Genetic Counseling and Public Health Genetics Dual-Degree Program, MS/MPH

Dual-Degree Requirements

Students interested in both genetic counseling and public health genetics can pursue both degrees in a combined 62-credit program. All requirements for each individual program must be completed. All required courses for both degrees must be taken by dual degree students, with the exception of PUBHLT 2011 Essentials of Public Health and HUGEN 2062 Ethical Issues in Public Health Genetics and Research.

Given that some of the curriculum overlaps, the dual degree requires the completion of a minimum of 62 credits. In addition to completing all rotation and thesis requirements of the MS in Genetic Counseling degree, students enrolled in the dual degree will fulfill the MPH practicum and MPH essay requirements.  Students using their clinical rotations for their practicum do not need to take HUGEN 2050 Practicum as these credits are represented in HUGEN 2036 Genetic Counseling Internship.

The required courses for the dual-degree program are outlined below. Schedules are discussed on an individual basis with Program Leadership in the MPH in Public Health Genetics and MS in Genetic Counseling Programs.

Other Requirements

Comprehensive Examination

The written comprehensive examination occurs at the end of the first year of study. Students must complete the following courses to be eligible to sit for the exam:

• BIOST 2041 INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS  
• EPIDEM 2110 PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY  
• HUGEN 2020 INTRODUCTION TO POPULATION GENETICS AND GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY  
• HUGEN 2040 MOLECULAR BASIS OF HUMAN INHERITED DISEASE  
• HUGEN 2035 PRINCIPLES OF GENETIC COUNSELING  
• HUGEN 2025 HUMAN GENETICS SEMINAR   (2 terms)  
• HUGEN 2047 CLINICAL GENETICS CASE CONFERENCE  
• PUBHLT 2011 ESSENTIALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH   (2 terms) 
• HUGEN 2032 GENETIC TECHNIQUES  
• HUGEN 2060 CHROMOSOMES - STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION  
• HUGEN 2038 INTERVENTION SKILLS FOR GENETIC COUNSELING  
• HUGEN 2052 ETHICAL ISSUES IN GENETIC COUNSELING  
• HUGEN 2010 BIOINFORMATIC RESOURCES FOR GENETICISTS  
• HUGEN 2061 CANCER GENETIC COUNSELING  
• PUBHLT 2011 ESSENTIALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH  
• HUGEN 2063 GENETIC COUNSELING IN PRACTICE: SIMULATION AND SKILL BUILDING  
• HUGEN 2037 GENETIC COUNSELING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH SERIES  
• HUGEN 2039 GENETIC COUNSELING RISK ASSESSMENT AND APPLICATION    

A student failing a minimum score of 70% must repeat the written examination within 90 days and/or undergo a series of supervised tutorial sessions to overcome areas of deficiencies. For the student who undergoes the tutorial sessions, they must retake the exam and achieve a minimum score of 70% after completion of the sessions.

Failure to pass the comprehensive examination in two attempts may lead to dismissal from the program. 

Oral Examination - Thesis Defense

Students being writing their thesis in Spring of the 1st year and it must be completed before graduation. Students must complete the following courses before their thesis defense:

• HUGEN 2037 GENETIC COUNSELING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH SERIES  
• HUGEN 2021 SPECIAL STUDIES  
• HUGEN 2012 WRITING IN CLINICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH GENETICS  

A final copy of the thesis must be submitted to the Thesis Advisory Committee for evaluation at least one week prior to the thesis defense. The Thesis Advisory Committee will judge the adequacy of the thesis by an open oral examination covering the subject of the thesis. Successful completion of the MS thesis requires unanimous agreement by the Thesis Advisory Committee. 

Must register for at least one credit during the term in which they intend to graduate. Students intending to graduate must file an application to graduate by the deadline specified in the University Calendar.  The final copy of the MS thesis must be prepared and submitted according to the University guidelines for Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD).

Total Credits: 62