Number of Credits: 3
Course Director: M. Elizabeth Ross, MD, PhD
Pre-requisite: enrollment in genetic counseling Master of Science program or permission from the
program director
program director
Course Schedule
Semester: Fall II
Course Description
Working under the supervision of 1 or more supervisors/mentors, students will complete an
independent project/capstone project focusing on a genetics or counseling-related topic of interest. The
project will involve the design of a research study (either quantitative or qualitative).
- A systematic literature review that is a suitable foundation for original empirical research,
- A formal proposal for an original research study, and
- An oral defense of the final project before the student’s Master’s Thesis Special Committee. There is no requirement to see the proposed study through to its completion or submit the literature review for publication, although faculty members will assist if any student is interested in these extra tasks.
Course Goal
To ensure that the student’s formal education is largely completed and to determine that the student
has attained and can effectively employ the breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding
commensurate with the high standards of the degree of Master of Science in Genetic Counseling.