Question: I am biology major with a psychology minor going into my senior year in college. I am interested in working with families with a history of genetic disorders, such as Down Syndrome or Cystic Fibrosis. I know I don't want to be a doctor or work in a lab. Is there something else I can do in the genetics field?
— Kendall

Response: You may want to look into genetic counseling. Genetic counselors provide information and support to families and individuals dealing with birth defects or genetic disorders They also work with those who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions.

Job Description
Genetic counselors serve as patient advocates. They refer individuals and families to community or state support services. They act as educators and frequently deal with complex scientific and emotional issues with clients. Genetic counselors may identify families at risk, investigate problems present in the family, interpret medical information and analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence. They then review available options.

Genetic counselors may work with those with a history of genetic diseases or disorders. Examples include Huntington disease, muscular dystrophy, PKU, mental retardation, hearing or visual impairments, learning disabilities or a history of certain cardiac, cancer, psychiatric or neurogenetic adult disorders. Genetic counselors may also work with women who have had multiple miscarriages, stillbirths or early infant deaths involving multiple congenital anomalies.

Genetic counselors may also work with older women who are pregnant or are planning pregnancy and pregnant women at high risk due to abnormal screening tests.

They also work with people in specific ethnic groups or geographic areas with a higher incidence of certain disorders, such as Tay Sachs disease, sickle cell, or thalassemias. A subspecialty of genetic counseling, teratology, involves working with pregnant women concerned about the effects of exposure to medication, drugs, chemicals, infectious agents, radiation or certain work conditions.

Most genetic counselors work in university medical centers, others are employed by hospitals, laboratories, classrooms, private medical offices, or in public health or social service agencies.

Education
Genetic counselors must have at least a master's degree in medical genetics or genetic counseling. Predominant undergraduate majors include biology/biosciences, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health and social work.

The following are genetic counseling graduate programs accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling:
California State University Northridge (CSUN)
Genetic Counseling Program
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA 91330-8303
818-677-3611
www.csun.edu
genetic.counseling@csun.edu
The CSUN Genetic Counseling Program is a two-year, interdepartmental program sponsored by the Department of Biology, the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, and the Department of Special Education. The program prepares students for genetic counseling careers, including preparation for the certification examination.

Students attend courses for four semesters, and begin clinical rotations in the spring semester of their first year. Clinical training continues through the summer between the first and second years of the program. It is associated with a summer course and clinical training in genetics, medicine and counseling.

Coursework includes Human Genetics, Biochemical Genetics, Cytogenetics, Molecular Diagnostics, Treatment of Genetic Disorders, Dysmorphology, Normal and Atypical Development, Principles and Practice of Genetic Counseling, Cultural Differences, Ethical, Legal and Social Issues, and Research Methods.

Tuition for graduate students with seven or more units of coursework is approximately $1,800 per semester.
University of California Irvine (UCI)
Department of Pediatrics
Building 2, 3rd Floor
UC Irvine Medical Center
101 The City Drive - ZOT 4482
Orange, California 92868-3298
714-456-5789 or 714-456-5791
www.ucihs.uci.edu/pediatrics/
UCI 's program was started in 1973 and was one of the pioneers in genetic counselor education. The program is based in the Division of Human Genetics at UC Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC).

During the six academic quarters of the program, students complete a sequence of core courses covering medical, quantitative, biochemical, molecular and cancer genetics, screening, teratology and embryology, cytogenetics, counseling theory, research methodology, ethical issues and community resources. Experiential professional training occurs concurrently with formal coursework and over the summer between years one and two.

Degree requirements include a minimum of 75-quarter units, completion of a research thesis that should be publishable, and demonstration of appropriate professional skills in genetic counseling. Successful completion of the program fulfills the curricular and clinical training requirements for eligibility to sit for examination by the ABGC. Quarterly tuition and fees for residents is approximately $2,900.

Licensing/Associations
While licensing is not required in California, the American Board of Genetic Counseling offers national certification.
American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC)
9650 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814-3998
301-634-7316
Publications: Certification exams.
www.abgc.net
ABGC@genetics.faseb.org
The American Board of Genetic Counseling prepares and administers examinations to certify individuals who provide genetic counseling. It also accredits training programs in the field of genetic counseling.

The ABGC Certification Examinations are offered every two years. To achieve ABGC certification, applicants must pass both the general examination and the genetic counseling examination within two consecutive examination cycles. Examination eligibility requirements vary depending on the educational program completed.

The Application Review Fee is $350. The General Examination fee is $500. The Genetic Counseling Examination is $450.
National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)
233 Canterbury Dr.
Wallingford, PA 19086-6617
610-872-608
Publications: Conference, newsletter, journal
www.nsgc.org
FYI@nsgc.org
NSGC offers full membership to individuals who have a master's degree or Ph.D. from a genetic counseling training program, or a related field, or who hold certification in genetic counseling by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Student membership is offered to students enrolled in a genetic counseling master's degree program.

Membership benefits include access to the members' directory, job site and connection service, online news and journals. Also included is funding opportunities, member rates on national and regional educational conferences, continuing education units for all NSGC conferences, and resource links. Annual dues are $175 for full membership and $100 for student membership.

Pay
Entry-level genetic counselors earn $50,000 to $60,000 in the Los Angeles area.

Outlook
The genetic counseling profession is rapidly expanding and diversifying. Heightened public awareness coupled with scientific advances have increased the demand for genetic counselors.

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Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.