Program Description:
This is a full time, two year Master of Science program, fully accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Our objective is to provide students with the academic expertise and clinical skills necessary to enter the profession of Genetic Counseling. We integrate selected course work with first hand diagnostic medical genetics laboratory and clinical genetics experiences.  Graduates will hold a Master of Science degree through the graduate program of Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics in the department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, with an emphasis of study in Genetic Counseling. Upon graduation, all graduates will be eligible to apply to the ABGC for active candidate status.

Curriculum:
Year One Rquired Courses:

Year Two Rquired Courses:

Seminars:
Institute of Human Genetics
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics
Center for Bioethics

Finances:
Most of our students receive support through Teaching Assistantships for at least two of their four semesters.  These assistantships offer partial tuition remission and pay a monthly stipend.  In addition, any out of state student working as a Teaching Assistant is eligible for instate tuition for one semester after working for at least one semester.

Students also apply for loans to help support their studies.  The University of Minnesota has an office of financial aid available to answer any questions about loans for graduate study at http://onestop.umn.edu/finances/financial_aid/index.html.

For the most up to date information about costs for attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota, please check the tuition and fees website at http://onestop.umn.edu/finances/costs_and_tuition/tuition_and_fees/index.html

All students are covered by malpractice insurance and have health care insurance as graduate students enrolled in the program.

Affiliated Program Faculty:
Susan Berry, MD, Dept. of Pediatrics, Genetic Counseling Program Medical Director
Richard King, MD, PhD, Dept. of Medicine
Dianne Bartels, RN, MA, PhD, Center for Bioethics
Kathleen Conklin, PhD, Molecular Genetics
Betsy Hirsch, PhD, Director, Medical Cytogenetics Laboratory
Jeff Kahn, PhD, Director, Center for Bioethics
Mark McCann, Minnesota Department of Health, Newborn Screening Program
Nancy Mendelsohn, MD, Clinical Genetics, UMP
Sue Petzel, PhD, Dept. of OB/GYN, Clinical Psychology
Mary Ella Pierpont, MD, PhD, Clinical Genetics, UMP
Lisa Schimmenti, MD, Dept. of Pediatrics
Patricia McCarthy Veach, PhD., Dept. of Education Psychology
Brian VanNess, PhD, Co-Director of Institute of Human Genetics
Chet Whitley, MD, PhD, Dept. of Pediatrics

This program would allow genetic counseling students to gain greater depth and breadth in the field of counseling psychology.  The proposed concentration in CSPP would allow students to be eligible to apply to the American Board of Genetic Counseling for Board Certification as well as apply for licensure as a mental health counselor in a majority of states in the U.S.  Licensure as a mental health counselor would be useful in two ways: 1) it would provide more experience and practice in addressing the psychosocial issues of genetic counseling patients; and 2) it would allow graduates to engage in the practice of psychological counseling.  One scenario is that an individual who is a certified genetic counselor and a licensed mental health counselor would see clients with genetic conditions on an on-going basis for counseling or patients with reproductive issues (such as infertility), or individuals who are dealing with loss and grief.

This is expected to be a very full time 3-year program.  Students must take courses and complete clinical work for both aspects of the degree.  One research project will serve for both aspects of the degree.   Students must meet the degree requirements of the graduate program in genetic counseling and the counseling requirements of the CSPP program in order to graduate.    The proposed curriculum is provided with this information.  Please note that licensure requirements for mental health professionals vary somewhat from state to state.  It is very possible that even after completing this program of study, a graduate may move to a state with a few more requirements than this program provides.  Those requirements would then have to be met after graduation.  If you are interested in this program and you know the state in which you would like to practice, it is advisable to check with the state counselor licensing board about particular requirements for that state. 

Anyone interested in the program can contact Bonnie S. LeRoy, director of the genetic counseling program at leroy001@umn.edu or Pat McCarthy Veach, Professor, Educational Psychology at veach001@umn.edu for specific information about the curriculum and admissions process.

The Graduate Minor in Bioethics is designed for University of Minnesota graduate students interested in deepening their knowledge of the ethical issues surrounding health care and biomedical science. Administered by the Center for Bioethics in cooperation with the Department of Philosophy, the Graduate Minor program is open to students admitted to any department within the University of Minnesota Graduate School, for either an MA/MS or PhD program. Students can explore their interests in bioethics while also earning a degree in their home discipline.

Enrollment in the Graduate Minor in Bioethics program is contingent upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies in Bioethics. Prior to enrollment, students are expected to have some relevant experience in philosophy or biomedicine and some familiarity with the field of bioethics. Graduate students in philosophy are expected to have successfully completed at least one graduate course in ethical theory.

Complete program and course descriptions are available as a PDF document: Graduate Minor in Bioethics.

Application instructions and further information may be found at http://www.ahc.umn.edu/bioethics/education/graduate/home.html