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Genetic counselors are specialized health professionals who counsel individuals and families about genetic disease and birth defects. Counselors have initial contact with families and act as case managers and liaisons to the health care team throughout the evaluation process. Genetic counselors work with patients from varied sociocultural and educational backgrounds to obtain family history, assess psychosocial status, explain the ramifications of disorders, and provide support to assist in adjustment to the physical and emotional challenges of genetic diagnosis. Additionally, genetic counselors provide education to practicing professionals, health care students, and lay groups. Program administration, the development of new services, teaching, and research activities are often encompassed within the career.

The USC genetic counseling program began in 1985. One of 32 programs in the United States, it was the first program in the southeastern region. In 1991 the program received a rare Commendation for Excellence during the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education’s review, citing program strengths that include: an enthusiastic faculty, Master of Science thesis research, and students who have proven to be professionally active after graduation. In the 1998 state review of graduate health degrees, the site visit team recommended another Commendation for Excellence.

Six to eight students are accepted each year from an applicant pool of approximately 95. Since 1985, more than 150 genetic counselors have graduated from the program. Over half of the practicing graduates are serving in the Southeast.

Curriculum

This is a two-year program that includes course work, clinical rotations, and a research-based thesis. The program is one of several health professional degrees offered by the School of Medicine. The curriculum includes 56 credit hours. Of these, 42 hours are devoted to classroom study, the majority of which are designed specifically for the genetic counseling program. Clinical rotations in regional genetic centers provide 8 credit hours, while 6 hours of credit are awarded for Master of Science thesis research.

Clinical Rotation Facilities

The clinical rotation portion of the genetic counseling program provides a range of prenatal, pediatric, adult, and specialty clinical experiences required for the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) certification examination. The student begins the transition from theory to practice during a summer clinical placement. During the senior year, each student has the opportunity to rotate through four of the following sites:

• USC School of Medicine, Columbia, S.C.: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C.: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Child Development, and the Prenatal Wellness Center
• Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, Greenville, and Columbia, S.C.
• Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Ga.: Department of Pediatrics
• Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, N.C.
• Savannah Perinatology, Savannah, Ga.
• Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C.: Department of OB/GYN
• Fullerton Genetics Center, Asheville, N.C.
• Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.

Thesis Research

The field of genetic counseling has developed into a professional discipline of its own. As such, the capabilities of genetic counselors should include scientific evaluation of the tenets of genetic counseling and professional reporting of these studies. The student in genetic counseling is required to write a thesis based on original research. The resulting work is of publishable quality and is often presented at a national genetics society meeting.

Admission Standards

Applicants for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program must have earned a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution. Prerequisite course work includes: one year of general biology, one year of general chemistry, one semester of biochemistry, one semester of genetics, and one semester of statistics. Scores from the general aptitude test of the GRE are required. Subtest scores are invited but optional. Supporting material must include: undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement reflecting the student’s interest and experience in the field. A personal interview with the admissions committee is required.

Application Information

The application deadline is January 15. Extensive information for applicants is on the School of Medicine Web page, http://geneticcounseling.med.sc.edu.