The Program in Genetic Counseling is an innovative, 21-month Master of Science program that will prepare graduates to become a Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC®) through the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).
Program Mission & Objectives
The mission of the Program in Genetic Counseling at Washington University is to educate future generations of genetic counselors to serve the growing need for diverse, culturally humble, innovative genetic counselors serving patients, working in industry, and conducting research.
The objectives of our program are to provide a rigorous curriculum, broad and robust clinical experiences, and expert research guidance to graduate students who are well-prepared to fill the ever-expanding professional roles in which genetic counselors may be employed.
Curriculum Design
The program takes place over 21 months: Fall and Spring semesters in the 1st year, the intervening summer between 1st and 2nd year, and Fall and Spring semesters in the 2nd year.
Our students will take nine didactic courses which have been specifically developed for the program. The course content and pace will be driven specifically to accommodate the learning of this small cohort.
Our students will also enroll in two required and one elective course available to students in other WUSM training programs.
- “Genetics and Genomics of Disease” is also taken by predoctoral students in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences at WUSM.
- Our students also take one 1-credit course offered by the MS in Applied Health Behavior Research program at WUSM. Students who are conducting a quantitative research project will take “Introduction to SPSS” while students who conducting a qualitative research project will enroll in “Introduction to Qualitative Coding and Analysis.”
| Course Title | Course Director(s) | Credit Hours | Number of Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year Fall Semester | |||
| Introduction to Genetic Counseling I | Rachael Bradshaw, MS and Tomi Toler, MS | 4 | 14 |
| Clinical Genetics & Genomics I | Tomi Toler, MS and Marwan Shinawi, MD | 3 | 14 |
| Human Embryology (online course)* | DJ Lowrie Jr, PhD (Univ. of Cincinnati) | 2 | 17 self-paced lectures |
| Laboratory Genetic Counseling | Meagan Corliss, MS | 3 | 14 |
| Genetic Counseling Journal Club | Katherine King, MD | 1 | ~4 meetings |
| 1st Year Spring Semester | |||
| Introduction to Genetic Counseling II | Rachael Bradshaw, MS and Tomi Toler, MS | 4 | 14 |
| Clinical Genetics & Genomics II | Tomi Toler, MS and Marwan Shinawi, MD | 3 | 14 |
| Genetic Counseling Research Design & Ethics | Erin Linnenbringer, PhD, MS | 3 | 14 |
| Elective Course | Various (***see list below) | 2-3 | 14 *** |
| Genetic Counseling Journal Club | Katherine King, MD | 1 | ~4 meetings |
| 1st to 2nd Year Intervening Summer | |||
| Research Project I | Erin Linnenbringer, PhD, MS | 1 | 12 |
| Clinical Fieldwork Rotations I | Tomi Toler, MS | 4 | 12 |
| Introduction to Qualitative Coding and Analysis^ | Stephen Scroggins, PhD, MSPH | 1 | 5 |
| 2nd Year Fall Semester | |||
| Advanced Genetic Counseling I | Rachael Bradshaw, MS and Tomi Toler, MS | 4 | 14 |
| Genetics and Genomics of Disease | Timothy Schedl, PhD | 2 | 14 |
| Introduction to SPSS^ | Julia Lopez, PhD, MPH, LCSW | 1 | 3 |
| Research Project II | Erin Linnenbringer, PhD, MS | 2 | 14 |
| Clinical Fieldwork Rotations II | Tomi Toler, MS | 3 | 14 |
| Genetic Counseling Journal Club | Katherine King, MD | 1 | ~4 meetings |
| 2nd Year Spring Semester | |||
| Advanced Genetic Counseling II | Rachael Bradshaw, MS and Tomi Toler, MS | 4 | 14 |
| Teratology | Rachael Bradshaw, MS | 2 | 14 |
| Clinical Fieldwork Rotations III | Tomi Toler, MS | 3 | 14 |
| Research Project III | Erin Linnenbringer, PhD, MS | 2 | 14 |
| Genetic Counseling Journal Club | Katherine King, MD | 1 | ~4 meetings |
| * Students who have completed the Clinical Embryology course through the University of Cincinnati for a letter grade (obtaining a B- or higher) within the last 3 years that can provide documentation of their final grade and date of completion will have their tuition reduced by the cost of the course at the time of matriculation into our program and will not have to repeat the course. Students who have taken a graduate-level Embryology course through another institution for a letter grade (obtaining a B- or higher) within the last 3 years may submit a copy of the syllabus and documentation of their final grade and date of completion. If this course is accepted as a replacement for the University of Cincinnati course, the student will have their tuition reduced by the cost of the University of Cincinnati course at the time of matriculation into our program. ^ Students will take one of the two data analysis methods courses based on their research project requirement. | |||
| Course Title | Credit Hours | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Pathways to Psychopathology: From Genes and the Environment to Brain and Behavior | 3 | Spring |
| Communicating Research Findings to the Media and Lay Audiences | 1 | January |
| Counseling Skills for Health Care Professionals | 3 | Summer |
| Epidemiology for Clinical Research | 3 | Spring |
| Health Education: Methods, Planning, and Evaluation | 3 | Spring |
| Health Psychology | 3 | Summer |
| Principles of Shared Decision Making and Health Literacy in the Clinical Setting | 3 | Spring |
| Scientific Writing and Publishing | 2 | Spring |
| Name or Type of Activity | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education ^ | 1 x/ semester |
| Cordell Institute for Policy in Medicine and Law Programming * | 1-2 x/ year |
| Genetic Counseling Student Case Conference * | 1 x/ month |
| Genetics & Genomic Medicine Case Conference * | 1 x/ week |
| Genetics in Pop Culture * | 1 x/ month |
| Observations in Specialty Clinics (Cystic Fibrosis Center, Neurology, Rare Lung Disease Center, etc.) ^ | ~4 total observations, 1st year Spring semester |
| Observations with genetic counselors ^ | ~4 total observations, 1st year Fall semester |
| Professional Development Lunch & Learn * | 1 x/ month |
| Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) Genomics Board Meeting * | 4 x/ year |
^ 1st years only
Clinical Fieldwork
During the first year, students will observe both in clinics staffed by genetics professionals (genetic counselors, geneticists) and in clinics without genetics professionals.
Students will complete 5 clinical fieldwork rotations during their second year:
- Summer – 1 clinical fieldwork rotation, 6 weeks full time, 28 days
- Fall – 2 clinical fieldwork rotations, each 6 weeks part time, minimum 14 days
- Spring – 2 clinical fieldwork rotations, each 6 weeks part time, minimum 14 days
| Clinical Fieldwork Rotation Site | Specialty |
|---|---|
| WUSM St. Louis Children’s Hospital | Pediatrics, General Genetics |
| WUSM Prenatal Genetics | Prenatal |
| WUSM Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Clinic | Cancer Specialty |
| WUSM Siteman Cancer Center | Cancer |
| SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital | Pediatrics, General Genetics |
| SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital | Prenatal |
| Saint Louis Fetal Care Institute at CGCH | Prenatal Specialty |
| SSM Health Hereditary Cancer Services | Cancer |
| Mercy Oncology | Cancer |
| Mercy Perinatal and Fetal Care | Prenatal |
| Mercy Clinical Genetics | General Genetics |
| Cape Radiation Oncology | Cancer |
1) Current genetic counselor certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC), or American Board of Medical Genetics & Genomics (ABMG[G])
2) At least one year of experience as a clinical genetic counselor or in relevant fieldwork placement
3) Complete one (1) hour per year of training/coursework related to fieldwork supervision; including at least 0.5 hour of training/coursework related to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
Supervisors at our Program’s clinical fieldwork rotation sites meet these minimum requirements.
Estimated Tuition and Fees*
Below are the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year.^
| Amount | Item |
|---|---|
| $18,120 | Tuition per semester |
| $9,060 | Summer tuition (1st year only) |
| $4,180 | Student Health Benefit plan (required) |
| $49,480 | Total estimated first-year tuition and fees |
^ Students are billed based on the number of credits for which they are registered each semester. The actual number of credits per term may range between 11-14 credits due to the student’s choice of elective and data analysis courses. The estimate above is based on the average 12-credit semester and 6-credit summer using the estimated 2024-2025 tuition rate of $1,510 per credit hour. The 2024-2025 tuition rate will be announced by the university on July 1st and the website will be updated at that time.
Accreditation & Licensure
The Washington University School of Medicine’s Master’s Program in Genetic Counseling has been awarded New Program Accreditation Status by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). ACGC is the accreditation board for graduate programs in genetic counseling in the United States and Canada. ACGC advances quality in genetic counseling education by developing and maintaining standards for educational and clinical training of genetic counseling students and implementing a peer-review process to evaluate programs. ACGC is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). ASPA is dedicated to enhancing quality in higher education through specialized and professional accreditation.
For those states in which genetic counseling licensure is available, the state boards of licensure require that applicants graduate from a U.S. genetic counseling school accredited by ACGC as a condition for licensure. In addition, most state boards of licensure require that U.S. applicants take and pass the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) Certification Examination. For U.S. genetic counseling program graduates to be eligible to sit for the ABGC Certification Examination, their school must be accredited by ACGC.
The School of Medicine has determined that, as a result of its ACGC accreditation, its Genetic Counseling program curriculum meets the educational requirements to sit for the ABGC Certification Examination and to pursue licensure in all states and territories of the United States and Washington, DC in which licensure is available.
SAFE: Supporting a Fair Environment
Washington University School of Medicine strives to support all learners, faculty and staff in the academic medical center in providing an environment conducive to learning, research and high-quality patient care. We aspire to a work and learning environment characterized by inclusive excellence, free from behavior that is harassing, threatening or intimidating, where all people witness and experience respect, collegiality and collaboration. All members of our community are responsible for contributing to these goals in the medical center environments of patient care, research and education.
Want to contact us directly?
Contact our Program Coordinator Elizabeth Witthaus by calling us at 314-273-8552 or emailing us at geneticcounseling@wustl.edu.
Visit our Program Facebook Page to stay up-to-date!