Campuses:
Twin Cities campus
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
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Twin Cities Campus
Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics M.S.Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development TCBS
Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development TMED
Graduate School
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
MCDB&G Graduate Program, 6-160 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street S.E., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-7470, fax: 612-626-6140)
Email:
mcdbg@umn.edu
Website: http://mcdbg.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Genetic Counseling Focus: The master of science in MCDB&G is offered with a focus of study in genetic counseling. It is offered for full-time study, and designed to provide students with the academic foundation and clinical expertise necessary to enter the profession of genetic counseling. The curriculum integrates selected coursework with firsthand experience in the diagnostic medical genetics laboratories and supervised work in multiple clinical genetics settings with patients and families. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling and all graduates are eligible to apply to the American Board of Genetic Counseling for active candidate status and sit for board certification.
Joint Degree Program: MCDB&G also offers a master of science that is part of the Joint Degree Program in Law, Science, and Technology. This program is unique in the nation and enables students to combine a JD degree with a PhD or MS degree. Students entering this program must be admitted to both the MCDB&G program and the Law School. Admission qualifications for MS and PhD students are identical; only the student's career objectives distinguish the degree that they pursue.
MS Research Degree: Eligible students who were admitted to the MCDB&G doctoral program, but who leave before they have completed their PhD, may be offered the option to complete the MS degree. Eligibility is determined by the student's adviser and the MCDB&G DGS.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
An undergraduate or master's degree in the biological, chemical, or physical sciences is preferred.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Applicants to the MCDB&G with the genetic counseling focus are required to have completed courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry, general genetics, statistics and probability, and psychology. In addition, all applicants to the genetic counseling focus must have some type of client advocacy experience such as volunteer or paid work with troubled teens, working in a shelter for battered women, or a suicide prevention hotline, etc. The best experiences afford the applicant the opportunity to work in a helping profession.
Successful applicants to the JD/MS must have previous research experience in an academic or industrial setting in addition to any course-related laboratory experiences. It is important to demonstrate familiarity with and aptitude for basic science research prior to embarking on a graduate career in this program. Recommended academic preparation includes coursework in molecular biology, genetics, biology, and biochemistry.
Special Application Requirements:
Applications to the genetic counseling focus of study are stronger if the applicant has spent some time with a practicing genetic counselor either in the clinical setting or in some capacity such as personal interviews that affords the applicant a real life understanding of the profession.
Applicants to the JD/MS program must submit three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their academic and research capabilities. A statement of interests and goals, a complete set of transcripts, and scores from the General Test of the GRE are required. The GRE Subject Test in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, biology, or chemistry is strongly recommended, but not required. The recommended date for receipt of completed applications is December 1. Graduate studies begin fall semester. Entry into the JD/MS program requires separate admittance to both the Law School and the MCDB&G Graduate Program.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
14
major credits,
6
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is written and oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
14 to 40
major credits and
6 to 10
credits outside the major.
The final exam is written and oral.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:All Plan B students must complete a research or capstone project that is scholarly in quality, and present their results at their final oral examination. Projects that qualify for the genetic counseling focus include those that study a genetic counseling problem and add to the existing genetic counseling literature; produce materials that add to the profession such as teaching materials or ways of evaluating the service; or produce educational materials needed by patient populations or the general public. Other Plan B students are expected to produce a report approximately 15 pages in length that thoughtfully discusses an important scientific topic that the student and adviser agree upon. The report should include an introduction that explains the significance of the topic, a review of the literature or an analysis of a specific aspect of the area and a discussion regarding current or future endeavors.
This program may not be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 2 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
The genetic counseling focus of study is offered under Plan B and is designed to be completed in 4 semesters and the interim summer. Most of the coursework takes place in the first year, leaving more open time during the second year for clinical experience. Students must complete a minimum of 40 graduate credits with at least 30 credits in the major area of study, a plan B project paper, and a final oral exam. Students will be placed in laboratory and clinical observation experiences during the first year and five clinical genetic counseling internships during the second year. Students will complete a minimum of 800 hours of direct patient contact. Students must earn a passing grade in their five clinical internship rotations and present a completed log of at least 50 clinical cases before final oral exam. Only under exceptional circumstances will the course of study be varied to meet the needs of a student with many of the courses already completed or with extensive clinical laboratory experience.
Students in the JD/MS program or PhD to MS students may complete the MS under Plan A or Plan B. Plan A requires a minimum of 24 course credits and 10 thesis credits; Plan B requires a minimum of 24 course credits and the completion of a Plan B paper. Students take a core curriculum, which is multidisciplinary and contributes to both the major and minor or related field requirements. Students may choose a concentration or specialization within the program such as cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, or human genetics.
Degree Focuses
Genetic Counseling
Year 1
Students will take courses that focus on medical, human, and behavioral genetics and genetic counseling practice. Students will have the option to choose between several electives from law and ethics, public health, and counseling psychology. In addition, students will observe in a clinical setting one day per week and gain experience in the clinical laboratories one day per week.
Summer
During the summer between the first and second year of the program, students will begin their first clinical internship rotation where the student will have patient responsibilities. This rotation will be a full 10 weeks long with the expectation that students will spend between 2-3 days per week in the clinic. The minimum time in the clinic will be 20 hours per week but will ultimately be set by the clinical supervisor and may exceed the minimum.
Year 2
Students will complete course work in counseling skills, psychosocial issues in genetic counseling, and ethical issues in genetic counseling. In addition students will spend 2-3 days per week in the clinic seeing patients and families under the supervision of a board certified genetic counselor.
-OR-
Academic Focus
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
Joint Degree Program in Law, Science and Technology.
Students may take a total of 12 credits in common
among the academic programs.
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