Principles of Genetic Counseling

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Describe the history of genetic counseling and identify the goals and practice models and various professional activities of genetic counselors;

• Describe the goals and key components of preconception and prenatal clinical genetics evaluation and orient clients to clinical genetic services while establishing a mutual agenda;

• Utilize a range of basic counseling skills, such as open-ended questions, reflection and normalization;

• Employ a variety of interviewing techniques to elicit and construct an accurate psychosocial, prenatal, and family history from a client;

• Identify and respond to psychosocial and counseling issues in preconception and prenatal genetic counseling;

• Accurately describe prenatal diagnostic and assisted reproductive technology techniques including indications, associated risks, limitations, and potential benefits;

• Define terms used to describe cultures, race and ethnicity; describe knowledge, skills and personal attributes that contribute to cultural proficiency;

• Describe key concepts in adult learning and education; demonstrate skills in preparation and organization of educational aspects of genetic counseling;

• Demonstrate appropriate use of genetics literature and on-line database programs to obtain relevant information about genetic conditions in preparation for genetic counseling cases;

• Assess individual and familial probability of conditions with a genetic component or carrier status based on documented and provided information;

• Utilize risk communication principles to maximize client understanding;

• Identify and develop personal attributes for the institution of lifelong learning.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Homework	30%
Project / History of GC	15%
Project / Intakes	15%
Quizzes / Reading Assessments	15%
Final Exam	10%
Attendance & Participation	15%

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
93–100%	A
90–92%	A–
87–89%	B+
83–86%	B
80–82%	B–
Below 80%	F

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Students are not required to purchase any materials to complete the course.