Genetic Counseling Program Course Descriptions

In the event social distancing restrictions are in place, some or all components of the course may be delivered through distance education.

Foundations of Genetic Counseling I: GCFGC 64001

This course is designed to provide students with the foundation on which to build the skills to be a successful genetic counselor. Students will explore contexts and situations in genetic counseling that practicing genetic counselors are likely to face. They will learn procedures for obtaining an accurate and relevant family history, constructing a pedigree, assessing modes of inheritance, making a diagnosis, determining risks, receive an introduction to psychosocial counseling issues and explore diverse counseling theories. The course will include an overview of the history of the profession to provide a framework for understanding the current state of the profession. Students will be introduced to practice areas within the profession through a four-week block covering prenatal, pediatric, adult, and cancer genetic counseling and will obtain foundational knowledge specific to these practice areas. The ACGC Practice Based Competencies will be introduced and students will explore the role of genetic counselors in working with clients through a combination of role-plays and standardized patient encounters.
Credits: 4, Fall
Course Director: Daniel Riconda, MS, CGC

Medical Genetics I: GCMEG 63001

This course is designed for genetic counseling students in their first year of training. This course provides an overview of fundamental principles of cytogenetics, molecular genetics, cancer genetics, population genetics, biochemical genetics and skeletal genetics. This course will be taken in sequence with the Medical Genetics II with both live and pre-recorded lectures. This course will combine didactic lectures with case studies, problem sets, quizzes, and short presentations by the students to reinforce topics presented in the lectures. For example, there are three hours per week: One hour will be live, one hour will be video and one hour will be a combination of topic reviews, assignments, quizzes, and short presentations.
Credits: 3, Fall
Course Co-Directors: Lindsay Burrage, M.D., Ph.D. and Pilar Magoulas, MS, CGC

Embryology: GCEMB 62003

This course is designed for genetic counseling students in their first year of training. Students will understand the basics of normal human development and will apply this knowledge to a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the newborn and adult. Additionally, this course provides a basis for explaining the etiology and process of developmental anomalies. It also provides an introduction to the treatment of patients with congenital anomalies and counseling options for families of affected individuals. This course will combine didactic lectures with case studies, quizzes, and clinical correlates to reinforce key concepts.
Credits: 1, Fall
Course Co-Directors: Salma Nassef, MS, CGC and Grant Bonesteele, MS, CGC

Health Behavioral Counseling I: HPHBC 61201

This course introduces counseling and behavioral science theories, skills, and tools to enhance learners’ communication skills and understanding of the process of health behavior change. Behavior change stages and processes are introduced using the Transtheoretical Model and social learning theories, with a focus on applying Motivational Interviewing skills. Learning activities include role play, observation of self-help support group sessions, simulated patient encounters, and critical reflection to help learners develop an intimate understanding of the process of change and increase empathy for patients attempting to change health behaviors.
Credits: 1, Fall
Course Co-Directors: Beth Garland, Ph.D.

Preparing for Genetic Counseling in Practice: GCGCP 62001

This course is designed to provide students with a practical foundation in preparing for clinical participation in various practice areas. This hands-on course will build on didactic content learned from Foundations of Genetic Counseling I and serve as an applied course. Students will have the opportunity to practice chart review, interpretation of screening and testing reports, pedigree risk assessments, online risk models, simulated coordination of testing, application of practice guidelines in a clinical context, completion of requisition forms, and identification of genetic testing options based on insurance considerations. This practice- based exploration of clinical genetic counseling will equip students to participate in patient care on clinical rotations.
Credits: 2, Fall
Course Directors: Salma Nassef, MS, CGC

Research Methods in Genetic Counseling: GCRGC 61001

This course will introduce students to the tools necessary to conduct clinical research studies in genetics and the foundations necessary for their thesis project. Students will discuss current topics significant to the field of genetic counseling and the roles of genetic counselors in the field of research. The course will explore how research designs including quantitative, qualitative, and outcomes research are utilized in the field of genetic counseling. Students will be introduced to the use of interview and survey techniques in genetic counseling research as well as the basics in obtaining research funding. Courses will be a combination of lecture, student discussion and presentation.
Credits: 1, Fall
Course Director: Sarah Scollon, MS, CGC

Journal Club I: GCJOC 61001

This course covers a review of current literature relating to advancements in genetic counseling, including the risk, diagnosis, and management of genetic diseases. Through this course, students will be able to: 1) review published literature and summarize significant findings, 2) analyze and critically evaluate data from the literature, and 3) present relevant data to provide an overview of key findings published in the literature.
Credit: 1, Fall
Course Co-Directors: Tanya Eble, MS, CGC and Lauren Desrosiers, MS, CGC

Clinical Practicum I: GCCLP 71001*

Each Clinical Practicum I through V introduces students to a new clinical training experience  with the opportunity to observe cases in a variety of clinical settings. At each site, students observe cases on a rotating 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. At the conclusion of the fall semester, students should be able to prepare for a case and to obtain a three generation family pedigree. Additional skill acquisition may occur at the discretion of the clinical supervisors.

*Clinical Practicum I, II, IV, and V will each be completed at a different site, cumulatively to expose each student to the following four core specialty clinical services. Summer Practicum III is not intended as a core clinical specialty, as described in that course description. 
Credits: 1, Fall
Course Director: Salma Nassef, MS, CGC

Clinical Practicum Sites

• Prenatal: Harris Health/Ben Taub Hospital; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women; Texas Children's community clinics (Sugarland, Katy, Woodlands, Northwest, Clearlake, Baytown); Methodist Hospital; Fetal Center; Consultagene Clinic
• Pediatric: Texas Children’s Hospital; Texas Children's Woodlands; Texas Children's West Campus
• Adult/Cancer: Harris Health/Smith Clinic; VA; McNair, Consultagene Clinic; Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine

Foundations of Genetic Counseling II: GCFGC 63002

This course is designed to prepare students for their clinical rotations. Emphasis will be on learning to effectively communicate a broad spectrum of genetic concepts to patients. This includes communicating both orally and in writing information about genetic disorders, procedures, laboratory tests, and risks. Students will practice oral presentation skills and develop patient education aids, which they will use in directed role-plays. They will build upon the skills obtained in Foundations of Genetic Counseling I and will learn how to facilitate decision making, conduct psychosocial assessments, practice critical thinking, and employ ethical practice in genetic counseling. They will also build upon their initial introduction to prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer, and laboratory practice areas.
Credits: 3, Spring
Course Director: Daniel Riconda, MS, CGC

Medical Genetics II: GCMEG 63002

This course is designed for genetic counseling students in their first year of training. This course provides an overview of genetic disorders encountered in prenatal genetics, pediatric genetics, and adult genetics, as well as advanced topics in biochemical genetics. An emphasis will be placed on etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, differential diagnosis, and management of these disorders. This course will be taken in sequence with Medical Genetics I with both live and pre-recorded lectures. This course will combine didactic lectures with case studies, problem sets, quizzes, short presentations by the students, and direct patient and parent interaction to reinforce topics presented in the lectures. For example, there are three hours per week: One hour will be live, one hour will be video and one hour will include a combination of topic reviews, assignments, quizzes, and short presentations.
Credits: 3, Spring
Course Director: Lindsay Burrage, M.D., Ph.D. and Pilar Magoulas, MS, CGC

Ethical and Legal Issues in Human Genetics: Ethics: GCELI 62000

This course focuses on the legal and ethical issues in the practice of genetic counseling and clinical genetics. The NSGC Code of Ethics will also be explored and applied to clinical and research case scenarios. Through the exploration of topics such as eugenics, incidental findings through genetic testing including non-paternity and consanguinity, genetic privacy and GINA, and prenatal testing/PGT, students will begin to appreciate ethical considerations and ethical decision making within the scope of clinical practice.
Credit: 2, Spring
Course Director: Elizabeth Mizerik, MS, CGC and Abby Yesso, MS, CGC

Fundamentals in Epidemiology: GCFEP 61000

This course introduces the basic principles and methods of epidemiology, with an emphasis on critical thinking, analytic skills, and application to clinical practice and research. Topics include outcome measures, methods of adjustment, surveillance, quantitative study designs, and sources of data. The course is designed for professionals intending to engage in, collaborate in, or interpret the results of epidemiological research as a substantial component of their career.
Credits: 1, Spring
Course Director: Austin Brown, Ph.D.

Genetic Epidemiology and Population Genetics: GCEPG 61000

This introductory level course in genetic epidemiology will build upon the topics covered in foundations in epidemiology with a focus on the design of studies to identify disease-gene associations. The lectures concentrate on common study designs for genetic association studies, including case-control studies, cohort studies, and parent-offspring trios. There is a focus on epidemiologic approaches for genetic studies of non-Mendelian diseases, disease-gene associations, and maternal genetic effects. Students will learn about study design and data analysis through class lectures, independent readings, and related projects.

The objectives of this course are to provide the student with an understanding of complex genetic diseases; population genetics; common designs for studies of disease-gene association; and approaches for assessing maternal genetic effects. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to design case-control and family- based studies to detect disease-gene associations and should have an understanding of the various statistical approaches that can be used to analyze the resulting data.
Credits: 1, Spring
Course Director: Melissa Richard, Ph.D.

Thesis I: GCTHE 81001

This course will continue the work begun in Genetic Counseling Research Methods. The course is designed to prepare students for submission of their thesis projects. This course will provide the framework for development of strong thesis projects from evaluation of ideas through execution of the project to publication of the data. Students will learn about choosing research mentors, writing human research protocols, obtaining informed consent, developing research projects, study design, and presentation of research in the form of abstracts and posters. Through this course, students will present ideas and outlines of their thesis project for evaluation by their instructors and peers and will submit a protocol to the IRB for their thesis project. Thesis Advisory Committee members will be identified and thesis proposal will be presented to class and advisors for candidacy.
Credits: 1, Spring
Course Directors: Sarah Scollon, MS, CGC and Rachel Franciskovich, MS, CGC

Psychosocial Practicum I: GCPSP 62001

This course is designed to introduce and expand on various concepts pertaining to psychosocial aspects of a genetic counseling session. This will be a combined class incorporating both first and second-year genetic counseling students. Students will learn through didactic lectures, group discussion, role plays, interactive sessions, and reflective exercises. Through the exploration of topics such as ethics, cultural competency, difficult patients, and autonomy, students will be able to develop skills specific to clinical practice. 
Credits: 2, Spring
Course Co-Directors: Salma Nassef, MS, CGC; Patti Robbins-Furman, MPH, CGC; and Tammy Solomon, MS, CGC

Journal Club II: GCJOC 61002

This course covers a review of current literature relating to advancements in genetic counseling, including the risk, diagnosis, and management of genetic diseases. Through this course, students will be able to: 1) review published literature and summarize significant findings, 2) analyze and critically evaluate data from the literature, and 3) present relevant data to provide an overview of key findings published in the literature.
Credit: 1, Spring
Course Co-Directors: Tanya Eble, MS, CGC and Lauren Desrosiers, MS, CGC

Clinical Practicum II (for site listings, see Clinical Practicum I, First-Year, Fall): GCCLP 72002

Students will rotate through three blocks. During this semester students begin to take on additional 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.
Credits 2, Spring
Course Directors: Salma Nassef, MS, CGC

Laboratory Course: GCLAB 71000

This course is designed for genetic counseling students at the end of their first year of training. Through this course students will become familiar with current molecular, biochemical, and cytogenetic techniques. Additionally, through this course students will understand the basics of the role of a laboratory genetic counselor, processes to enhance communication with the laboratory, and the distinctive role of the diagnostic laboratory in patient care.
Credits: 1, Spring
Course Co-Directors: Ning Liu, Ph.D., Nicole Owen, Ph.D., and Rob Rigobello, MS, LCGC

Clinical Practicum III (for site listings, see Clinical Practicum I, First-Year, Fall): GCCLP 72003

This rotation provides students with extensive clinical training and increasing case responsibilities. The students participate in a (minimum) 5-week full-time practicum. The internship can be in or outside of the state of Texas for students in good standing pending student interest and clinic site availability. Summer Practicum III provides students with the opportunity to train in varied geographic settings, to work with novel patient populations, and to pursue individual clinical interests.
Credits: 2, Fall (June-July)
Course Director: Daniel Riconda, MS, CGC and Salma Nassef, MS, CGC

Advanced Genetic Counseling I: GCAGC 62001

This course continues the work begun in Foundations of Genetic Counseling I and II. This course includes a discussion of the current state of the genetic counseling profession with a focus on current professional issues, including issues such as professional development, standards of practice, expanded roles of genetic counselors and cultural competency. The course will facilitate the continued development of presentation skills as well as preparation for job searching and interviewing. Working within interdisciplinary clinics and coordinating care with other health professionals will also be included in the instructional design of this course.
Credits: 2, Fall
Course Director: Daniel Riconda, MS, CGC

Thesis II: GCTHE 83002

The MSGC Program in Genetic Counseling requires completion of a research thesis. This course will continue the work begun in Research Methods in Genetic Counseling & Thesis I. Students will gather data related to their IRB approved graduate level research project developed in Thesis I under the supervision of a thesis advisory committee. Students will begin data analysis of their IRB approved graduate thesis project developed. The experience will be structured such that students are expected to meet with their primary thesis advisor at least once a week and the full advisory committee at least once a month for the purposes of ongoing project oversight, implementation, data analysis and interpretation of results, and summarizing results.
Credits: 3, Fall
Course Directors: Rachel Franciskovich, MS, CGC

Journal Club III: GCJOC 61003

This course covers a review of current literature relating to advancements in genetic counseling, including the risk, diagnosis, and management of genetic diseases. Through this course, students will be able to: 1) review published literature and summarize significant findings, 2) analyze and critically evaluate data from the literature, and 3) present relevant data to provide an overview of key findings published in the literature
Credit: 1, Fall
Course Co-Directors: Tanya Eble, MS, CGC and Lauren Desrosiers, MS, CGC

Variant Interpretation and Counseling: GCVIC 62000

Gene and variant curation assists the healthcare provider to assess and classify the role of a sequence variant or copy number variant found in a gene and the potential role of the variant in a disease. In this course, students will learn the process of variant classification in laboratory result interpretation. This course is designed to provide students with the foundation of variant interpretation including ACMG guidelines, skills to assess various types of evidence, and to utilize databases and other resources to aide in the variant classification. Genetic counseling students will be assigned projects utilizing these resources and will learn to critically review laboratory data from exome sequencing, gene panel sequencing, and other genetic testing methodologies and curate these data for report interpretation. Students will also be introduced to bioinformatics resources and how they can be used to inform genetic testing methodologies and reporting.
Credits: 2, Fall
Course Director: Linyan Meng, Ph.D. and Rob Rigobello, MS, LCGC

Advanced Practice in Genetic Counseling: APGC 61000

This course explores advanced concepts in cancer genetics, neurogenetic conditions, and hereditary cardiac conditions that are not covered in depth elsewhere in the curriculum. Content will be delivered both synchronously and asynchronously. Instructors will utilize case-based discussions and students will learn additional skills that will expand their ability to generate a differential diagnosis. Throughout the course, instruction will focus on the practical application of this content in the context of providing genetic counseling to patients. 
Credits: 1.0, Fall
Course Director: Abigail Yesso, MS, CGC and Taylor Beecroft, MS, CGC

Health Behavioral Counseling II: GCHBC 61202 

This course is a follow-up to HPHBC 62201. The course includes genetic counseling case-based application of motivational interviewing counseling skills. Students will also use case reflections to self-assess opportunities for use of MI skills including equipoise, emphasizing autonomy, and a review of skills from the HPHBC 62201 course. In addition, the concepts of shared decision making, transference and countertransference will be explored.
Credits: 0.5, Fall
Course Co-Directors: Beth Garland, Ph.D. and Daniel Riconda, MS, CGC

Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis: GCQDA 61000

This course will provide students with practical experience in quantitative data analysis in the R and STATA software environments. The course will introduce common data structures; basic data manipulation procedures; methods for summarizing and comparing the distributions of categorical and continuous variables; one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); linear regression; logistic regression; and data visualization.  The course is designed for professionals intending to engage in, collaborate in, or interpret the results of epidemiological research as a substantial component of their career and designed to be suitable for those without substantial prior exposure to data analysis or statistical programming. Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of data from observational studies in human subjects.
Credits: 0.5, Fall
Course Co-Directors: Jeremy Schraw, Ph.D. and Austin Brown, Ph.D. 

Clinical Practicum IVa & IVb: GCCLP 71004 & GCCLP 71005 

Students will rotate through one block each for this course. During this course students will take on full cases including case preparation, counseling the full session, test coordination, and follow-up as needed. Through this rotation and with continuation into clinical practicum V, the students will rotate through the three main specialties (prenatal, pediatric, and adult). 
CreditsL (1 Credit each, 2 total), Fall (August-December)
Course Directors: Salma Nassef, MS, CGC

Advanced Genetic Counseling II: GCAGC 62002

This course focuses on advanced topics within the profession of genetic counseling. It will provide the framework for discussion and understanding of such topics as licensure, insurance, billing and reimbursement for services, supervision, compassion fatigue and burnout, transitioning from student to practitioner, board exam preparation, expand on interprofessional engagement, developing leadership skills genetic counseling outcomes, advanced degrees, and specialty practice related issues within the practice of genetic counseling.
Credits: 2, Spring
Course Director: Daniel Riconda, MS, CGC

Psychosocial Practicum II: GCPSP 62002

This course is designed to introduce students to concepts pertaining to psychosocial aspects of a genetic counseling session. This will be a combined class incorporating both first and second-year genetic counseling students. Students will learn through didactic lectures, group discussion, role plays, interactive sessions, and reflective exercises. Through the exploration of topics such as ethics, cultural competency, difficult patients, and autonomy, students will develop skills specific to clinical practice.
Credits: 2, Spring
Course Co-Directors: Salma Nassef, MS, CGC; Patti Robbins-Furman, MPH, CGC; and Tammy Solomon, MS, CGC

Thesis III: GCTHE 83003

The experience will be structured such that students are expected to meet with their primary thesis advisor at least once a week and the full advisory committee at least once a month for the purposes of ongoing project oversight, implementation, data analysis and interpretation of results, and summarizing results. Students will prepare manuscript and/or abstract for submission to a reputable national journal or national conference. In addition, they will orally present their dissertation in an open colloquium and then participate in a closed oral defense after their presentation with their thesis advisory committee.
Credits: 3, Spring
Course Directors: Rachel Franciskovich, MS, CGC

Journal Club IV: GCJOC 61004

This course covers a review of current literature relating to advancements in genetic counseling, including the risk, diagnosis, and management of genetic diseases. It also includes attendance at genetics case conferences at least twice a month. Through this course, students will be able to: 1) review published literature and summarize significant findings, 2) analyze and critically evaluate data from the literature, and 3) present relevant data to provide an overview of key findings published in the literature.
Credit: 1, Spring
Course Co-Directors: Tanya Eble, MS, CGC and Lauren Desrosiers, MS, CGC

Clinical Practicum V (for site listings, see Clinical Practicum I, First-Year, Fall) GCCLP 72005

This rotation is a continuation of the Clinical Practicum IV course. Students will rotate through two  blocks in this semester. One block will be in one of the core specialties (prenatal, pediatric, and adult). During this semester students will take on full cases including case preparation, counseling the full session, test coordination, and follow-up as needed. The other block will be reserved for their desired specialty, remediation if needed, and/or a specialty rotation.
Credits: 2, Spring
Course Directors: Salma Nassef, MS, CGC

Graduation Requirements

• 55 Credits (46 didactic and 9 clinical)
• Completion of Master’s thesis