Mission, Goals and Objectives

MGC Training Program's Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives

Mission Statement

The Master's in Genetic Counseling Program is committed to the education and clinical training of genetic counseling students to become successful, broad-based clinicians able to practice in a wide variety of settings, both clinical and research. The Program is dedicated to providing students with the knowledge of medical genetics as well as the complex legal, ethical and psychosocial issues inherent in the field of genetic counseling. We are committed to the education and training of students studying to become Genetic Counselors and recruit and develop faculty to serve as exemplary role models for our students.

The Program accomplishes its mission by providing challenging course work, interactive seminars and conferences, and diverse laboratory and clinical rotations to its students in a nurturing atmosphere, conducive to learning.

The MGC Program is continually changing and maturing with each new class. Student feedback is incorporated in the curriculum and clinical training and is highly encouraged. Students, faculty, and staff of the MGC Program come to know each other well.

We are excited to have you join us at the University of Maryland's Master's in Genetic Counseling Program as you begin your career as a genetic counselor.

Goals

To achieve the mission of the Program, faculty and students shall:

1. Demonstrate clinical reasoning to provide genetic counseling based on best evidence
2. Demonstrate a broad range of knowledge in genetic conditions and testing
3. Demonstrate effective communication skills for a variety of context
4. Exhibit ethical and professional behavior
5. Engage in ongoing, focused scholarship
6. Promote respect for and participate in inter-professional collaborations
7. Disseminate new and existing knowledge through a variety of mechanisms
8. Exhibit exemplary leadership in the profession and society
9. Engage professionally in diverse cultures and communities to identify health care needs and improve global health and wellness.

Program Objectives

Foundational Knowledge

Define and demonstrate understanding of terminology and application of genetic counseling practice.

Applications

• Examine the influences of personal and community-based value systems on patient care, recruitment into the GC Profession, research, and professional development within the field.
• Facilitate informed decision-making with an emphasis on inclusive, client-centered, and values-based practices.
• Design, plan, and carry out all elements of an IRB-approved independent study project, with the intention of engaging in each aspect of the research process.

Integrations

• Integrate justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion-based positive patient care ideology into genetic counseling practice.
• Assess and critique inequities based on accessibility, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, disability, social-economic status, and other cultural influences. Make connections between barriers in differing underrepresented groups.
• Develop a self-reflective practice to engage in the many supervisory relationships during training and to explore a personal framework for a future role of supervisor to students.

Human Dimension

Be aware of barriers to inclusive patient care and professional development through analysis of normative culture and underrepresented communities.

Caring

Make a commitment to uphold the code of ethics of the genetic counseling profession.

Learning How to Learn

Value and develop the skills needed for a professional ideology that embraces awareness and University of Maryland, Baltimore values – respect and integrity; well-being and sustainability; equity and justice; and innovation and discovery.