Program Overview

Master's Program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling

The Master's Program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling at Stanford Medicine is a comprehensive program that provides students with a thorough understanding of human genetics and genetic counseling. The program operates on the quarter system, with students taking six academic quarters of work, including fieldwork rotations and research project development starting in the winter of their first year.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in human genetics and genetic counseling. The program consists of 84 units, with students taking a combination of required and elective courses.

• First Year, Autumn:
  • PATH 299: Directed Readings in Pathology (Embryology)
  • Med 255: Responsible Conduct of Research
  • GENE 271: Human Molecular Genetics
  • GENE 272: Intro to Molecular Genetics
  • GENE 273: Intro to Clinical Genetic Testing
  • GENE 275: Role Play and GC Observations
  • GENE 284: Medical Genetics Seminar
  • GENE 285A: Genetic Counseling Seminar
  • GENE 280: Metabolic Genetics
  • GENE 289: Variant Interpretation
  • GENE 299: Directed Readings
• First Year, Winter:
  • GENE 274A: Case Based Approach to Clinical Genetics I
  • GENE 276: Genetic Counseling Fieldwork
  • GENE 282A: Genetic Counseling Research Seminar
  • GENE 284: Medical Genetics Seminar
  • GENE 285B: Genetic Counseling Seminar
  • GENE 295: Genetics and Bioethics
• First Year, Spring:
  • GENE 274B: Case Based Approach to Clinical Genetics II
  • GENE 276: Genetic Counseling Fieldwork
  • GENE 282B: Genetic Counseling Research Seminar
  • GENE 284: Medical Genetics Seminar
  • GENE 285C: Genetic Counseling Seminar
  • GENE 278: Prenatal Genetics
  • GENE 279: Pediatric and Adult Genetics
  • GENE 281: Cancer Genetics
• First Year, Summer:
  • Students will complete clinical rotations on a full-time basis, work on their research projects, and complete online courses GENE 287 (Cardiovascular Genetics) and GENE 288 (Neurogenetics).
• Second Year, Autumn:
  • GENE 284: Medical Genetics Seminar
  • GENE 286: Advanced Genetic Counseling Seminar
  • GENE 276: Genetic Counseling Fieldwork
  • GENE 283: Genetic Counseling Research
  • GENE 287: Cardiovasular Genetics
  • GENE 288: Neurogenetics
• Second Year, Winter & Spring:
  • GENE 284: Medical Genetics Seminar
  • GENE 286: Advanced Genetic Counseling Seminar
  • GENE 276: Genetic Counseling Fieldwork
  • GENE 283: Genetic Counseling Research

Educational Activities

• Medical Genetics Grand Rounds (GENE 284): Students are required to give formal presentations during their second year in Medical Genetics Grand Rounds and Human Genetics Journal Club.

Supplemental Educational Activities

• Stanford Ignite: Students interested in business fundamentals and practical experience to support entrepreneurial ventures or intrapreneurial projects may apply to Stanford Ignite.
• Stanford Health Professions Education and Scholarship (SHAPES) Program: Students interested in medical education may apply to the SHAPES Program.

Exemption Requests

If students have taken a course focused on embryology or bioethics in the past three years and would like to request an exemption, they should send a copy of the syllabus to the program administrator, along with a list of other Stanford graduate courses that they would prefer to take instead.

FAQ for Course Registration

1. All course registration occurs on axess.stanford.edu.
2. Students should register for exactly 18 units during each quarter of their first year and exactly 10 units during each quarter of their second year.
3. Students should sign up for the majority of their courses as letter grades.
4. Second-year students: GENE 283 provides credits for research conducted each quarter to complete the required research project.
5. Students are required to take a research elective to support their completion of the program's research project requirements.