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Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences School of Health Professions

Curriculum

Students in the UAB Genetic Counseling Training Program engage with faculty in exploring the successes and challenges of genomic medicine and counseling. UAB’s ACGC-accredited program includes a rigorous 21-month curriculum focused on developing new genetic counselors ready for any career path they choose. Students complete coursework, clinical training, and a graduate project (research).

List of Classes

  • First Year - Fall Term (17 credit hours)
    • GC 501: Genetics in Medicine. 3 Hours.
      Overview of the clinical evaluation and assessment of an individual with a congenital anomaly, intellectual disability and/or genetic condition; includes introduction to etiology of common genetic conditions, pediatric genetic counseling, and testing and treatment options for genetic disorders.
    • GC 510: Introduction to Genetic Counseling. 3 Hours.
      Introduction to the field of genetic counseling and the basic principles of the profession.
    • GC 560: Genetic Counseling Journal Club. 1 Hour.
      Review, presentation and discussion of relevant literature in medical genetics and genetic counseling.
    • GC 725: Advanced Medical Genetics and Genomics. 3 Hours.
      Medical application of advances in genetics and genomics; chromosome structure and function and major types of chromosomal abnormalities, cancer genetics and cytogenetics; current strategies for detection of mutations associated with genetic disorders, genetic risk assessment and population genetics; genomic approaches to diagnosis and risk stratification.
    • CDS 505: Professional Skills. 1 Hour. Development of professional behaviors and attitudes required for success in healthcare.
    • CDS 610: Research Design and Statistics. 3 Hours.
      This course will introduce the student to clinical research methods and review concepts involved in descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics covered include overview of the research process, literature review, research hypothesis, research designs, sample selection, measurement methods, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics.
    • ECG 621: Theories of Individual Counseling. 3 Hours.
      Educational, vocational, and personal counseling. Observations and simulations.
  • First Year - Spring Term (15 credit hours)
    • GC 504: Prenatal Genetics, Embryology and Teratology. 3 Hours.
      Basic concepts of embryology, teratology and physiology as related to human development and genetic disease and their applications in prenatal genetic counseling.
    • GC 505: Principles of Cancer and Adult Genetics and Counseling. 3 Hours.
      Genetic mechanisms of cancer syndromes, cancer predisposition, and adult onset disorders; psychosocial issues related to these conditions that influence the genetic counseling process.
    • GC 506: Theory and Practice of Genetic Counseling. 3 Hours.
      Development of advanced genetic counseling skills for application in clinical settings.
    • GC 560: Genetic Counseling Journal Club. 1 Hour.
      Review, presentation and discussion of relevant literature in medical genetics and genetic counseling.
    • ECG 638: Practicum I: Clinical Skills / Techniques. 3 Hours.
      Practicum introducing the counseling process.
    • ANSC 656: Human Embryology. 2 Hours. This course uses didactic lectures, lab exercises and student presentations to help students gain an understanding of the major events in human development from gastrulation to birth. Individual units focus on the developmental processes of specific organ systems. the course uses an anatomical focus to describe the morphological characteristics of the developing embryo/fetus. The biochemical and molecular biology of development are only briefly discussed. morphology and anatomy are also related to clinical presentation of birth defects.
  • First Year - Summer Term (7 credit hours)
    • GC 650: Clinical Laboratory Rotation. 2 Hours.
      Exposure to genetic testing protocols, laboratory genetic counseling, and specimen processing and reporting through rotation in biochemical, molecular, and cytogenetic laboratories.
    • GC 651: Clinical Rotation I. 4 Hours.
      Initial clinical rotation to establish basic skill sets in genetic counseling. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer, and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.
    • GC 698: Non Thesis Research. 1 Hour.
      Graduate level research project under the supervision of clinical faculty.
  • Second Year - Fall Term (9 credit hours)
    • GC 560-QL: Genetic Counseling Journal Club. 1 Hour.
      Review, presentation and discussion of relevant literature in medical genetics and genetic counseling.
    • GC 600-SL: Advanced Clinical Skills in Genetic Counseling. 2 Hours.
      This course provides students with advanced genetic counseling clinical skills utilized in reflective practice, industry, and psychosocial counseling. Students will also have opportunities to understand and participate in the lived experiences of people with disabilities through clinical and non-clinical professional duties as a genetic counselor. Attention will be placed on personal and group reflection of these experiences, including service learning with a community partner, and simulations.
    • CDS 605: Survival Spanish for Health Care Professionals. 1 Hour.
      Health care professionals will be introduced to basic vocabulary, useful questions, and expressions in Spanish needed to communicate in practical health care situations. Students will participate in speaking exercises, dialogue, and role-play activities (field-specific scenarios).
    • GC 652: Clinical Rotation II. 2 Hours.
      Students utilize intermediate clinical skills in assigned clinical setting. Students interact with an array of genetic specialists. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.
    • GC 653: Clinical Rotation III. 2 Hours.
      Students will apply progressive genetic counseling skills in a clinical setting. Students will interact with an array of genetic specialists. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.
    • GC 698: Non Thesis Research. 1 Hour.
      Graduate level research project under the supervision of clinical faculty.
  • Second Year - Spring Term (9 credit hours)
    • GC 560-QL: Genetic Counseling Journal Club. 1 Hour.
      Review, presentation and discussion of relevant literature in medical genetics and genetic counseling.
    • GC 602: Advanced Topics in Genetic Counseling. 2 Hours.
      Exploration of advanced topics in genetic counseling related to clinical practice and non-clinical professional duties as a genetic counselor.
    • GC 654: Clinical Rotation IV. 2 Hours.
      Students will apply progressive genetic counseling skills in a clinical setting. Students will interact with an array of genetic specialists. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.
    • GC 655: Clinical Rotation V. 2 Hours.
      Students will apply progressive genetic counseling skills in a clinical setting. Students will interact with an array of genetic specialists. Supervised and direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.
    • GC 698: Non Thesis Research. 2 Hours.
      Graduate level research project under the supervision of clinical faculty.

The list of classes is updated annually.

Contact Us

For detailed information or questions about the curriculum, contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 205-975-4237.