Coursework

Introduction to Genetic Counseling and Medical Communication

This course is designed to give students an introduction to the history and practice of genetic counseling. Genetic counseling skills, the genetic counseling process, family history elicitation and interpretation, contracting, communication, risk communication, adult learning, decision-making, introductory cultural and ethical aspects will all be covered in this class. This class builds the foundation for developing the core genetic counseling skills used in all specialty areas. Focus is on the core skills and not specifically on each specialty.

Medical Communication

This part of Introduction to Genetic Counseling offers an active-learning approach to the basic skills of communication. This is an opportunity to roleplay with standardized patients to practice basic communication skills. Interactions are videotaped, which allow the student to observe themselves in a clinical encounter and be more aware of their communication style, including verbal and non-verbal cues. This section also incorporates small-group, patient-instructor and peer-observation formats to encourage critical thinking and reflection. Introduction to Genetic Counseling and Medical Communication have been integrated in order to expand on concepts introduced in Introduction to Genetic Counseling and apply them in Medical Communication.

Research Methods

The first half of this course provides an overview of the basic principles of epidemiology, including population measures, study design and interpretation and evaluation of the quantitative literature. In the second part of the course, the student learns basic research methodology, including how to critically review the literature, develop a question/hypothesis, design a study (including quantitative and qualitative methods), identify variables, process and manage data, choose the correct statistical tests, design surveys, and present research data. There is also instruction in navigating the IRB process. This class serves as a foundation to help students develop their independent research project.

Clinical Practicum

The first quarter of Clinical Practicum is an opportunity to observe the second-year students practice advanced counseling skills. This will allow the students to become used to role plays and familiar with different counseling techniques. The focus of the roleplays are on advanced psychosocial counseling skills.

Principles of Medical Genetics I

This course is the first of a three-quarter series and provides the foundation and background in medical genetics essential for effective genetic counseling, including basic and complex principles of human heredity. The course utilizes problem-based learning scenarios, supplemented by lectures, reviews and examinations. The course will cover principles of cytogenetics, molecular technologies, modes of inheritance and principles of mathematical and population genetics.

Ancillary Meetings

Journal Club

Adult Genetics

This class will consider the various adult onset complex disorders, ways to obtain and interpret family history for complex adult conditions and specific genetic risk assessment approaches. The first section of the course covers the scientific, medical and psychosocial aspects of cancer genetics with an emphasis on breast, ovarian and colon cancer syndromes. Less common syndromes are covered through student initiated practice-based learning modules. The second section of the course concentrates on the genetics of common chronic disorders such as cardiac disease, diabetes and psychiatric disorders.

Principles of Medical Genetics II

The second in the three-quarter series, this course gives an overview of common genetic disorders and is primarily presented by experts in each area. Lectures focus on the medical approaches to clinical genetics, including embryology and dysmorphology, teratology and a variety of common genetic diseases. The application of medical and genetic information to genetic counseling of families is also addressed. As in the previous quarter, the course utilizes problem-based learning scenarios, supplemented by lectures, reviews and examinations.

Psychosocial Aspects of Genetic Counseling I

This is an introductory course and the first in a sequence on the psychosocial elements of genetic counseling. The course explores from infancy to adulthood how people react to and cope with genetic testing, diagnosis and living with a genetic condition. Both patient reactions and counselors reactions are discussed. In the second half of the class, various counseling theories and techniques and their uses in psychosocial counseling are discussed. Case materials and discussion are used to integrate human dynamics and counseling theory.

Clinical Rotation and Practicum

The genetic counseling practicum allows students to practice components of the genetic counseling session in a safe environment. During the winter quarter, the genetic counseling practicum focuses on communicating basic genetic information, and throughout the year it moves toward higher-level counseling skills. Roleplays are conducted with fellow students and faculty members.

Laboratory Course

All students are required to attend the Laboratory Course each week during the winter quarter. This course is directed by faculty from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Center for Genomics within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Students will become more familiar with molecular/genomic and cytogenetic laboratory techniques, variant interpretation, written components of a laboratory report and the role of the genetic counselor within the laboratory setting.

Ancillary Meetings

Journal Club

Psychosocial Aspects of Genetic Counseling II

This course focuses on the psychological and clinical aspects of genetic disease and illness presented in previous classes in more depth, as well as new topics, including theories, ethics and practical issues of disability. The class includes discussions and lectures, analysis of the literature, presentations by experts in the field and talks by individuals who have firsthand knowledge about living with a disability or illness, which allows students to integrate genetic counseling practice with theory.

Principles of Medical Genetics III

The goal of this course (the third in the series) is to educate the student on biochemical genetics, neurogenetics, adult-onset genetic disorders and the treatment of genetic disease. As with the previous two courses in the series, a combination of problem-based learning, lectures, reviews and examinations are utilized.

Clinical Rotation and Practicum

The genetic counseling practicum allows students to practice components of the genetic counseling session in a safe environment. During the spring quarter, the genetic counseling practicum focuses on basic psychosocial counseling skills such as empathy, attending skills, validation and reflection.

Ancillary Meetings

Journal Club

Research Project

Students continue to work on their research with their thesis committee. For more information, see the Thesis Project page.

Clinical Rotation

See Clinical Rotations for more information on summer rotations.

Advanced Genetic Counseling 

This class enhances counseling skills through formal case presentations followed by class discussion. Through the use of tape recordings, process notes, selected readings and verbal presentations, students share cases, which are critiqued by fellow students and faculty members. Emphasis is placed on specific genetic counseling issues selected by students and faculty members and alternative counseling strategies. In addition, emphasis is placed on application of theories and models learned in previous courses. Students will also observe community resources that may be utilized by genetic counseling clients and will prepare written reports. A final paper entails detailed exploration of a complex genetic counseling case not discussed in class from the perspective of the patient and counselor, raising related ethical, psychosocial or ethnocultural issues.

Research Project 

Students continue to work on a research project according to a timeline determined by the Research Oversight Committee and thesis committee.

Clinical Rotation and Clinical Practicum 

The genetic counseling practicum allows students to practice components of the genetic counseling session in a safe environment. During this quarter, students will practice more advanced counseling skills and the first-year students will observe.

Ancillary Meetings

Journal Club 

Professional Issues 

In this course, we cover current and future issues facing our profession, the genetics community as a whole and the public. Current social and ethical issues will be discussed. In addition, emphasis will be placed on public policy, alternate genetic service delivery models including direct to consumer testing, advances in molecular technology and testing, genomics and personalized medicine and professional issues such as billing and reimbursement, salary negotiations, networking, CV development and career development.

Clinical Rotation

Research Project 

Students continue to work on a research project. The research project culminates with a written thesis approved by the thesis committee, an oral defense and a formal research presentation at the student colloquium that precedes graduation.

Ancillary Meetings

Journal Club