Certificate in Health Care Genetics

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Genetic based health care is routinely becoming a part of daily health care, having major impacts on patient diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The Certificate in Health Care Genetics is designed for health care workers who are seeking focused, graduate-level education in the specialty of genetics. Knowledge gained through coursework will enable healthcare workers to better care for and educate their patients.

Curriculum Format

• Full time or part time (~3 terms) 
• Onsite
• The curriculum includes courses in genetics (taught through the School of Nursing) and choice of 3 courses related to the student’s career goals or interests (taught through other departments in the Schools of the Health Sciences).
• Learning experiences may be enriched through interaction with Pitt Nursing’s Genomics of Patient Outcomes Hub, Clinical Genetics Case Conferences, Human Genetics Research Seminars, Genetics Grand Rounds, and a Research Practicum in a molecular genetics laboratory.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Certificate in Health Care Genetics are prepared to:

• Guide patients in their understanding of the genetic basis of disease as well as providing patient education and guidance in the areas of available genetic testing, interpretation of testing, recurrence risks, and genetic based therapies
• Provide advocacy for patients and families with genetic conditions
• Utilize family histories to determine disorders for which the patient is at risk
• Utilize a variety of resources to stay up to date with advances in genetic based health care
• Determine when patient referral to a genetic professional is required
• Utilize a variety of resources to provide patients and their families with support mechanisms
• Interpret genetic research findings

Admission Criteria

• Healthcare worker with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (from ACEN, NLN, or CCNE accredited program)
• GPA ≥ 3.0 in the Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
• Pre-admission interview
• Complete online application
• International applicants: see https://www.nursing.pitt.edu/admissions/international-applicants and www.ois.pitt.edu
• Fall, Spring, and Summer Term admission

Admission of International Applicants

Applications from international students are reviewed according to the admission criteria stated above, and admissions deadlines for all programs are available online. The online application must be completed in English. See the School of Nursing International Applicants page for specific admission requirements.