Graduate
Diploma in Genetic Counselling
Master of
Genetic Counselling
Hunter
Genetics and the Faculty of Health
University
of Newcastle
The University
of Newcastle in conjunction with the Hunter Genetics Unit administers and
teaches courses in a clinical setting allowing a strong emphasis on clinical
experience derived from attendance at Genetics Clinics held on site,
problem-based learning and the clinical relevance of all areas taught.
The teachers
of the three major courses: counselling, clinical genetics and human genetics
are all working in clinical fields of counselling/social work, genetic
counselling, and clinical genetics. Visiting lecturers provide specialist
seminars and lectures on ethics, gene therapy, cytogenetic and molecular
laboratory methods and evolution. All are engaged in the practical application
of their science to patients.
Students come
from diverse backgrounds including science, psychology nursing, teaching and
social work programs. A bachelor degree or equivalent professional experience
is required for entry to the Graduate Diploma program. A background in
counselling programs/courses or professions is desirable but not essential.
Candidates for the course are selected by academic qualifications or
professional experience and interview.
The Graduate
Diploma program runs for two semesters and consists of enrolment in 4 (10 unit)
courses each semester totalling 80 units of study. The result of at least a
pass grade is required for all courses. The courses include:
¨
Introductory Counselling (SWRK6130A Professional Counselling Skills Part A in
semester 1 and SWRK 6130B Professional Counselling Skills Part B in semester 2:
10 units each)
Counselling theories and techniques
through seminars and video-role play tutorials. Subjects include the arts of interviewing,
listening and breaking of bad news and the theories of counselling. Attendance and an assignment are assessed.
¨
Human Genetics (HUBS 6301 Human Genetics 1 in semester 1 and HUBS 6302
Human Genetics 2 in semester 2: 10 units each).
The basic science of Human Genetics,
including basic cell structure and function, DNA structure, replication,
transcription and translation, mitosis and meiosis, human embryology, normal
and abnormal cytogenetics, interpretation of different molecular DNA analyses,
molecular and cytogenetic correlates of the different forms of inheritance.
¨
Clinical Genetics (HUBS 6303 Clinical Genetics 1 in semester 1 and HUBS 6304
Clinical Genetics 2 in semester 2: 10 units each)
Students are taught the natural
history, aetiology and burden of genetic, congenital and adult onset conditions
most commonly encountered in clinical genetics practice, both by informal
seminars and discussion groups, and by direct involvement in genetics clinics. Supervised by the genetic
counselling clinic coordinators, students obtain information from families
either by telephone interview or home visit before the clinics, attend the
clinic visits and follow up visits.
Students also attend the Prenatal Diagnosis Clinic at John Hunter
Hospital. Topics in which the students
obtain valuable experience include the collection of family medical and social
information for drawing pedigrees, the use of pedigree-drawing programs, and
the use of medical and genetic databases.
¨
Practicum/Project (HUBS 6315 Practicum and Project
Part 1 in semester 1 and HUBS 6316 Practicum and Project Part 2 semester 2: 10
units each)
This course
consists of a practical and project component, both of which must be completed
successfully.
The practicum consists of two placements of
three weeks, each in different localities of the student’s choice. These can include outreach clinics, hospital
and genetic clinics in other cities, laboratories, fertility centres, genetic education
centres and genetic support group organisations, enabling the students to see
how clinical genetics and genetic counselling are carried on in the
workplace. There will be a maximum of
two students to each placement location at the same time.
The project/essay component enables students to
identify an area of investigation within the genetic counselling field, conduct
an effective literature search and a detailed proposal suitable for submission
to an ethics board. Finally, in Semester
2 –
(a) Submit a long case as per the guidelines set down by the
Genetic
Counselling Board of Censors
(b) Produce a resource for dissemination of
genetic information
within a family network
Indicative
fees for the Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling program for Australian
students are $8400 for 80 units in 2005. Students will be required to pay a
General Service Charge. Fees for International are available on inquiry.
Successful
completion of the Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling is sufficient for
Part I Accreditation with the Australian Society of Genetic counsellors
(ASGC). Graduates are able to practice
as Associate Genetic Counsellors and continue on to Part II and full
accreditation through supervised clinical experience. For more information on accreditation in
Australia please see www.hgsa.com.au
International
students will need to apply to the accreditation board in the country in which
they wish to practice.
One year full-time or two years part-time
A Bachelor degree from an approved tertiary
institution or other approved qualifications plus completion of any required
prerequisite or co-requisite studies. As
places are limited, admission into the program will be subject to satisfactory
performance in an interview with a program selection committee. Applications
close on 30 November in the year prior to commencing study. If this date falls on a weekend, then the
closing date will be 5.00pm on the next working day after 30 November.
The approved program of study is:
|
Course Code |
Course Name
|
Units |
Semester |
|
HUBS6301 |
Human Genetics 1 |
10 |
1 |
|
HUBS6303 |
Clinical Genetics 1 |
10 |
1 |
|
SWRK6130A |
Professional Counselling Skills (Part A) |
10 |
1 |
|
HUBS6315 |
Practicum and Project Part 1 |
10 |
1 |
|
HUBS6302 |
Human Genetics 2 |
10 |
2 |
|
HUBS6304 |
Clinical Genetics 2 |
10 |
2 |
|
SWRK6130B |
Professional Counselling Skills (Part 2) |
10 |
2 |
|
HUBS6316 |
Practicum and Project Part 2 |
10 |
2 |
The Master of Genetic Counselling runs for two semesters, consists of 40 units of study and is offered in the year following the successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling. The courses require the completion of a research project, to be described in a mini-thesis.
Research
projects have included an investigation into the incidence of cystic fibrosis
mutations in the infertile population, the implementation of genetic screening
for haemochromatosis in the workplace, and the psychological impact of offering
cystic fibrosis carrier screening to couples attending a nuchal translucency
clinic.
Indicative
fees for the Master of Genetic Counselling for Australian students are $4,200
for 40 units of study in 2005 (in addition to the fee for the Graduate Diploma).
Students may be required to pay a General Service Charge. Fees for
International are available on inquiry.
One
and a half years full-time. Holders of a Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling, or holders of Part
One of accreditation by the Board of Censors in Genetic Counselling, Human
Genetics Society of Australasia, may be granted credit and may complete the
program earlier.
¨
Successful
completion of the Graduate Diploma in Genetic
Counselling at a level indicative of capacity to complete a Masters
Thesis by research.
¨
Part
one accreditation by the Board of Censors in Genetic Counselling, Human
Genetics Society of Australasia.
¨
Admission
to the program will be subject to satisfactory performance in an interview with
a program selection committee. Candidates may be directed to attend lectures or
seminars, or to undertake other studies, which may be necessary for successful
completion of the research or the thesis.
Applications
close on 30 November in the year prior to commencing study. If this date falls
on a weekend, then the closing date will be 5.00pm on the next working day
after 30 November.
The
first year of the program (semesters 1 and 2) is the same as for the Graduate
Diploma in Genetic Counselling (80 units). The masters program in the second
year requires the completion of a research thesis comprising 40 units.
The approved program of study is:
Course Code
|
Course Name
|
Units
|
Semester
|
|
Human Genetics 1 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
Clinical Genetics 1 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
Professional Counselling Skills (Part A) |
10 |
1 |
|
|
Practicum and Project Part 1 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
Human Genetics 2 |
10 |
2 |
|
|
Clinical Genetics 2 |
10 |
2 |
|
|
Professional Counselling Skills (Part B) |
10 |
2 |
|
|
Practicum and Project Part 2 |
10 |
2 |
|
|
The Master of Genetic Counselling requires the completion of the following courses: |
|||
|
Thesis 1 |
20 |
1 |
|
|
Thesis 2 |
20 |
2 |
|
Australian
Citizens and Permanent Residents must lodge an application through the
Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). For details of how to apply through UAC
visit the UAC website at http://www.uac.edu.au
Direct applications may be accepted for some programs after the advertised
closing date, however there is no guarantee of admission.
International Students wishing to study in Australia should contact
International Admissions at international-admissions@newcastle.edu.au
for details of application procedures, or visit the website at
http://www.international.newcastle.edu.au
Further Information
Prospective students need to be aware that The
Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling and the Masters in Genetic Counselling
are based on a number of principles which may conflict with the students own
value system or culture.
These guiding principles are:
·
Patient’s Autonomy (ie the right to self determination)
This principle is based on the recognition of the
intrinsic value of all individuals, their capacities and their point of
view. It represents the individual’s
personal rule of self, remaining free from controlling influences that prevent
the making of meaningful choices. In
medicine respect for autonomy is evident in the recognition of the patient’s
right to decide what will be done to her body.
The important values and obligations derived from
this principle that are relevant to genetic counselling are truth telling,
confidentiality and informed consent.
·
Non directive counselling
The role of the genetic counsellor is to provide
accurate information regarding genetic conditions, recurrent risks and options
available and to facilitate the patient decision making process in a non
directive and supportive manner. Even
though the concept of non-directiveness is in practice difficult the patient
right to make their own decision must be protected. Genetic counselling is a
process, which encourages patient self-reliance and values patient
empowerment. Genetic counselling is not
about giving advice or telling clients what they should do.
·
Respect for the client’s value system
The counsellor has to be prepared to support the client
making decisions that reflect the client’s value system.
·
Counsellor understanding their own value system
The counsellor
is expected to be aware of their own value system and to recognise that their
value system is only one of many and that they must respect the patient’s value
system even if it conflicts with their own.
·
Trust and Confidentiality
The genetic counsellor – patient relationship is a
relationship based on trust and confidentiality.
These Principles are appropriate to the Australian
context and form an integral part of the course. As students will be expected to be able to
work within these Principles, they should consider whether this will cause them
any personal difficulties.
Prospective students are directed to the ASGC Code of
Ethics for further information.
www.hgsa.com.au
CONTACT DETAILS
Facsimile: +61 2
49853105
Email:ann.hammond@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Henry Wellsmore
Program
Convenor
Hunter
Genetics
PO
Box 84
WARATAH NSW
2298
Facsimile: +61 2
49853105
Email:henry.wellsmore@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
For administrative advice including
information on:
Application/Information
package Administrative
Officer
Credit application Box 25,
Hunter Building
Academic transcript CALLAGHAN NSW
2308
Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme Facsimile:
+61 2 4921 6921
(PELS) Email:postgrad-MHS@newcastle.edu.au