Curriculum

Academic Standards for Enrollment

The Emory Genetic Counseling Training Program is 21 months long. Students attend 5 contiguous 16 week semesters of training.

Continued enrollment in the Emory University Genetic Counseling Training Program requires students to maintain satisfactory academic progress, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, satisfactory professional conduct, and compliance with all Program, School of Medicine, and University policies, including the Honor Code, Conduct Code, and professional and ethical standards of the genetic counseling profession.

Degree Requirements

Graduates of the Emory University Genetic Counseling Training Program demonstrate achievement of the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors expected of entry-level genetic counselor.  To graduate, students must:

• Satisfactorily complete all required coursework, rotations, and focus internship
• Complete a minimum of 76 credit hours
• Earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Demonstrate readiness for entry-level genetic counseling practice through acquisition of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) Practice-Based Competencies
• Meet the academic, professional, and ethical standards of the Genetic Counseling Training Program, School of Medicine, and University

Program Objectives

Students graduate with a Master of Medical Science degree (MMSc) in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from the Emory University School of Medicine. Upon completion of the Emory University Genetic Counseling Training Program, graduates will:

1. Demonstrate readiness for entry-level genetic counseling practice through acquisition of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) Practice-Based Competencies
2. Apply genetic and genomic expertise to patient care, education, research, industry, public health, and other professional settings
3. Establish and maintain effective interpersonal, psychosocial, and counseling relationships with individuals, families, colleagues, and communities
4. Communicate genetic, genomic, and health-related information effectively, accurately, and compassionately to diverse audiences.
5. Demonstrate ethical, culturally responsive, and inclusive professional practice that promotes equitable access to genetic services and information
6. Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, scholarship, leadership, and lifelong learning to advance the genetic counseling profession and the responsible integration of genomics into healthcare and society

Coursework in the Emory Genetic Counseling Training Program integrates human genetics, genomics, counseling skills, clinical practice, public health, ethics, and research to prepare students for evidence-based, patient-centered genetic counseling careers.

The clinical training component of the Emory Genetic Counseling Training Program is designed to provide students with exposure to genetic counseling and other aspects of the provision of genetic services throughout their program experience and in a wide variety of settings. 

During the focus internship, students develop a research project in collaboration with a mentor and participate in a variety of activities in their mentor's specialty area. Focus internships are available across several clinical specialties as well as public health and education.