Health Behavior and Health Education 
M.P.H./M.S. in Human Genetics Curriculum
A 3-year course of study provides students with academic, research, and clinical training. Students will have some flexibility in the sequencing of their program, which will be designed in consultation with the program directors. They will typically spend the 1st and 2nd year completing one year of training toward their public health degree and one year toward their genetic counseling degree. In the 3rd year, they combine training in genetic counseling and public health. Students will be able to develop a strong sense of community in both schools. The program includes academic coursework, an individual research project, and practical experience in genetic counseling and public health. Students are required to complete the following course work in each discipline.
Toward the M.P.H. degree:
- A total of 48 credit hours, at least 24 of which need to come from courses within HBHE
- Breadth, Integration, and Capstone requirements in Public Health (BIC) to ensure a broad exposure to public health topics in the areas of (a) biostatistics, (b) epidemiology, (c) health management and policy, and (d) environmental health sciences.
- Three core HBHE courses including HBHE 600: Psychosocial Factors in Health-Related Behavior, HBHE 651: Program Development in Health Education, and a research methods course
- Two public health genetics courses (HMP 517: Issues in Public Health Genetics and HBHE 669: Genetics, Health Behavior, and Health Education).
- Summer Field Experience (which can be used for a reduction of 3-6 credit hours required for graduation).
- Capstone project.
Toward the M.S. degree:
- 46 hours of graduate study coursework with a cumulative grade point average of B (5.0) in all graduate courses applied toward the M.S. degree.
- Six clinical internships.
- Presentation of two student seminars.
- An individualized, genetic counseling research project in collaboration with a faculty member.
The curriculum fulfills degree requirements, as mandated by the accrediting bodies, for genetic counseling (American Board of Genetic Counseling) and public health (Council on Education for Public Health).
*M.P.H. students may choose to complete an Area of Specialization by taking 4 or more courses in a specific topic area. |
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