THE FIELD OF GENETIC COUNSELING

Genetic Counseling is a dynamic, challenging and rapidly growing subspecialty within the field of human genetics. Graduate study in genetic counseling combines course work in molecular genetics, medical genetics, and counseling techniques with mentored clinical internships. This course of study provides trainees with a broad knowledge base in basic, translational, and applied genetics that is essential to their success as genetic counselors over the course of their professional careers. Graduates of genetic counseling training programs receive a Master of Science. Genetic counselors work in a variety of settings, including adult, pediatric, and prenatal genetics clinics; specialty clinics (e.g. cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and cancer genetics); public health genetics programs; human genetics research; public policy; the biotechnology industry and human genetics education.