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Establishing a New Graduate Establishing a New Graduate Program in Genetic CounselingProgram in Genetic Counseling

AmericanAmerican Board of Genetic CounselingBoard of Genetic CounselingJuly 2006July 2006

The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of professionalism in the field of genetic counseling through a rigorous accreditation and credentialing process. This mission involves setting standards for both graduate training programs and individual practitioners.

ABGCABGC

ContentContent

• Role of ABGC in establishing a new program

• Getting started

• Program requirements

• Accreditation process

• Program structure and length

• Curriculum– Instructional content– Clinical training

ContentContent

• Personnel– Director, co-director– Associate/Assistant director– Medical director– Instructional and clinical faculty/staff

• Resources

• Students

• Acknowledgements

Role of ABGCRole of ABGC

• ABGC establishes and maintains criteria for graduate-level education and clinical training of genetic counselors.

• ABGC accredits graduate programs in North America. Programs must demonstrate that their graduates have achieved a core set of practice-based competencies.

• ABGC regularly updates its accreditation requirements to reflect the changing needs of the profession.

Role of ABGCRole of ABGC

• In 1996, the ABGC established the Required Criteria for Graduate Programs in Genetic Counseling Seeking Accreditation by ABGC.

– The Required Criteria are the minimum standards of quality used by the ABGC to accredit master's degree-granting programs that prepare individuals to enter the genetic counseling profession, and to which an accredited program is held accountable.

– The criteria have undergone several revisions, most recently in April 2006.

• The requirements are posted on the ABGC website.

Getting StartedGetting Started

• Review the Required Criteria document.

• Secure institutional support.

• Identify an adequate number of clinical training sites.

• Complete the application forms.

• Consider contacting program directors from ABGC accredited training programs.

• The chair of the Accreditation Committee is available to address questions.

Program RequirementsProgram Requirements

• The extent to which a program complies with the Required Criteria determines its accreditation status.

• The Required Criteria are to be used for external and internal evaluation of existing programs and should provide guidance for the development of new programs.

• Graduates from ABGC-accredited programs are eligible to apply for the ABGC certification examination.

Required CriteriaRequired Criteria

TABLE OF CONTENTS• Preamble

- Description of the Professional - Accreditation Process- Probation- Termination of Accreditation

  • Section I: General Requirements for Accreditation

- Sponsorship of Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling - Resources - Students - Operational Policies - Program Design - Program Evaluation

TABLE OF CONTENTS  • Section II: Specific Requirements for Accreditation in Genetic Counseling

- Curriculum - Domain I: Communication Skills - Domain II: Critical-Thinking Skills - Domain III: Interpersonal, Counseling, and Psychosocial

Assessment Skills - Domain IV: Professional Ethics and Values

  • Section III: Glossary of Terms Used in the Document

• Section IV: Decisions of the ABGC

Required CriteriaRequired Criteria

Accreditation ProcessAccreditation Process

• Provisional Accreditation

• Full Accreditation (up to 6 years) and Re-accreditation (up to 8 years)

• Probation—when the program falls out of compliance with the Required Criteria

• Revocation/Termination of Accreditation

ABGC Accreditation Decisions ABGC Accreditation Decisions

• Provisional Accreditation

• Full Accreditation

• Accreditation with Restrictions

• Probationary Accreditation

• Temporary Probationary Accreditation

• Denial of Accreditation

• Revocation/Termination of Accreditation

An appeals process is available following any adverse accreditation decision

Program StructureProgram Structure

• Institutional Characteristics

• Staffing

• Students

• Academic

• Clinical

• Research

• Teaching

• Laboratory

• Practice-Based Competencies

• Institutional Resources

Program StructureProgram Structure Institutional CharacteristicsInstitutional Characteristics

• Graduate programs must reside in degree-granting college, medical school, or university

• Some programs are housed in public universities whereas others are housed in private colleges or universities

Program StructureProgram StructureInstitutional CharacteristicsInstitutional Characteristics

• Human Genetics • Biology • Graduate Studies Programs• Pediatrics (Medicine)

• Molecular & Medical Genetics (Medicine)

Some examples of administration-departmental homes

Program LengthProgram Length

• Programs must consist of at least four (4) academic semesters or six (6) academic quarters (may include the summer semester or quarter).

• Programs must provide training over a minimum 21-month period of time, or two academic years.

CurriculumCurriculum

• Educational experiences, including didactic courses, independent study, clinical training, and supplementary activities (e.g., case conferences, seminars, grand rounds, journal clubs) must provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter the profession.

• A program must have an ongoing evaluation system to review the effectiveness of the educational program.

– An advisory board is recommended but not required.

• A program must systematically use the information obtained in its evaluation to foster student achievement of the practice-based competencies.

Instructional ContentInstructional Content

• Principles of human genetics– Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance– Population and quantitative genetics– Basis of human variation and susceptibility– Family history and pedigree analysis– Normal development/abnormal development– Human reproduction

• Applicability of related sciences to medical genetics– Cytogenetics– Biochemical genetics– Molecular genetics– Embryology/developmental genetics– Teratology– Cancer genetics

Instructional ContentInstructional Content

• Principles and practice of clinical/medical genetics- Clinical features and natural history of a broad range of genetic

diseases, complex common disorders and syndromes of unknown etiology

- Understanding the diagnostic process, including dysmorphology, syndromology and physical assessment

- Understanding genetic testing, including cytogenetic, molecular, biochemical, prenatal diagnosis, preimplantation diagnosis and assisted reproductive technology

- Utilizing risk assessment skills

- Use of genetics literature, databases and computerized tools

Instructional ContentInstructional Content

• Psychosocial content– Theories of counseling– Interviewing techniques– Individual psychosocial development– Family dynamics– Dynamics of grief and bereavement– Multicultural sensitivity and competency– Crisis intervention

Instructional ContentInstructional Content

• Social, ethical, and legal issues as they pertain to the delivery of genetic services

• Health-care delivery systems and principles of public health

– Health and social policy– Community, regional and national resources– Financial/reimbursement issues– Screening– Genetics as a component of public-health services

Instructional ContentInstructional Content

• Teaching skills– Preparation to identify and address the

genetics educational needs of clients, community and lay groups, students and health and human service professionals

• Research methods– Familiarity with clinical and laboratory

research methodologies and protocols both quantitative and qualitative methods

Clinical TrainingClinical Training

Clinical training must provide students with opportunities to have firsthand experience with individuals and families affected by a broad range of genetic disorders.

ABGC Approved Clinical SettingsABGC Approved Clinical Settings

• Permanent Clinical Settings– Clinical training settings that are a permanent

component of a graduate program

• Ad hoc Clinical Settings– Clinical training settings that may or may not

be affiliated with an established graduate program

Examples of SettingsExamples of Settings

• University medical centers

• Private hospitals

• Community hospitals

• Public health clinics

• Private genetics clinics/centers

• Government research institute

Just to name a few!

Specialty AreasSpecialty Areas

• Pediatric/General genetics • Prenatal genetics • Cancer genetics • Neurogenetics • Metabolic• Adult medical genetics• Hemophilia • Spina bifida• Craniofacial • Teratogen• Down syndrome

• Orthopedic genetics

• Fetal anomalies

• Sickle cell anemia

• Cleft lip and palate

• Ocular genetics

• Hospital consults

• Prader-Willi

• Huntington disease

• Developmental pediatrics

• Bone dysplasia

Just to name a few!

Program PersonnelProgram PersonnelProgram Director or Co-DirectorProgram Director or Co-Director

• ABGC- or ABMG-* certified (if appointed after July 1, 1995)

• If appointed after April 1, 2006, should have at least five years of experience as a genetic counselor

• Knowledgeable and experienced in genetic counseling and related subjects

• Responsible for program organization, administration, planning, development and continual review

• Responsible for compliance with ABGC requirements and communication with ABGC

* ABMG, American Board of Medical Genetics

Program PersonnelProgram PersonnelProgram Director or Co-DirectorProgram Director or Co-Director

Any individual appointed in the role of program director after January 1, 2007, should be employed in that position as at least a 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE).

If there are co-directors, the total FTE should account for at least 0.5 FTE.

Program PersonnelProgram PersonnelAssociate/Assistant Program DirectorAssociate/Assistant Program Director

• Some programs employ an Associate/Assistant Program Director.

• Must be certified by ABMG or ABGC in genetic counseling if the Program Director is not a certified counselor.

• If the Program Director is a certified genetic counselor, the Associate/Assistant Program Director can have a professional background other than genetics (e.g., social work, nursing, education).

• As of April 1, 2006, should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in their respective field of expertise.

Program PersonnelProgram PersonnelMedical DirectorMedical Director

• Must hold a medical degree and be certified by ABMG or CCMG* in clinical genetics.

• Provides guidance and oversight to ensure that the medical components of the didactic and clinical curricula support student development of the practice-based competencies.

* CCMG, Canadian College of Medical Genetics

Program PersonnelProgram PersonnelFaculty/StaffFaculty/Staff

Instructional and clinical faculty and staff play an important role in students’ education.

Program PersonnelProgram PersonnelClinical SupervisorsClinical Supervisors

• Clinical training for students must support the development of the practice-based competencies by coordinating and integrating didactic and experiential training.

• Given the critical role of clinical supervisors, programs are encouraged to formally orient, regularly train, and evaluate those professionals serving as supervisors.

• Programs can use a variety of approaches to train supervisors such as workshops, providing written materials, meeting individually on a regular basis with supervisors. Maintaining ongoing communication is vital to student development.

ResourcesResources

• Appropriate financial, physical, and learning resources must be available to support the program.

• Budgets can vary widely among programs.

• Tuition support, institutional funding, and grant funding can all serve as financial resources for programs.

• Regardless of the source of income, programs must be able to demonstrate long-term financial stability.

StudentsStudents

Student Qualifications: Student Qualifications: Some Generalities*Some Generalities*

• Minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (out of 4.0).

• Above average Graduate Record Exam® (GRE) scores (note: not all schools require the GREs and some require the subject exams).

• Examples of undergraduate majors: biology, psychology, nursing, and life sciences.

• Good communication/people skills as well as a strong scientific background.

* Programs may differ in regards to specific admission requirements. Program-specific information can usually be found at a program’s website.

Minority RecruitmentMinority Recruitment

• The ABGC supports increasing diversity in the genetic counseling profession.

• Programs are encouraged to develop strategies to promote applications from underrepresented populations.

Genetic Counseling Student Genetic Counseling Student Application History Application History

• Average number of programs applied to at first application: 4.78

• Average number of programs accepted to at first application: 1.77

• Largest number of programs applied to at first application: 13; Fewest: 1

• Average number of times students applied before being accepted: 1.22

Data from Lega et al. (2005). Journal of Genetic Counseling, 14 (5): 395-407

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Nancy S. Warren, MS, CGC

• Bonnie Leroy, MS, CGC

• ABGC Accreditation Committee

ABGC Contact InformationABGC Contact Information

Website: http://www.abgc.net/

9650 Rockville PikeBethesda, MD20814-3998