MSGC Curriculum Descriptions
Course Director: Sarah Sha, CGC
Semester: Fall I
Course Description: Mendelian and non-mendelian inheritance, population and quantitative genetics, the basis of human variation and disease susceptibility, family history and pedigree analysis, human reproduction, clinical features and natural history of a broad range of genetic disorders, complex genetic common disorders and syndromes of unknown etiology, dysmorphology, diagnostic process
Course Goal: Students will understand topics related to the basic science of medical and human genetics and how it applies to human diseases.
Course Director: Omar Abdul-Rahman, MD
Semester: Spring I
Course Description: Mendelian and non-mendelian inheritance, population and quantitative genetics, the basis of human variation and diseases susceptibility, family history and pedigree analysis, human reproduction, clinical features and natural history of a broad range of genetic disorders, complex common disorders and syndromes of unknown etiology, dysmorphology, diagnostic process
Course Goal: Students will understand topics related to the basic science of medical and human genetics and how it applies to human diseases.
Course Director: Michelle Primiano MS CGC®
Semester: Fall I
Course Description: This two-semester course is designed for first year genetic counseling students to explore the process of genetic counseling and all aspects of case management. The course is designed to provide practical training in counseling and communication skills. Students are introduced to practical skills, knowledge and resources necessary for case preparation and medical documentation. Students practice contracting, eliciting personal and family medical histories, and basic methodology for calculating genetic risk assessments and communicating risk. This class will emphasize topics important to practical applications of genetic counseling with a focus on gaining practical experience using hypothetical client scenarios at various stages of the life cycle.
Course Goal: Students will learn the foundations for evidenced based practice in genetic counseling. Learners will appreciate the components of the genetic counseling interaction. Students will understand the fundamental skills to formulate a case preparation plan. Students will develop the communication skills necessary for administering risk assessments, genetics education, test education and informed consent for genetic testing.
Course Director: Michelle Primiano MS CGC®
Semester: Spring I
Course Description: This is the second half of a two-semester course is designed for first year genetic counseling students to explore the process of genetic counseling and all aspects of case management. The course is designed to provide practical training in counseling and communication skills. As part of MGC004 students further develop practical skills, knowledge and resources necessary for case preparation and medical documentation. Students practice contracting, eliciting personal and family medical histories, and methodology for calculating genetic risk assessments and communicating risk across the various genetic practice specialties. This class will emphasize topics important to practical applications of genetic counseling with a focus on gaining practical experience using hypothetical client scenarios at various stages of the life cycle.
Course Goal: Students will strengthen their foundation for evidenced based practice in genetic counseling across the various genetic practice specialties. Students will practice the skills necessary to tailor genetic counseling skills across the various specialties covered in this course. Students will refine their communication skills necessary for administering risk assessments, genetics education, test education and result discussion and case management.
Course Director: Navpreet Kaur, CGC
Semester: Fall I
Course Description: This course will provide an overview of the process through which humans grow and develop, and how this applies to genetic counseling practice and beyond. The first portion of the course will review the normal development of the human embryo from the earliest stages to the time of birth. We will review reproductive physiology, description of the earliest stages of embryological differentiation then the development of the individual organ systems. Students will develop an understanding of the pathophysiology of clinically important congenital abnormalities and malformation syndrome. Students will be introduced to the role of teratogens and the intrauterine environment, contribution of genetic factors on perinatal health. We will discuss several complex malformation syndromes to allow insight into the consequences of disrupting normal synergy between different organ systems during development. In the second half of the course, we will delve into prenatal genetic counseling indications and different testing strategies. Students will gain an insight into the purpose and goals of prenatal screening and testing and how this impacts pregnancy management. We will also touch upon the ethical and social components of perinatal management and genetic counseling throughout the course.
Course Goal: To inform learners the process through which humans grow and develop, and how this applies to prenatal genetic counseling practice and beyond
Course Director: Shenela Lakhani, MSc, CGC, CCGC
Semester: Fall I
Course Description: Presentation and discussion of ethical issues in genetic testing in clinic and research. Discussions will include principles relevant to research methods and study design.
Course Goal: Students will develop a foundation of knowledge on the research process and learn to act in accordance with the ethical, legal, and philosophical principles and values of the genetic counseling profession. Students will apply their knowledge to different patient types and will learn skills necessary for the successful completion of their Master’s Thesis Project.
Course Director: Amanda Laterza Ozarowski, CGC
Semester: Fall I
Course Description: Theoretical foundations for the contemporary practice of genetic counseling. Topics include counseling theory and psychosocial counseling techniques, principles of communication and interviewing techniques.
Course Goal: Students will learn the foundations for evidenced based practice in genetic counseling. Learners will appreciate the components of the genetic counseling interaction. Students will understand the fundamental skills to formulate a case preparation plan. Students will develop the communication skills necessary for administering risk assessments, genetics education, test education and informed consent for genetic testing.
Course Director: Francesca Tubito-Massarano MS CGC®
Semester: Spring I
Course Description: Advanced theoretical foundations for the contemporary practice of genetic counseling and the role of the genetic counselor in the health care delivery system. Including basic concepts of normal and abnormal psychology, normal human psychological development, interviewing and counseling principles and skills, crisis intervention, family dynamics and interventions, principles and techniques of assessment and professional ethics, conduct and development. Instructional and learning activities focus on the use of the content and skills in multiple contexts and at multiple levels of complexity.
Course Goal: Students be able to adapt the foundations for evidenced based practice learned in MGC007 to the genetic counseling encounter. Students will analyze and evaluate their skills to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings experienced during the learning process with various topics to develop a reflective practice.
Course Director: Ji-Sun Kim, CGC
Semester: Spring I
Course Description: This course offers an overview of emerging molecular testing technologies and develops technical skills to understand the application of bioinformatics principles to sequencing data and variant analysis. Designed as an introductory course for first-year students, it provides foundational knowledge of rapidly evolving technologies and the variant interpretation process in genetics. Completion of this course is a prerequisite for MSGC 5012, Precision Medicine in the Era of Genomics, offered in Fall II.
Course Goal: Students will become equipped with the knowledge, technical, and critical thinking skills necessary for processing molecular methods and arriving at variant curation via bioinformatics process. By gaining the knowledge on the techniques of molecular testing, bioinformatics tools, databases, guidelines, functional studies, students can appreciate the process of variant curation and how it applies to genetic counseling.
Course Director: Sarah Kane, CGC
Semester: Spring I
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the principles and practice of genetic counseling for hereditary cancer syndromes. The course will cover in detail common and rare hereditary cancer syndromes testing strategies, and the psychosocial and ethical aspects of genetic counseling for hereditary cancer syndromes.
Course Goal: To inform learners about topics in cancer genetics including common and rare hereditary cancer syndromes, the role of somatic analysis in hereditary cancer risk assessment, and the evolving psychosocial and ethical considerations in cancer genetic counseling.
Course Director: Shenela Lakhani, CGC, CCGC
Semester: Spring II
Course Description: This course looks at current and relevant issues related to the professional development of genetic counselors and the field of genetic counseling, including skills required for job applications and interviews, board exam preparedness, education and the transition into careers related to genetic counseling.
Course Goal: At the end of this course, students should have a strong grasp on the current landscape of the genetic counseling profession, a toolkit of skills to help with board examination preparation. Students should feel prepared about joining the workforce.
Course Director: Ji-Sun Kim, CGC
Semester: Fall II
Course Description: This course is a continuation of topics discussed in MSGC 5009, and provides an overview of personalized medicine with an emphasis on genomic health. Students will discuss the advancement of treatment in different medical sub-specialties using genomic data. Subspecialties include but are not limited to oncology, reproductive medicine, and pharmacogenomics. Students will be presented clinical cases of personalized medicine in practice and will be introduced their ethical, legal and economic implications.
Course Goal: Students will be familiarized with advancement of genomic medicine, focusing on personalized medicine in sub-specialty fields and their influence on the evolving genetic counseling practice. Students will be introduced and are expected to gain insight on our health care system, disparities across health and society and be able to interpret policies and laws related to genetics and medicine.