The University of Connecticut will introduce a Professional Science Masters in Genetic Counseling program beginning the 2023-2024 academic year.
UConn has offered certificate degrees in clinical genetics as well as clinical communication and has many professors and staff with experience in the field working at UConn Health, teaching at the school”™s campus Storrs, running the UConn Chromosome Core and conducting genetics research across the university. But in order to qualify for the board exam ”“ which is a necessary part of licensure as a genetic counselor ”“ students must earn a Master”™s degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling.
UConn”™s new program has achieved accreditation, which is a first for a public university in New England.
“The job market for genetic counselors has historically been favorable. The field has doubled since 2010,” said Program Director Maria Gyure. “Genetic counseling is the perfect professional marriage between genetics and psychology, and genetic counselors are wearing more hats than ever.”
The two-year program includes clinical rotations and students will have the opportunity to focus on diverse areas of interest, including pediatric, prenatal, cardiovascular, laboratory, and cancer genetic counseling, as well as specialty clinics focusing on genetic diseases such as Huntington”™s disease, hemophilia, and osteogenesis imperfecta. Beginning in the second semester, students will also take part in research to produce a capstone project.
Guyure added that UConn will seek to “increase the diversity within the genetic counseling profession. We have been very intentional about increasing access to students from populations that tend to be underrepresented in the profession.”
