Training Programs

The Johns Hopkins University/National Human Genome Research Institute Genetic Counseling Training Program

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Introduction

The accelerated discovery of disease and susceptibility genes made possible by the sequencing of the human genome has brought new and exciting challenges to the field of genetic counseling. The traditional emphasis of genetic counseling has been on providing information coupled with supportive counseling, primarily for people facing reproductive decisions. The field has broadened dramatically to address a multiplicity of emerging needs, ranging from clients seeking disease susceptibility testing to those wanting to know if a therapeutic treatment option is right for them. Therefore, genetic counselors must not only convey to these individuals and their families information about risks but also the consequences of testing and the potential for therapeutic intervention. These choices are laden with uncertainty and raise difficult ethical, legal and social issues.

Genetic information can have profound psychological meaning for clients, particularly for members of families affected by a genetic condition or risk. Decisions about whether to use genetic tests require that clients evaluate scientific information in the context of their personal values and beliefs. Genetic counselors are trained to facilitate decision-making to promote informed choices. When there is no genetic test or therapeutic option to offer, genetic counselors help family members to adapt to the condition or risk, often under conditions of uncertainty.

As the scope of genetic counseling expands and evolves, patient, professional, and community education will be imperative. Increasingly, primary care practitioners are providing aspects of genetic counseling and other genetic services, resulting in a need to educate nurses, social workers and physicians. Genetic counselors play a key role in educating these providers and developing standards of practice. Trained genetic counselors also provide a means for health professionals and patients to communicate with policy makers, the media and the public about new and emerging genetic technologies and services.

Overview of the Graduate Program

Drawing on resources from two outstanding research institutions, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have collaborated to develop a unique genetic counseling graduate program that addresses the growing need for genetic counseling services. The JHU/NHGRI Genetic Counseling Program (GCTP) was established in 1996. Its goals are to prepare graduates to:

  • Provide genetic counseling, with an emphasis on clients' psychological and educational needs.
     
  • Conduct social and behavioral research related to genetic counseling.
     
  • Educate health care providers, policy makers and the public about genetics and related health and social issues.

The GCTP distinguishes itself in offering extensive interactive coursework to support completion of high quality, publishable thesis studies. Since its inception, the GCTP has produced a cadre of genetic counselors who broaden the scope of genetic counseling by contributing to a growing research literature that critically examines a variety of aspects of the profession and shapes future directions in the field.

Additionally, program faculty provide students with one-on-one supervision for an hour each week throughout their graduate studies. These sessions offer students feedback based on audiotaped sessions with clients and on interventions consistent with development of counseling expertise.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides a strong academic home for the GCTP, while NHGRI provides funding, instruction and leadership. This collaborative program, which represents the first allocation of federal funds to support graduate education in genetic counseling, is regarded as an important effort to address new challenges resulting from genomics research.

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Last Updated: January 31, 2013


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Comments:

  • Hannah Jacinth (February 8, 2013, 14:27)

    hello!!..I have completed my Bachelor Degree in Biotechnology. I am looking forward, to take up a master degree, related to genetics. Kindly, provide me with details that would be helpful to me in the long run. How do i apply for the this course i.e genetic counselling??. I personally find this piece of information to be interesting. I would await your response patiently. Thank you for your time.

  • yashita (January 5, 2013, 12:58)

    Hi,I am a biotechnologist from India needing to do a genetic counselling course online. Which universities offer them?

  • Mayuri Rohit (August 13, 2012, 05:38)

    Hello, i am Biotechnologist from India and I want a training course online in genetic counseling. Can you kindly send me information about this course or any other. Thank you

  • Becky- Wisconsin (May 29, 2012, 22:53)

    Hi. I am a MSN, Women's Health NP-BC and am interested in training for BRCA counseling for my patient's in an OB/GYN clinic setting. How do I go about this and where can I find an available training course for this education? Thank you.

  • Andres Ossa (April 29, 2012, 08:41)

    I am a surgeon in Medellin Colombia. I want a training course online in genetic counseling in the patient with cancer. Can you send me information about this course or any other please thank you. drandresossa.com

  • Ruth- Kenya (March 15, 2012, 09:04)

    I am a BSN nursing student on internship. Do I qualify for the genetic counseling course?

  • Jose Roncal (March 12, 2012, 06:44)

    I would like to apply for this training. I have a bachelors degree in microbiology and I'm working in cytogenetic filed for 10 years. I'm CG(ASCP) certified and New York licensed, so please let me know how I can apply for this training. Jose Roncal B.S. CG(ASCP)

  • Anne (January 18, 2012, 23:31)

    At 5 months pregnant, our baby's heart stopped beating. The amniocentesis came back normal. The microarray testing came back normal. We do not know what caused our baby to die in the 2nd trimester. I did not drink alcohol or use drugs or smoke cigarettes. We have a healthy 3 year old. I was on prenatal vitamins. My husband and I are looking to honor our baby by potentially making a donation toward research so that in the future couples such as us can be given an answer as to why their baby died at 5 months. Our doctor advised us to contact Johns Hopkins about a group or foundation that we can make a donation in honor of our baby. Who might this be?

  • Oyewale (September 10, 2011, 14:21)

    I want to apply for this training, I hope is it open to a Nigerian working in a Nigeria University?

  • Tulane University Student (May 16, 2011, 02:35)

    I'm looking into applying for this program in 2014. What are you looking for in an applicant when it comes to their Undergraduate degree?

  • Anonymous (August 15, 2010, 02:22)

    Dr Tanus- I too have been looking for an online course in Genetic Counseling. Apparently there is 1, but it is based out of the country. I have learned, from a practicing Genetic Counselor, that the training program requires clinical externships. So, I guess, this means an online program would make it difficult to have a mentor that helps you with clinical in-person settings. Seems as though it would be different for someone like you that is already trained to work with patients but wants to learn more of the genetics side of it. Good luck

  • Dr Jose Vazquez Tanus (June 12, 2010, 19:11)

    I am Cardiologist and research physician, actually owing a clinical research center in Puerto Rico. I already started to get some training in genetic counseling and Genomic Medicine. Does anyone know of any online training program on Genomic Medicine or at least partially online to perform training in Genomic Medicine?

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