Graduate study in genetic counseling combines coursework, clinical internships, research activities, and varied professional development opportunities.
Our twenty one month program, composed of five consecutive semesters, provides trainees with a broad knowledge base in basic, translational, and applied genetics. Didactic and clinical training occur simultaneously in each academic semester allowing students to immediately begin applying the concepts they are discussing in their coursework to their clinical training.
The curriculum consists of three main components that support the development of critical thinkers with integrated analytic and clinical skills. In addition to the 21 month masters program, tThere is also a three year dual degree program with the School of Public Health. (see bottom of this page for more information).
Coursework provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the medical, scientific, psychosocial impacts, and ethical aspects of human genetics and supports the development of critical thinkers with integrated analytical and clinical skills. Classroom training is taught by experienced clinicians, covers both applied and theoretical aspects of genetic counseling practice, and is highly interactive, utilizing varied educational approaches including case-based learning, role-plays with peers and standardized patients, active learning, and supervision groups. Our core curriculum also takes full advantage of our affiliation with a basic science department and provides students with extensive training in molecular and applied medical genetics.
Small class sizes allow individual attention to each student’s needs and support a nurturing academic environment. Additional electives provide students with an opportunity to train in a wide variety of complementary disciplines (public health, psychology, social work, and nursing).
- Molecular Genetics, Cellular, and Organismal Genetics - HG545 (3 credits)
- Anatomy and Embryology for Genetic Counselors - HG647 (3 credits)
- Genetic Counseling I: Clinical Skills/Peer Supervision Group - HG640 (3 credits)
- Reproductive Genetics - HG641 (2 credits)
- Research Skills - HG642(1 credit)
- Student Seminar - HG821 (1 credit)
- Clinical Internship - HG659(1 credit)
- Genetic in Human Biology and Disease HG546 (4 credits)
- Genetic Counseling II: Placing the Client Front and Center/Peer Supervision Group - HG648 (3 credits)
- Pediatric Genetics & Interdisciplinary Care - HG644 (1 credit)
- Cancer Genetics - HG645 (2 credits)
- Applied Clinical Genetics - HG646 (1 credit)
- Clinical Internship - HG659 (2 credits)
- Research Skills - HG643 (1 credit)
- Student Seminar - HG822 (1 credit)
- Elective
* No course work and no tuition. Students complete two seven-week full time rotations and also work on their research thesis.
- Medical Genetics - HG650 (1 credit)
- Genetic Counseling III: Advanced Counseling Skills/Peer Supervision Group - HG649 (3 credits)
- Death, Loss & Grief - SW617 (3 credits)
- Clinical Internship - HG659 (2 or 3 credits)
- Research - HG800 (3 credits)
- Elective
- Medical Genetics - HG651 (1 credit)
- Genetic Counseling IV: Professional Development/Peer Supervision Group - HG652 (3 credits)
- Clinical Internship - HG659 (2 or 3 credits)
- Research - HG800 (3 credits)
- Electives
Clinical training is an integral part of the U-M Medical School curriculum and is structured to provide students with increasing counseling responsibilities across training. Our clinical training covers the entire current scope of practice of genetic and genomic medicine. One-on-one supervision by highly experienced genetic counselors ensures that our students are ready to take on clinical responsibilities with competence and confidence.
Our students benefit from a well-established, diverse clinical community. The first genetics clinic in the world was founded at the U-M Medical School in 1941. Today, the U-M Medical School houses nationally respected clinics in pediatrics, adult medicine, cancer, prenatal, neurology, cardiovascular, biochemical, differences of sex development, and ophthalmic disciplines. Our genetics community includes a team of experienced, dedicated genetic counselors who serve as supervisors and mentors in clinical training. In addition, an individualized clinical training plan is developed for each student. Students regularly meet with program faculty to evaluate their progress.
Clinical training starts in the first semester and continues throughout the entire program. The opportunity to take on clinical responsibilities early in training enables our students to develop independence and confidence as clinicians and to gain exposure to multiple clinical settings. Our small class size affords all of our students with multiple opportunities to work in-depth with patients and families with a wide variety of genetic conditions. As a result, our students are able to develop a rich clinical logbook that demonstrates comprehensive training.
University of Michigan Fetal Diagnostic Center
University of Michigan Pediatric Genetics Clinic
University of Michigan Genetics Outreach Program
University of Michigan Medical Genetics Clinic
University of Michigan Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Clinic
University of Michigan Cancer Genetics Clinic
University of Michigan Ophthalmic Genetics
University of Michigan Biochemical Genetics
University of Michigan Cardiovascular Genetics
University of Michigan Disorders of Sexual Development Clinic
University of Michigan Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic
University of Michigan Comprehensive Hemoglobinopathy Clinic
Local Off Campus Clinical Training Sites
The first semester introduces students to clinical training with the opportunity to observe cases in a variety of clinical settings. Students observe cases on a rotating weekly schedule under the supervision of genetic counselors or other medical staff. This is an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with different components of the genetic counseling session, observe different counseling styles, and compare and contrast how different clinical sites operate.
In the second semester students rotate through one clinical site and begin to take on case responsibilities. These responsibilities may include case preparation, including review of the medical records and literature, obtaining family, medical and pregnancy histories, providing inheritance counseling, presenting cases to the medical staff, participating in case conferences, and composing counseling letters.
The third semester (summer) provides students with extensive clinical training and increasing case responsibilities. Over the summer, students participate in two seven week full time internships (280 hrs each). One of these internships is typically in the state of Michigan and the other is generally located outside of the state of Michigan. Our summer internships provide students with the opportunity to train in varied geographic settings, to work with novel patient populations, and to pursue individual clinical interests.
The fourth semester (fall year 2) includes another clinical internship, during which students assume full responsibility for cases.
During the fifth semester, students are given a fair amount of flexibility in their final clinical internship. Some students complete a traditional clinical internship with full responsibility for assigned cases while others have the option of completing a Designer Rotation that is tailored to a student’s interests.
If a student’s clinical training and research thesis are in good standing, students have the option of participating in a designer rotation during their final semester. These optional rotations allow students to work in a wide variety of clinical settings and to interact with clinicians from multiple specialties and patients facing diverse clinical situations. The focus of the rotation is determined by a student’s interests and can include non-traditional insights into clinical settings they have already worked in or emerging areas of genetic and genomic medicine. These customized training experiences provide students with novel perspectives on the practice of genetic counseling and roles for genetic counselors.
All students are required to complete a research thesis. Our research program is driven by the interests of the individual student and takes advantage on a wide variety of genetics and genomics initiatives and collaborators on the University of Michigan campus and beyond. Students develop an individualized scholarly project with mentorship and support. This research thesis allows students to enhance their intellectual development and critical thinking skills. Each student’s thesis grows out of their own interests and, therefore, each student’s research experience and “lessons learned” are unique.
In previous years, students’ research has focused on areas including but not limited to: the practice of genetic counseling, healthcare disparities, public policy, patient and clinician education, reproductive rights, gender-inclusive care and direct to consumer testing. Students present and publish their results in local, regional, and national forums.
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Genetic Counseling / Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Heath Behavior and Health Education is a truly unique program that provides students with an innovative learning experience that includes academic training, research skill development, and clinical instruction. The goals of the program are to: 1. promote health, prevent disease, and manage chronic illness; 2. understand the genetic and genomic basis of common, complex diseases; 3. understand how our genome interacts with social, environmental, and structural factors to influence health outcomes; 4. help individuals, families, and communities understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease; and 5. guide the evolving practice of genomic medicine and and public health genomics.
The program is available through the Genetic Counseling Program (GCP), Department of Human Genetics (DHG) in the Medical School, and the Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity (HBHE). It is also possible to complete a dual degree in other disciplines within the School of Public Health such as Health Management and Policy.
This 3-year course of study provides students with academic, research, and clinical training.
Prospective students must apply separately to both the Genetic Counseling Program and the Health Behavior and Health Equity, and be accepted into both in order to enroll in the dual-degree program.
Acceptance into one program does not guarantee acceptance into the other. While students complete requirements for both Genetic Counseling (58 credit hours) and Public Health (48 credit hours) master's degree programs, the overlapping perspectives in genetic counseling and public health allow students to dual count some of these required credit hours. Students have some flexibility in the sequencing of their program, which is designed in consultation with the program directors. Students typically spend the first year based in Genetic Counseling, the second year in Public Health, with combined training in the third year.
Additional information about applying to the dual degree program can be found in our Program Prospectus.
The Michigan campus is home to a wide variety of other academic programs that are relevant to the practice of genetic counseling and genomic medicine. Interested students can develop a student-initiated dual degree program that would allow them to pursue a novel interdisciplinary program, resulting in an MS in Genetic Counseling and a second graduate degree in the student’s field of interest. Please speak directly with the Program Director if this option is of interest to you.
