Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills

The course is offered on a half-year, or one-year, part-time basis.

Students may enrol in one subject at a time and complete the graduate certificate in a 12 month period or may enrol in two subjects at a time and complete in a 6 month period. The workload per subject is 6-10 hours per week.

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Applicants must have:

• Completed Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study with a minimum GPA of 4/7 AND completed one human genetics, genetics, or genomics subject at tertiary level within the last 10 years AND relevant professional experience

Eligible applicants are required to undertake a short interview with a panel and final offers are dependent upon interview rank. Applicants are assessed in the areas of communication skills, interpersonal skills, interest in genetic counselling, and commitment to genetic counselling as a career.

Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:

• Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of Service in one of the following formats:
  • A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
  • A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
  • A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
  • An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
  • A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Scholarships

Prizes and awards

Graduates will be equipped to use genetic counselling skills in the provision of information obtained from genetic and genomic healthcare. Graduates will not be eligible to register or practice as a genetic counsellor in Australia or New Zealand, unless they go on to complete a Master of Genetic Counselling that is accredited by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia for registration as a genetic counsellor.