Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
Courses, Practicum, and Capstone
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program is a 5 term, 60-credit professional graduate program that is aligned with the mission of SCU which is to educate genetic counseling students to be competent, caring, and successful integrative health practitioners and professionals. Students will receive robust, interactive online instruction, coupled with unique fieldwork practicum placements, which will prepare graduates to become leaders among healthcare professionals by serving the needs of all patients.
Students must successfully complete three major components of the MSGC program for graduation:
- Online Coursework: Students are required to complete didactic coursework in an online interactive format which aligns with the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling Practice Based Competencies (PBCs).
- Fieldwork Practicum: Students are required to complete Fieldwork Practicum experiences, which includes direct patient care, advocacy, laboratory, research, and other unique supplementary experiences.
- Capstone Project: Students will need to successfully complete a Capstone Project prior to graduation. The project must be aligned with the core values of the university and will provide students with an opportunity to disseminate their research findings throughout the SCU and genetic counseling community, in the form of journal publications, conferences, and other professional settings
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs): The SCU Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) Program’s Learning Outcomes are based on the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) Practice Based Competencies necessary as an entry-level genetic counselor.
PLO1: Demonstrate genetic counseling skills which reflect knowledge and application of genetics and genomics principles, genetic conditions, and testing technologies to the practice of genetic counseling. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #1)
PLO2: Integrate personal and family history information into a personalized genetic client-centered risk assessment, including information on family history, genetic testing, and laboratory data. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #2)
PLO3: Conduct genetic counseling interactions with clients which integrate psychosocial needs assessment through client-centered decision-making processes which facilitate a working alliance to support the client’s decision-making process. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #3)
PLO4: Adapt communication of genetics and genomics information to clients, colleagues, and other community partners through a variety of approaches which are tailored to specific individuals and audiences. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #4)
PLO5: Critically interpret evidence-based data and literature relevant to genetic counseling and contribute to the genetic counseling research process. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #5)
PLO6: Evaluate the role of genetic counselors within the larger healthcare system by engaging in activities and initiatives which analyze how healthcare disparities, inequities, and systemic bias impact patient care. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #6)
PLO7: Conduct genetic counseling interactions in a way which embody the values of the genetic counseling profession self-reflection and compliance with professional scope of practice guidelines, professional ethical codes of conduct, and the promotion of inclusive, just, and equitable environments for all individuals. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #7)
For full program information, view our catalog.
The Mission of the MSGC Program
The mission of the SCU Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program is aligned with the mission of SCU which is to educate genetic counseling students to be competent, caring, and successful integrative health practitioners and professionals.
The vision of the MSGC program is to prepare graduates to become leaders among healthcare professionals by serving the needs of patients with evidence-based medicine, endeavoring to reduce healthcare disparities, promoting healthcare equality, and persevering to innovate the field of genetic counseling for future generations.
The MSGC program’s objectives are grounded in the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Code of Ethics and the University’s four core values which are integrative health, evidence-based practice, health-equity, and inclusivity. Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is committed to maintaining a community of students and employees that reflect, embrace, and value the breadth of diversity including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, spiritual and religious belief, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, and geographic background, consistent with SCU’s core value of Inclusivity.
As reflected by SCU’s value of Health Equity, “we value people’s health equally and want all individuals and communities to have a fair and just opportunity to be healthy.” Therefore, MSGC students will be empowered to impact determinants of health and reduce health care disparities. The MSGC Program will be an ACGC accredited training program for professional genetic counselors at SCU. The program will offer an innovative, holistic, and inclusive Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) degree committed to expanding access to the profession through online course design and a national network of practical fieldwork opportunities.
Program Sequence
60 Credits of Coursework, 5 Academic Terms
Year 1: MSGC Program First Year
| Term 1: Fall | Duration | Block | Credit |
| MSGC500 Introduction to Genetic Counseling | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| MSGC510 Human Genetics IA | 7.5 weeks | A | 2 |
| MSGC511 Human Genetics IB | 7.5 weeks | B | 2 |
| MSGC515 Principles & Practices of Genetic Counseling I | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| Total Term Credits | 12 |
| Term 2: Spring | Duration | Block | Credit |
| MSGC525 Principles & Practices of Genetic Counseling II | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| MSGC520 Human Genetics IIA | 7.5 weeks | A | 2 |
| MSGC521 Human Genetics IIB | 7.5 weeks | B | 2 |
| MSGC524 Experiential Learning I | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| Total Term Credits | 12 |
| Term 3: Summer | Duration | Block | Credit |
| MSGC532 Ethical, Legal, & Social Issues in the U.S. Healthcare System | 15 weeks | AB | 2 |
| MSGC530 Experiential Learning IIA | 7.5 weeks | A | 3 |
| MSGC531 Experiential Learning IIB | 7.5 weeks | B | 3 |
| MSGC535 Research Methodologies & Statistics (Capstone I) | 15 | AB | 4 |
| Total Term Credits | 12 |
Year 2: MSGC Program Second Year
| Term 4: Fall | Duration | Block | Credit |
| MSGC542 Human Genetics III | 15 weeks | AB | 2 |
| MSGC540 Experiential Learning IIIA | 7.5 weeks | A | 2 |
| MSGC541 Experiential Learning IIIB | 7.5 weeks | B | 2 |
| MSGC543 Professional Genetic Counseling Practice I | 15 weeks | AB | 2 |
| MSGC545 Capstone II | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| Total Term Credits | 12 |
| Term 5: Spring | Duration | Block | Credit |
| MSGC552 Human Genetics IV | 15 weeks | AB | 2 |
| MSGC550 Experiential Learning IVA | 7.5 weeks | A | 2 |
| MSGC551 Experiential Learning IVB | 7.5 weeks | B | 2 |
| MSGC553 Professional Genetic Counseling Practice II | 15 weeks | AB | 2 |
| MSGC555 Capstone III | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| Total Term Credits | 12 |
Fieldwork Practicum Requirements
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program requires that students complete all 60 credits and Fieldwork Practicum requirements while enrolled in the MSGC program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) to qualify for degree completion.
The didactic coursework component of the MSGC program is 100% fully online, with no on-campus requirements. The fieldwork practicum component of the program may include experiences that are in-person, remote, or both depending on the nature of the rotation requirements.
Clinical rotations and fieldwork practicums are a graduation requirement for any student attending an ACGC-accredited program. Each student must participate in an on-ground, in-person practicum. Therefore, in-person travel and temporary relocation to fieldwork practicum sites will likely be necessary. The MSGC program has affiliation agreements with fieldwork practicum sites across the country and will strive to work individually with each student to identify and secure rotation sites which make fieldwork placements accessible and affordable. These may be near the student’s place of residence, but this cannot be guaranteed, and students should plan to temporarily relocate at least once during the fieldwork practicums.
The ACGC Standards for Accreditation for genetic counseling require that students must obtain a minimum of 50 required participatory cases and must be with individuals being evaluated for risk of or affected by diverse genetic conditions across the lifespan (i.e. not research participants, not standardized patients). The 50 participatory cases must be supervised by an experienced ABGC, ABMGG, CAGC certified genetic counselor. The MSGC leadership team maintains affiliation agreements with local, regional, and national healthcare clinics and centers to support a diversity of Fieldwork Practicum opportunities for students.
The required participatory cases and supplementary fieldwork experiences are conducted across multiple specialties, including prenatal, pediatric, cancer, and other areas of genetic medicine and patient advocacy. Experiences also take place in clinics, laboratories, research, industry, and other related settings. Students will also gain experience with a variety of healthcare service delivery models including in-person, telemedicine, virtual/online, and group settings.
Program Capstone Project
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program is a rigorous and comprehensive program that culminates in the completion of a Capstone Project. The Capstone demonstrates mastery of the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program to identify a problem in either clinical practice, the health system, genetic counseling education, or the genetic counseling profession, and proposes a solution incorporating the principles of integrative whole person health aligned with Core Values of SCU.
Throughout the Capstone Project series, students will utilize and/or extend existing research to complete a final manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, conference, or other publication. Students will work closely with experienced faculty mentors, a Capstone committee, and program leadership to engage in a structured process of proposal development, literature review, and scholarly writing.