The Genetic Counseling Program at The University of Texas-Houston strives to train individuals who can interface between patients, clinicians, and molecular geneticists. Additionally, qualities and skills which would enable a person to be an effective genetic counselor in both a traditional and non-traditional setting are emphasized.

The University of Texas-Houston offers a challenging and unique program in genetic counseling which is administered through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in association with the Division of Medical Genetics in the Department of Pediatrics at the UT Medical School at Houston. The selection process involves submission of an application and an interview at the UT-Houston Medical School. Between 20 and 25 people are selected for an interview from a pool of approximately 80 applicants. Interviews are held in early Spring and final notification of admission to the program is near the beginning of May, in coordination with all of the genetic counseling programs in the United States.

Genetic counseling is an exciting career choice. Genetic counselors work with families to help them understand and cope with the complex medical options and decisions which they now face. In order to determine if genetic counseling is an appropriate career move for you, it is best to take prerequisite courses and volunteer in a setting which allows you to gain experience helping other people and becoming acquainted with the medical community.

Genetic counseling students take classes in the areas of molecular and human genetics, statistics and epidemiology, developmental biology, and ethics, as well as counseling issues and seminars. The majority of course work is completed by the end of the summer after the first year. Clinical rotations and a thesis project dominate the second year. Course work includes:

• Biomedical Statistics
• Genetics and Human Disease
• Molecular and Cellular Approaches to Human Genetics
• Human DNA Variation
• Developmental Anatomy
• Genetic Epidemiology of Chronic Disease
• Topics in Medical Genetics I
• Topics in Medical Genetics II
• Psychosocial Issues in Genetics
• Psychosocial Genetics Practicum
• Ethics in Health Care I
• The Ethical Dimensions of the Biomedical Sciences
• Cancer Genetic Counseling

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