C04374v2 Master of Genetic Counselling
Award(s): Master of Genetic Counselling (MGenCouns)CRICOS code: 098052M
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 96
Course EFTSL: 2
Location: City campus
Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Applications
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Rules and regulations
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The two-year, graduate entry coursework Master of Genetic Counselling is the entry-level qualification for work as a genetic counsellor. This program is developed and delivered by experienced genetic counsellors, supported by expert learning designers, broad consultation with the genetic counselling profession and a skilled Curriculum Advisory Committee.
The program is delivered in a way that actively supports students to study from their home areas by utilising a combination of asynchronous interactive online learning and synchronous weekly, timetabled ‘live and online’ classes, supported with an on campus block each session. Expert guest lecturers participate throughout the course, ensuring relevance and real-world application of coursework. On-campus learning takes place in the Graduate School of Health's education and research facility at UTS City campus.
Alongside the coursework, students participate in clinical placements, sourced by UTS, throughout the two-year program. Placements are offered in a variety of settings in Australasia and may include the option of an approved international placement for interested students. Placements are supported by weekly reflective practice supervision. Students undertake research training to equip them with the skills to provide evidence-based care, talk with clients about research participation and findings and seek opportunities for higher degree research in the future.
Course aims
The course prepares graduates to work as competent, evidence-based client-centred genetic counsellors. Graduates are prepared to work in both the public and private system, and in new and emerging positions in laboratories, biotech companies, research and education.
Career options
Genetic counsellors have specialist knowledge in human genetics and genomics, counselling and health communication. With rapid developments in genetics and genomics, there is likely to be a range of new opportunities for genetic counsellors in the coming years. Career options include clinical roles in public and private settings, research, education, policy, and laboratory and biotech company genetic counselling roles.
Course intended learning outcomes
| 1.1 | Apply evidence-based genetic and genomic health care to practice across a variety of settings. |
| 1.2 | Apply professional self-awareness through self-reflection to enhance their practice in genetic and genomic counselling to improve client outcomes. |
| 2.1 | Integrate a critical awareness of cultural and societal diversity and disparity in health care into clinical practice. |
| 2.2 | Demonstrate respect and value for diverse ways of knowing, being and doing, in particular recognising the diversity of Indigenous Australians while critically reflecting upon the impact of ongoing colonisation and its pervasive discourse on their health and wellbeing, and integrating this knowledge into practice. |
| 3.1 | Engage and build relationships with people from all walks of life and across diverse communities. |
| 4.1 | Use well-developed research skills to enhance clinical practice through an ability to critically appraise literature and to answer clinical questions. |
| 5.1 | Provide education about genetics and genomics to a wide variety of audiences. |
| 5.2 | Embody the core tenets of the genetic counselling profession, demonstrating professional and ethical behaviour and positively responding to the changing technological environment. |
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.
In addition to a completed Bachelor degree, applicants must have also completed the following subjects at a tertiary level within the last 10 years and must provide relevant subject outlines with their application:
- one biology subject (to first year undergraduate level)
- one human genetics subject (to second or third year undergraduate level, or equivalent)
For prerequisite checking, students must provide a copy of the subject or unit descriptions from the university handbook (or equivalent) of the university where they completed the subjects. If students are unsure whether the previous study meets prerequisite requirements, they can submit the subject outlines for pre-assessment via email.
Applicants must also provide evidence of relevant voluntary and/or paid work in a caring role, demonstrating their ability to work alongside people who are experiencing distress or crisis.
All applicants must write a personal statement of up to 1,000 words. The statement should explain how the applicant meets the selection criteria, identify individual skills and qualities relevant to a career in genetic counselling, demonstrate understanding of the work genetic counsellors do, and attest that it is the students own work.
Selected 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.
Professional and clinical requirements
All successful applicants are required to:
- acquire a Working With Children Check and an Australian National Police Check
- complete a series of NSW Health forms including a Code of Conduct, and
- demonstrate evidence of protection against a number of specified infectious diseases.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 7.0 overall with a writing score of 7.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 584-609 overall with TWE of 5.0, internet based: 94-101 overall with a writing score of 27; or AE6: Pass; or PTE: 65-72; or CAE: 185-190.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
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.
Applications
Local students
Domestic applicants can apply directly or via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as first round applications close on 31 October, and there is no guarantee that there will be further rounds.
International students
International applicants apply via UTS: International.
International applicants, in addition to the above requirements, are required to obtain a police certificate/criminal clearance from every country they have resided in. If a country does not issue police certificates/criminal clearances, applicants are required to complete a Statutory Declaration for Overseas Students.
Course duration and attendance
The course is offered as a two-year, full-time degree. Students are not permitted to enrol part time. In addition to coursework and clinical placements during sessions, students may be required to undertake clinical placements during mid-session breaks.
Course structure
This course comprises a total of 96 credit points. Students must complete a total of eight 6-credit-point coursework subjects, four 6-credit-point research subjects and four 6-credit-point clinical placement subjects.
Course completion requirements
| STM91274 Core subjects (Genetic Counselling) | 96cp | |
| Total | 96cp |
Course program
A typical course program is provided below.
| Autumn B commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn B Session | ||
| 96104 Communication and Counselling | 6cp | |
| 96103 Medical Genetics and Genomics in Practice | 6cp | |
| 96102 Research Methods in Genetic Counselling | 6cp | |
| 96105 Clinical and Community Placement 1 | 6cp | |
| Spring B Session | ||
| 96110 Genetic Counselling | 6cp | |
| 96108 Research Project 1 | 6cp | |
| 96109 Research Issues in Genetic Counselling | 6cp | |
| 96099 Genetic Counselling Clinical Placement 2 | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn B Session | ||
| 96107 Advanced Communication and Counselling | 6cp | |
| 96106 Application of Genetics and Genomics | 6cp | |
| 96114 Research Project 2 | 6cp | |
| 96100 Genetic Counselling Clinical Placement 3 | 6cp | |
| Spring B Session | ||
| 96113 Advanced Genetic Counselling | 6cp | |
| 96111 Genetics and Genomics in Society | 6cp | |
| 96112 Advanced Professional Practice | 6cp | |
| 96101 Genetic Counselling Clinical Placement 4 | 6cp | |
Rules and regulations
Inherent Requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are inherent in or essential to the successful completion of a course. The inherent requirements framework for the Master of Genetic Counselling is based on the following six themes:
- Legal and Behavioural Requirements;
- Communication Tasks – verbal; written; non-verbal;
- Cognitive/Intellectual Tasks – literacy; numeracy; knowledge and information;
- Sensory Tasks – visual; auditory; tactile;
- Physical Tasks – gross and fine motor requirements; and
- Sustainable Performance.
It is a requirement of this course to complete a number of clinical placements. Clinical placements involve a genetic counselling student going into a clinical setting to undertake the practical components of the course required for registration. If a student has a condition or disability that prevents them from completing a placement, completion of the degree may be hindered. Students should consult the full inherent requirements.
Professional recognition
A two-year Master of Genetic Counselling from a program accredited by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) is required in order to apply for Board Eligible status through the HGSA. Board Eligible candidates complete a portfolio of work in order to complete certification as a genetic counsellor and become a Fellow of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (FHGSA).
The UTS Master of Genetic Counselling has received provisional accreditation by the HGSA.
Other information
Register to attend an information session and/or contact:
UTS: Genetic Counselling
email gsh.future@uts.edu.au
telephone +61 2 9514 1448