Training Programs

The Johns Hopkins University/National Human Genome Research Institute Genetic Counseling Training Program

Students and professors meeting around a table
Introduction Faculty Research Training Clinical Training Program of Study Admissions Student Life Meet a Graduate FAQ Counseling Resources

Introduction

The accelerated discovery of disease and susceptibility genes made possible by the sequencing of the human genome has brought new and exciting challenges to the field of genetic counseling. The traditional emphasis of genetic counseling has been on providing information coupled with supportive counseling, primarily for people facing reproductive decisions. The field has broadened dramatically to address a multiplicity of emerging needs, ranging from clients seeking disease susceptibility testing to those wanting to know if a therapeutic treatment option is right for them. Therefore, genetic counselors must not only convey to these individuals and their families information about risks but also the consequences of testing and the potential for therapeutic intervention. These choices are laden with uncertainty and raise difficult ethical, legal and social issues.

Genetic information can have profound psychological meaning for clients, particularly for members of families affected by a genetic condition or risk. Decisions about whether to use genetic tests require that clients evaluate scientific information in the context of their personal values and beliefs. Genetic counselors are trained to facilitate decision-making to promote informed choices. When there is no genetic test or therapeutic option to offer, genetic counselors help family members to adapt to the condition or risk, often under conditions of uncertainty.

As the scope of genetic counseling expands and evolves, patient, professional, and community education will be imperative. Increasingly, primary care practitioners are providing aspects of genetic counseling and other genetic services, resulting in a need to educate nurses, social workers and physicians. Genetic counselors play a key role in educating these providers and developing standards of practice. Trained genetic counselors also provide a means for health professionals and patients to communicate with policy makers, the media and the public about new and emerging genetic technologies and services.

Overview of the Graduate Program

Drawing on resources from two outstanding research institutions, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have collaborated to develop a unique genetic counseling graduate program that addresses the growing need for genetic counseling services. The JHU/NHGRI Genetic Counseling Program (GCTP) was established in 1996. Its goals are to prepare graduates to:

  • Provide genetic counseling, with an emphasis on clients' psychological and educational needs.

  • Conduct social and behavioral research related to genetic counseling.

  • Educate health care providers, policy makers and the public about genetics and related health and social issues.

The GCTP distinguishes itself in offering extensive interactive coursework to support completion of high quality, publishable thesis studies. Since its inception, the GCTP has produced a cadre of genetic counselors who broaden the scope of genetic counseling by contributing to a growing research literature that critically examines a variety of aspects of the profession and shapes future directions in the field.

Additionally, program faculty provide students with one-on-one supervision for an hour each week throughout their graduate studies. These sessions offer students feedback based on audiotaped sessions with clients and on interventions consistent with development of counseling expertise.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides a strong academic home for the GCTP, while NHGRI provides funding, instruction and leadership. This collaborative program, which represents the first allocation of federal funds to support graduate education in genetic counseling, is regarded as an important effort to address new challenges resulting from genomics research.

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Last Reviewed: April 2, 2012


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Comments:

  • Mayuri Rohit (August 13, 2012, 05:38)

    Hello, i am Biotechnologist from India and I want a training course online in genetic counseling. Can you kindly send me information about this course or any other. Thank you

  • Becky- Wisconsin (May 29, 2012, 22:53)

    Hi. I am a MSN, Women's Health NP-BC and am interested in training for BRCA counseling for my patient's in an OB/GYN clinic setting. How do I go about this and where can I find an available training course for this education? Thank you.

  • Andres Ossa (April 29, 2012, 08:41)

    I am a surgeon in Medellin Colombia. I want a training course online in genetic counseling in the patient with cancer. Can you send me information about this course or any other please thank you. drandresossa.com

  • Ruth- Kenya (March 15, 2012, 09:04)

    I am a BSN nursing student on internship. Do I qualify for the genetic counseling course?

  • Jose Roncal (March 12, 2012, 06:44)

    I would like to apply for this training. I have a bachelors degree in microbiology and I'm working in cytogenetic filed for 10 years. I'm CG(ASCP) certified and New York licensed, so please let me know how I can apply for this training. Jose Roncal B.S. CG(ASCP)

  • Anne (January 18, 2012, 23:31)

    At 5 months pregnant, our baby's heart stopped beating. The amniocentesis came back normal. The microarray testing came back normal. We do not know what caused our baby to die in the 2nd trimester. I did not drink alcohol or use drugs or smoke cigarettes. We have a healthy 3 year old. I was on prenatal vitamins. My husband and I are looking to honor our baby by potentially making a donation toward research so that in the future couples such as us can be given an answer as to why their baby died at 5 months. Our doctor advised us to contact Johns Hopkins about a group or foundation that we can make a donation in honor of our baby. Who might this be?

  • Oyewale (September 10, 2011, 14:21)

    I want to apply for this training, I hope is it open to a Nigerian working in a Nigeria University?

  • Tulane University Student (May 16, 2011, 02:35)

    I'm looking into applying for this program in 2014. What are you looking for in an applicant when it comes to their Undergraduate degree?

  • Anonymous (August 15, 2010, 02:22)

    Dr Tanus- I too have been looking for an online course in Genetic Counseling. Apparently there is 1, but it is based out of the country. I have learned, from a practicing Genetic Counselor, that the training program requires clinical externships. So, I guess, this means an online program would make it difficult to have a mentor that helps you with clinical in-person settings. Seems as though it would be different for someone like you that is already trained to work with patients but wants to learn more of the genetics side of it. Good luck

  • Dr Jose Vazquez Tanus (June 12, 2010, 19:11)

    I am Cardiologist and research physician, actually owing a clinical research center in Puerto Rico. I already started to get some training in genetic counseling and Genomic Medicine. Does anyone know of any online training program on Genomic Medicine or at least partially online to perform training in Genomic Medicine?

  • S H K Research (April 29, 2010, 13:25)

    Re: New paradigms do not interface with established protocols: Many biological actions are initiated by the action of norepinephrine (NE) upon the B-adrenergic receptor (Bar) and the hepatic enzyme tryptophan oxygenase (EC 1.13. 12.,L-tryptophan: oxygen oxydoreductase),suggesting that although NE level and Bar activity are functionally interdependent, they may be governed by different control mechanisms. The strength of the Bar impulse, and consequently, the BMR, may be determined by TO turnover rate. Thus, TO would play a major role in the events of both indoleamine and (posited) catecholamine pathways, with potentially broad pathological implications. A drawback of most genetics programs which are geared to the public, is that they focus upon established disorders which, summarily, excludes those which are as yet, unrecognized. I would appreciate any information concerning departments and/or facilities which are equipped to address the issue of a genetic TO defect. A 30 yr study of the case at hand has been side-tracked due to the death(s) of clinicians formerly involved with the case. The data in this case are rather extensive, giving good reason for persuing the genetic aspect. Our material includes a 13 yr correspondence with the late director of the biochemistry department at Columbia University, whose elegant studies of TO are widely published. Some guidence here would be appreciated. We are happy to send our material to interested parties if indicated. Thank you.

  • Donna Kerrigan (February 12, 2010, 18:02)

    NCI has added Personalized Medicine for Cancerý to cancer.gov Web site: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/personalizedmedicine The educational series shares with health professionals information about some of the pieces that are being put in place to enable personalized medicine for cancer. Order this material in kit form or view from Web: Understanding Biospecimen Collection This tutorial explains how tissue samples will be collected in a standardized manner and linked securely to consent forms. Understanding Genome-Wide Profiling of Cancer This tutorial describes how technology will capture the genomic profiles present in cancerous growths. Understanding a Cancer Patient's Genetic Background This tutorial stresses how oncologists will weigh a patient's genetic background and medical history along with the genomic profile of his or her cancer. Understanding Targeted Therapies This tutorial shows how several types of molecularly targeted therapies will be used to preferentially treat cancer while sparing normal tissue.

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