Thesis Projects

All graduate students in genetic counseling complete a research project as a requirement of the master's degree. Faculty aid students in the selection of a primary faculty advisor and formulation of an original research project. Students and their primary advisor then select an expert thesis committee to help guide them through the conduct of the study.

Thesis Topics of the Class of 2009:

• Chicagoland Obstetrician and Gynecologists’ Screening Practices for Ashkenazi Jewish Genetic Disorders
• Media Influence on Breast Cancer Management Decisions for High Risk Women
• Evaluation and Implications of Breakpoints in Familial and De Novo Translocations Involving 9p
• Reimbursement for Genetic Services and Identifying Pre-existing Gaps Between Billing and Reimbursement
• Effects of the Myriad Education Campaign on BRCA Testing and Management Practices Among Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• The Role of Genetic Counselors in Transitioning Patients with Connective Tissue Disorders to Adult Care and Self Management
• Utilization of Cognitive Behavioral Techniques in Counseling Children and Adolescents with Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Needs and Barriers of a Low Income, Low to Medium Health Literacy Population for Prenatal Genetic Services and Education
• Public Awareness of and Demand for Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

Thesis Topics of the Class of 2008:

• An Assessment of Billing Practices of Genetic Service Providers in Illinois
• Attitudes of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists about Counseling Prenatal Patients on Soft Markers Seen on Ultrasound
• Common Practice Among Obstetricians in Screening for Fetal Chromosome Abnormalities
• Deafness Curriculum in Clinical Genetics Training Programs
• Delineation of Patients with 9p Interstitial Deletion: A New Syndrome Mediated by Repetitive DNA in Proximal 9p
• Health Insurance Coverage of Genetic Services in Illinois
• Identification of Colonoscopy Patients at High Risk for Familial Cancer: Physicians' Opinions about Referral to a Cancer Genetics Program
• Measurement of the Downstream Revenue Generated by a Clinical Cancer Genetics Program
• Pathologists' Attitudes and Knowledge Regarding the Routine Screening of Lynch Syndrome-Related Tumors with MSI and IHC
• Reasons for Non-Participation in a Hospital-Based BioBank

The goals of the research project are to:

• Gain a thorough understanding of the research process
• Learn to critically evaluate research studies
• Formulate an original research question to add to the body of genetic counseling knowledge
• Implement study design and data collection
• Understand research methodology and the statistical tools necessary to analyze data
• Formally defend and write a thesis paper
• Present the findings of the project at the annual Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling Student Research Colloquium
• Have the opportunity to submit work for publication and present findings at national conferences

Preparation
Preparation for the research project begins in the fall quarter of the first year with a course in epidemiology in the Program of Public Health. This course is designed to help the student gain a better understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

In the winter quarter, students take a class on research methodology designed to help with thesis development. By the end of this course, students are prepared to develop a research proposal under the guidance of their thesis committee and begin the process of obtaining programatic and institutional review board (IRB) approval.

Conducting Research
During the spring quarter, students begin the implementation of their research project, with up to $1000 in research funding available through the program. After the project is underway, students will periodically meet with their thesis committee to review the project's progress and receive guidance. The project culminates in an oral defense to the committee, a written paper, and a presentation at the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling Student Research Colloquium. Graduates write a formal thesis, and are strongly encouraged to submit their work for presentation at relevant national meetings, such as NSGC, ASHG, and ACMG, in preparation for publication.