Genetic Counselling courses
Alison McEwen: UTS and the Graduate School of Health recognised that genetic counseling is a growth area at the moment and that's really because genomic technology is meaning that we have increasing access to more and more genetic and genomic information.
Chris Jacobs: It is a time of huge change for Genetic Counselling, it's a time of huge change for health care and the huge impact that genomics and genetics are going to make for people in terms of understanding disease, treating disease and preventing disease.
Alison McEwen: Quite a few things make this program different from other genetic counselling programs. I really felt that it was really important that we had a course that was accessible and so because of that we're offering this program in our blended mode utilising zoom to have an online classroom.
Chris Jacobs: Teaching students online is very engaging and it's almost like having everybody in the front row because you can see everybody, everybody's engaged, everybody's participating and you very quickly, once you start teaching online, you forget that you're online.
Alison McEwen: It's really an exciting environment. It's just like being in a physical classroom except that we're on a screen.
Gabrielle Flemin: It's just been a really good fit for me personally with the self directed learning I'm really able to take advantage of my time.
Courtney Katrina: It's also an interesting way of learning because we get through the material first and then we can go over the main points.
Erin Turbitt: UTS is the best place to study Genetic Counselling because the academic staff bring a variety of different experiences and knowledge and have worked with world leaders in Genetic Counselling, education and research.
Megan Williams: Girra Maa works with genetic counselling to ensure that indigenous ways of knowing and being and doing are woven into every element of the coursework as possible. Because genetic counselling is taught online, I could be doing teaching while I was out on the country of my ancestors and students wouldn't get that experience to hear from me what that means if we weren't in that online environment.
Alison McEwen: International students can come and study and we really welcome applications and interest from students, particularly I guess from countries where genetic counseling is developing.
Maggie Law: We don't have a master of Genetic Counselling in Hong Kong. We only have the Palmer course for Genetic Counselling. If I want to study master of Genetic Counselling, the most closest place to study is Australia.
Alison McEwen: Graduates of the UTS master of Genetic Counselling will be extremely competent counsellors and really able to go out there and work alongside and empower clients and families as they come to learn about genetic and genomic information in their families.
Chris Jacobs: There are lots of jobs around at the moment for genetic counsellors because there was an expansion of genetics and genomic testing, so there are more and more people wanting genetic counsellors, but I think there's gotta be lots of new roles that emerge over the next year and a half that we don't even know exist yet.
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The Discipline of Genetic Counselling offers the following programs:
- Master of Genetic Counselling
- Master of Genetic Counselling (Research)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Genetic Counselling)
- Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills
Uniquely in Australasia, the Master of Genetic Counselling sits alongside other allied health disciplines in the Graduate School of Health, offering opportunities for inter-professional training and research.
For full course information, including entry requirements and fees, visit the Master of Genetic Counselling course information page.
Brochure: UTS Graduate School of Health Course Guide (PDF, 2.3MB)
Master of Genetic Counselling
Course teaching mode
The UTS Master of Genetic Counselling is delivered as a blended learning program, combining blocks of class work on campus with extensive, interactive online learning opportunities.
Our Master of Genetic Counselling students are on campus for one week each session. During the rest of the session, students attend weekly live and online classes and participate in reflective practice supervision.
Curriculum
The program was developed following extensive consultation with genetic counsellors in Australasia. The course is designed to facilitate future genetic counsellors to be knowledgeable, culturally competent, skilled communicators with well-developed research, clinical and professional skills. Graduates will be ready to work in a diverse range of roles including clinical, laboratory and research.
Students will participate in clinically focused coursework, research training, and gain extensive experience during a range of clinical placements.
Certification as a Genetic Counsellor
The Master of Genetic Counselling course is the entry-level requirement for employment as an Associate Genetic Counsellor. Following completion of the Master of Genetic Counselling, graduates must seek Board Eligibility from the Human Genetics Society of Australasia and have studied with an accredited program. UTS has achieved Human Genetics Society of Australasia full accreditation.
Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills
This is an online skills-based qualification providing access to training to enhance the provision of genomic healthcare.
This program is developed and delivered by experienced genetic counsellors, genetic counselling experts and online educators, supported by expert learning designers, and a skilled Curriculum Development Committee.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills.