MSc with Honours in Genetic CounsellingSchool of Biomedical & Physical Sciences

Program Convenor: Dr Madelyn Peterson BPharm MA(Ethics) PhD FHGSA, m.peterson@griffith.edu.au

FACULTY

Program Convenor: Dr Madelyn Peterson BPharm MA(Ethics) PhD FHGSA, m.peterson@griffith.edu.au

Clinical Advisor: Associate Professor Michael Gabbett MSc MBBS RACP FHGSA, m.gabbett@griffith.edu.au;

Associate Lecturer: Ms Linda Humphreys MSc (Hons) l.humphreys@griffith.edu.au

Research Coordinator:

Clinical Coordinator:

PROGRAM BASICS & ASSESSMENT

FUTURE PLANS / CHALLENGES

We are interested in developing a Professional Doctorate program and

aiming for ABGC Program accreditation down the track.

OTHER PROGRAMS OFFERED

• Graduate Certificate in Applied Clinical Genetics

• Graduate Diploma in Applied Clinical Genetics

• Masters of Science in Applied Clinical Genetics

OUR STUDENTS •Number enrolled per year: 6• Undergraduate backgrounds accepted: Science (majority), health, psychology, social work, behavioural science.•Selection process: Written application, formal statement & interview. Short-list of applicants for interview by panel (Program Convenor, Academic , Clinical Professional & Administration Officer)•Academic +/- experiential prerequisites: Appropriate undergraduate degree (convenor approval) with GPA of at least 5.0 on scale of 1-7.Counselling experience or voluntary community work desirable but not mandatory.•Nationality and /or ethnocultural backgrounds of students: Mainly Caucasian Australasians, usually one International student each year – most often from India.

Brisbane, Australia

GC program offered since 1996

Program length: 5 semesters over 2 years

ACCREDITATIONProfessional Body: Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) www.hgsa.org.auCommittee: HGSA Board of CensorsGuidelines: https://www.hgsa.org.au/website/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/2010GL01-Masters-Programs.pdf

Course Week2

Week4

Week 6 Week8

Week9

Week 10

Week11

Week12

Week13

Week14

Total

7246BPSBioethics Journal Club

Tutorial reading preparation, attendance & contribution

Week 1-7: 20%Tutorial presentation &

facilitation of discussion: 15%

Seminar 40%

Case Study Assign25%

100%

7240BPSGeneticCounselling

Scenario Assign20%

Active task 10%

Active task 15%

45%Exam

55%

7241BPSClinicalGenetics

10MCQ

5%

Problem set5%

CytogenAssignm

ent7.5%

PGD Case study 7.5%

10MCQ5%

10MCQ5%

10MCQ5%

40%Exam

60%

7248BPSCommunity Practice

Tute5%

Tute5%

Tute5%

ReflectTask 10%Tute 5%

HD Case Study 25%

Tute5%

Activity Logbook

20%Supervisor

Reports 20%

100%

Course Week 3

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Total

7247BPSAdvanced Human Genetics

20MCQ

10%

20MCQ

10%

Short ans10%

Assignment Draft

10%

10MCQ

5%

Problem set

5%

Short ans10%

10MCQ5%

Assign30%

10MCQ5%

100%

7249BPSIntro to Genetic Counselling

QoL 1 Assig

n

5%

Assign20%

Reflection on video

10%

Skills test10%

QoL 2 Assign

5%

50% Exam 50%

7010HSVApplied Counselling

Essay

25%

Case study40%

AnalysisRecorded session

35%

100%

7242BPSAdvanced Human Genetics Lab

Intensive Week laboratory course (5 full days) scheduled in Week 16 Assessment: Laboratory modules write up - Bioinformatics, Cytogenetics, Results Manuscript

100%

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

ALUMNIGraduates: ~ 120 since 1996Employment in: Public Health Clinical Genetics Services, Familial Cancer Registries, Private Prenatal Services, Research (co-ordinators and PhD students), Education, Health Policy or Administration, IVF Services, Pathology Laboratory Services, other areas of counselling.

Course Sem 1Week 2

Sem 1Week 6

Sem 1Week 8

Sem 1 Week 10

Sem 1 Week 11

Sem 1Week 12

Sem 2Week 12

Sem 1Week 13

6002BPSPrinciples of Research Writing

Draft Assign

0%

Final Assign80%

SeminarPresentation

20%

7250BPSClinical Placement

Students complete 3 blocks of 5 weeks clinical placement over Summer Semester, Semester 1 & 2.Assessment: Tutorial attendance & participation; Case studies; Supervisor Appraisals; Final Seminar.

Seminar

8001BPSMasters Research Project

Research Project begins with project development at the end of Year 1 and Ethics application & approval prior to Semester1 of Year 2.Regular meetings with their supervisors & research coordinator.

Honours Thesis 60%

SupervisorReports

30%Seminar

10%

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

Student exchange supported. GU has hosted students from USA in recent years for clinical rotation at Genetic Health Queensland and so+gi (Specialised Obstetric & Gynaecological Imaging). We are keen to send GU students to USA, Canada and UK for 5 week rotations from 2012.Program development: We would like to acknowledge practical support for our Masters program development from the following program directors:Margaret Sahhar, University of MelbourneBonnie LeRoy, University of MinnesotaCarol Walton, University of ColoradoResource sharing: Willing to share resources such as curricula, assessment strategies etc.

PRESCRIBED TEXTS•LeRoy, BS, Veach PM, & Bartels, DM (2010) Genetic Counseling Practice: Advanced Concepts and Skills•Uhlmann, WR, Schuette, JL & Yashar, B (2009) A Guide to Genetic Counseling, •Weil J (2000). Psychosocial Genetic Counselling. •Nussbaum R, McInnes R & Willard H (2007) Thompson & Thompson Genetics in Medicine •Harper, PS (2010) Practical Genetic Counselling

RECOMMENDED TEXTS•Veach PM, LeRoy, BS & Bartels, DM (2003) Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process: A Practice Manual•Evans C (2006) Genetic Counselling: A Psychological Approach•Gaff, CL & Bylund, CL (Eds) 2010 Family Communication about Genetics: Theory and Practice.

RESEARCH PROJECTSStudents undertake a one year Masters level Honours project in an area of relevance to clinical genetics. They must submit a thesis of around 40,000 words for examination.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS

We are fortunate to have two very experienced ABGC Certified Genetic Counselors as part of our faculty of

clinical teachers