Curriculum

UT Southwestern’s Genetic Counseling Program was established in 2022. The curriculum combines classroom learning, fieldwork experiences, and research to prepare program graduates for the rapidly developing field of genetic counseling.

Our curriculum focuses on producing excellent genetic counselors who are passionate about working with diverse populations, meeting the needs of their patients, and engaging in research to enhance the field. A combination of clinical experiences on campus and in local clinics, industry experiences with laboratory partners, and research projects provides a well-rounded approach to genetic counseling training.

Within the School of Health Professions, interdisciplinary and team-based approaches to health care are prioritized so that students are ready to collaborate with other health professionals for patient care. Given the evolution of genetic counseling beyond clinics, our curriculum focuses on a variety of settings where genetic counselors may work, including laboratory, industry, and research settings.

Order of Courses

The curriculum is sequenced to create an effective and efficient path for learning. All courses in each semester are prerequisites for the next semester.

Fall, Year 1 (15 Credit Hours)

Critical Thinking (1 credit hour)
Reproductive Genetics and Embryology (3 credit hours)
Genes (2 credit hours, in collaboration with Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences)
Medical Genetics and Anatomy (2 credit hours)
Genetic Counseling Skills I (3 credit hours)
Genetic Counseling Peer Supervision (1 credit hour)
Introduction to Psychosocial Counseling (1 credit hour)
HCS 5106 Professional Development (interprofessional education with School of Health Professions students) (0 credit hours; receive credit in spring)
Introduction to Genetic Counseling Research (1 credit hour)
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork (1 credit hour, observation/shadowing)

Spring, Year 1 (17 Credit Hours)

Practice-Based Learning (2 credit hours)
Laboratory Science and Industry (2 credit hours)
Cancer Genetics (2 credit hours)
Medical and Adult Genetics (2 credit hours)
Psychosocial Counseling Skills (2 credit hours)
Genetic Counseling Skills II (2 credit hours)
Genetic Counseling Peer Supervision (1 credit hour)
HCS 5106 Professional Development (1 credit hour)
Genetic Counseling Research Skills (1 credit hour)
CTM5105 Ethics in Clinical Research (1 credit hour)
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork (1 credit hour)

Summer between 1st and 2nd Years (3 credit hours)

Full-time fieldwork experience – Genetic Counseling Fieldwork (3 credit hours)

Fall, Year 2 (12-13 credit hours)

Cutting-Edge Topics in Genetics (2 credit hours)
Health Equity and ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications) in Genomic Medicine (1 credit hour)
Genetic Counseling Skills III (2 credit hours)
Genetic Counseling Peer Supervision (1 credit hour)
Independent Research Practicum (2 credit hours)
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork (2 credit hours)
Elective (2-3 credit hours)

Spring, Year 2 (11-12 credit hours)

Lifelong Learning in Genetics (2 credit hours)
Professional Development in Practice (2 credit hours)
Genetic Counseling Peer Supervision (1 credit hour)
Independent Research Practicum (2 credit hours)
Genetic Counseling Fieldwork (2 credit hours)
Elective (2-3 credit hours)