counseling Skills Practicum II 4 credits
SoS 8001 Conceptual Frameworks in the Family 3 credits
PubH 5381 Genetic Epidemiology 4 credits
E Psy 5609 Family-Professional Planning for 3 credits
Persons with Severe Handicaps
E Psy 5263 Statistics for Preprofessional Students 3 credits
E Psy 5261 Intro to Statistical Methods 3 credits
Pub H 5610 Principles of Maternal and Child Health 3 credits
Law School Genetics and Assisted Reproduction: 2 credits
Law and Ethics
Law School Biotechnology and Law 2 credits
