Genetic Counseling, M.S.
Ms. Jill Fischer, Director
Office: STM Building, 5-18C
Tel: 908-737-7209
Email: jfischer@kean.edu
Program Description
The Master of Science program in Genetic Counseling is a 65 credit terminal degree program designed to train students to become genetic counselors.
Admission Requirements
This program admits in only the fall semester. Successful candidates to the program must have:
- Baccalaureate degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from all colleges attended and completed the following:
- 1 year of Biology
- 1 year of Chemistry
- At least 1 semester of Organic Chemistry
- At least 1 semester of Biochemistry
- At least 1 semester of Genetics
- At least 1 semester of Psychology
- At least 1 semester of Statistics
- GRE scores (greater than equal to 70 percentile)
- Official transcripts form all institutions attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Current Professional Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (for applicants whose native language is not English)
- Experience shadowing genetic counselors (shadowing, interviewing genetic counselors, watching online video of consults, etc.)
- Volunteer experience in relevant settings (working with those with genetic disorders or other disabilities, crisis hotline with training, etc.)
- Departmental interview is required
Degree Requirements
Fall Semester 1 - 16
| STME 5900 | INTRODUCTION TO GENETIC COUNSELING | 3 |
| CED 5910 | ORIENTATION TO PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING | 3 |
| STME 5912 | MOLECULAR GENETICS AND LABORATORY TECHNIQUES | 2 |
| STME 5915 | HUMAN CYTOGENETICS | 2 |
| STME 5919 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY & TERATOLOGY | 3 |
| STME 5961 | RESEARCH METHODS IN GENETIC COUNSELING | 3 |
Spring Semester 2 - 16
| STME 5901 | FUNDAMENTALS OF GENETIC COUNSELING: REPRODUCTIVE & PEDIATRIC CARE | 3 |
| CED 5950 | COUNSELING SKILLS | 3 |
| STME 5920 | MEDICAL GENETICS 1 | 3 |
| STME 5940 | CANCER GENETICS AND GENETIC COUNSELING | 3 |
| STME 5962 | ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS IN GENETIC COUNSELING | 3 |
| STME 5931 | INTRODUCTORY GENETIC COUNSELING ROTATION | 1 |
Summer Semester 3 - 7
| STME 5971 | GENETIC COUNSELING THESIS I | 1 |
| STME 5941 | GENETIC COUNSELING CLINICAL ROTATION I | 3 |
| STME 5942 | GENETIC COUNSELING CLINICAL ROTATION 2 | 3 |
Fall Semester 4 - 16
| STME 5902 | FUNDAMENTALS OF GENETIC COUNSELING: FURTHER ROLES AND SKILLS | 3 |
| CED 5980 | PRACTICUM IN COUNSELING | 3 |
| STME 5922 | MEDICAL GENETICS 2 | 3 |
| STME 5918 | BIOINFORMATICS AND CLINICAL APPLICATION | 2 |
| STME 5972 | GENETIC COUNSELING THESIS 2 | 1 |
| STME 5943 | GENETIC COUNSELING CLINICAL ROTATION 3 | 2 |
| STME 5944 | GENETIC COUNSELING CLINICAL ROTATION 4 | 2 |
Spring Semester 5 - 10
| STME 5903 | FUNDAMENTALS OF GENETIC COUNSELING: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| STME 5930 | ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF GENETICS | 2 |
| STME 5970 | TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE | 2 |
| STME 5973 | GENETIC COUNSELING THESIS 3 | 1 |
| STME 5945 | GENETIC COUNSELING CLINICAL ROTATION 5 | 2 |
Total Credit Hours: 65