Genetic counseling is a key component of medical genetics services in which
physicians and other professionals participate. Genetic counselors are professionals
working as part of a medical genetics team who provide one-to-one and group
counseling, public and professional education, and staff consultation. Genetic
counselors may also be involved in clinic coordination and consultations with
policy makers.
For more information regarding genetic counseling as a profession, contact
the National Society of Genetic
Counselors.
What do our graduates and their employers have to say?
Want to learn more about genetic counseling? Internship and observation opportunities
The Northwestern
Program
The Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling was instituted at Northwestern University in fall 1990. Our program, enrolling eight to ten students per year, allows an individualized training approach so students may develop comprehensive genetic counseling skills through early clinical involvement and strong didactic course work. A problem-based learning teaching technique complements the more traditional teaching methods in several courses and promotes individualized learning. The added focus on critical thinking, research skills, and professional leadership allows Northwestern graduates to feel well prepared for employment as genetic counselors in a variety of clinical roles, including prenatal, pediatric, adult, and cancer genetics, as well as roles in teaching, research and industry. As of March 2006, 95 genetic counselors have graduated from the program.
The program is conducted primarily on the Chicago campus of Northwestern University,
where Feinberg School of Medicine is located. This 18-month, six-quarter program
comprises didactic course work and extensive clinical experiences. It is accredited
by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) and prepares students for
certification by the ABGC.
The curriculum is a balance of clinical and molecular genetics and psychosocial
counseling topics, and is taught by faculty from the Graduate School, Feinberg
School of Medicine and with guest lecturers from area institutions with particular
expertise in specific areas. Students have many opportunities to gain experience
in public speaking and outreach to the lay public and health professional
audiences, as well as exposure in non-clinic settings to patients and families.
The program includes course work in
• Classical, medical, cytogenetics, biochemical, and molecular genetics
• Cancer genetics
• Teratogen counseling
• Psychosocial aspects of genetic counseling
• Disability studies
• Ethics
• Research methodology and a research project presented as a seminar
and scholarly paper
• Epidemiology and statistics
• Attendance at grand rounds, lecture series, case conferences and journal
clubs
• Clinical rotations
NEW!!
Starting in 2006, genetic counseling students may also choose to enroll in a 2 year dual degree program to receive a Master of Arts in Medical Humanities and Bioethics. For more information: http://www.medschool.northwestern.edu/mhb/masters/index.html or download the pdf flyer (Adobe Acrobat required). Please note: you must apply under G12MS (rather than the genetic counseling only degree option G10MS).
NEW!!
Starting in 2006, students may also complete a 12 month certificate or scholar
program in disability ethics. For more information: http://www.ric.org/community/ethics.php.
WHY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY?
Northwestern’s Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling is located within
a highly regarded medical school and one of the top universities in the country.
This, in combination with the program’s location in downtown Chicago,
results in some unique educational strengths:
* Among the 125 U.S. medical schools, the Feinberg School is ranked 20th
by U.S. News and World Reports for research activity and 37th by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). Only 5 genetic counseling programs are affiliated
with medical schools ranked in the top 20 nationally.
* McGaw Medical Center, which includes Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Evanston
Northwestern Healthcare and Children’s Memorial Hospital, is ranked
in the top 15 major teaching hospitals and top 100 hospitals nationally.
* The graduate program shares the overall Medical School approach to problem based learning, and focuses on a clinically oriented training model to produce clinicians with excellence in a variety of areas.
* In addition to the excellent basic science and clinical departments, the
medical school has well known faculty in the areas of Medical Communication,
Medical Humanities, and Public Health who all interact with the genetic counseling
program on a variety of levels.
* The program’s home in the Center of Genetic Medicine allows a unique
tie to clinicians and bench researchers with interest in human genetics.
* The University’s affiliation with the Rehabilitation Institute for
Chicago, the premier rehabilitation center in the country, provides a unique
exposure to disability related issues.
* Chicago is the home of many reputable academic medical centers, including
the University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Chicago campus and Loyola
Medical Center. There are 8 hospitals and over 50 certified clinical genetic
counselors within the city at accredited sites for the Northwestern program,
providing rich and diversified clinical training for our students including
exposure to expanded genetic counseling roles and Spanish language genetic
counseling opportunities for those who wish to develop fluency in medical
Spanish.
* The genetic counseling program has had a focus on research since its inception,
and was one of the original programs to require a research project for graduation.
* The program takes a “balanced” approach to both medical and
psychosocial aspects of genetic counseling. Our students obtain clinical training
across all areas of genetics, and work in a variety of disciplines after graduation.
WHERE
ARE OUR GRADUATES?
• Graduates are employed primarily in university hospitals, private
practice, or multidisciplinary specialty clinics for specific genetic disorders.
Many hold faculty appointments at their institutions.
• Historically, over 90 percent of graduates who have taken the ABGC
certification examination passed it the first time they took it; 95 percent
are certified. (ABGC reports that approximately 70-75% of individuals pass
the exam each time it is given)
• Graduates are leaders in the National Society of Genetic Counselors
(NSGC) and other professional organizations. For instance, some graduates
are or have been
- A co recipient of the Jane Engelberg memorial fellowship
- A co recipient of a grant from the NSGC Special
Projects Fund
- Co chairs for the annual education conference for
the year 2000, the Cancer Genetics Short Course in 2002 and the Public Health
Short Course in 2006.
- Winners of the annual student abstract award (1996,
1997)
- 4 Winners of the NSGC Regional Leadership Awards
- A winner of the full-member abstract award (1999)
- Elected and appointed representatives on the NSGC
board of directors and ABGC board of directors
- Appointed committee chairs on national and regional
levels
- Active community volunteers for organizations such
as the March of Dimes
- Leaders in the Genetic Task Force of Illinois
- Presenters of key papers (including their graduate
research projects) in platform presentations at the NSGC annual meeting and
authors of published peer-reviewed papers
Read about some of our alumni on our Alumni
Profile page.
Our program has been highlighted in several university publications in recent
years:
Feinberg School of Medicine Annual Report 2003-2004
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/ar2004/content/education/ed_section2.html#geneticcounseling
Feinberg School of Medicine Annual Report 2004-2005
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/ar2005/content/education/
WHAT
DO OUR ALUMNI SAY? (quotes from 2006 survey)
“I will be forever grateful for the experience I had at Northwestern.
The program provided my classmates and me an amazing opportunity to learn
not only about the essential elements of clinical genetics, but also to witness
first hand many important aspects of life. These opportunities to hear personal
stories of grief and loss allowed us a greater understanding of our patients,
and created within us a newfound and unique capacity to connect them and one
another.”
“I think NU’s program provided a unique opportunity for students
interested in adult genetics, research and industry to get involved in these
non-traditional areas, consider possible careers, and network with professionals.
I was lucky to get a research clinical rotation… It helped prepare me
for my current job; I feel lucky because some programs do not have that available.”
“I loved Chicago and the program seemed like a good fit. I was also
very impressed by the large focus of clinical rotations of the program.”
“I am happy about my decision to attend Northwestern University …
I felt very prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation. Since beginning
work, I have received many compliments from co-workers on my professionalism
and work style, which I attribute in part to my training at Northwestern.”
WHAT DO EMPLOYERS OF OUR RECENT GRADUATES SAY?
[Compared to new graduates of other programs, this graduate’s preparation
was] “Excellent, outstanding, in the top 5%”
“I’ve hired about a dozen genetic counselors over the past 10
years, most of whom were very good to outstanding. This graduate is among
the top 3 counselors I’ve ever worked with, taking all of the various
skills into account. This is remarkable for someone just out of training.”
“We are very pleased with your alumni who have worked at our organization.”
WANT TO LEARN MORE? INTERNSHIP AND OBSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES
Internship Opportunities
We are now accepting applications for Summer 2008 internships! The length of the internship is usually 2-4 weeks long and is dependent upon the schedule of the faculty and the interns. The internship is a combination of clinical observations; self guided readings and discussion/process notes. Interns are usually scheduled during the summer quarter, which is June 20th through September 12th.
Application Requirements:
- Current resume
- GPA: 3.0 or above (a copy of transcripts is required)
- One to two page essay describing your interests in genetic counseling, why this internship would be beneficial and what you hope to gain from the experience.
Applications are due by March 31, 2008, 12:00 pm CST. You will be notified of your status by email on April 29, 2008.
Application materials should be mailed or emailed to:
Northwestern University
Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling
Attention: Cathy Wicklund, MS, CGC
676 N. St. Clair #1280
Chicago, IL 60640
For questions please call Mary Langjahr at 312-926-7467 or geneticcounseling@northwestern.edu.
Observation Opportunities
If you are interested in observing one or several genetic counseling sessions with a genetic counselor in the Chicago area, please visit http://www.nsgc.org/zip_search/index.cfm and feel free to contact a genetic counselor at a hospital near you.