Genetic Counselling
Head: Dr. B. Triggs-Raine
Associate Head: Dr. S. Gibson
Grad Chair: Ms. J. Hartley
Campus Address/General Office: 336 - 745 Bannatyne Avenue
Telephone: 204-789-3593
Fax: 204-789-3900
Email Address: bmgadmin@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/medicine/medicine/department-biochemistry-and-medical-genetics
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Biochemistry website for Faculty information.

Genetic Counselling Program Information

The Genetic Counselling Program offers a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counselling.  This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC).  Graduates will be eligible to sit for certification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) and/or the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC).

Admission Information

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.

Admission requirements for Master’s students are found in the Master’s Degrees General Regulations section of the Guide.

Genetic Counselling M.Sc. Admission Requirements

Applicants require the following:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) that should include undergraduate genetics courses in principles of genetics, cell biology, human genetics and molecular biology
• At least one course in psychology
• Courses in developmental biology, statistics and embryology are an asset but not required
• Minimum 3.7 GPA (on a 4.5 scale) or equivalent in the most recent 60 credit hours of university study
• Practical counselling experience (ex: crisis programs, planned parenthood, peer-to-peer counselling, which usually have a training component)

Application Information

Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the Genetic Counselling M.Sc. program of study page.

Degree Requirements

Students must submit an acceptable thesis and pass an oral thesis examination, all clinical rotations, ancillary experiences and 30 credit hours of coursework.

Expected Time to Graduate: 2 years

Progression Chart

¹

BGEN 7000 is one credit hour over the course of the program.

²

The elective course will be selected from Counselling Skills II (COUNS 0200), Working with Families (COUNS 0240) or Counselling Theories (COUNS 0202) selected in consultation with the program director based on past experience and training (as documented). For course descriptions please visit https://umextended.ca/

Ancillary Requirements

• Course on Research Ethics (CORE)
• Personal Health Information (PHIA) session
• Attend one Patient Support Group Meeting
• Complete one Community Outreach presentation
• Participate in Molecular Diagnostic Out of Centre Meeting
• Participate in Pan-Can Genetic Counselling Rounds
• Participate in Genetic Academic Session:
  1. Present at One Genetic Academic Session per Year
  2. Lead One Journal Club Per Year

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

All new and returning graduate students in the department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics are required to complete a Course Approval Form in consultation with their supervisor prior to registering for courses and making program changes. The Course Approval Form must be signed by the student, supervisor, graduate chair or the department head and submitted to the graduate program coordinator. Only courses that are included on the Course Approval Form will be credited to the student’s program. All course additions and withdrawals (registration revision) must be approved in the same manner by completing or filling out the Registration Revision Form available on the website.

Consult the department office or browse the web for a list of course offerings.

It should be noted that not all courses are offered every year and some courses will be held only with a minimum enrolment. Please check the Aurora catalog to find out when a course is offered.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

• GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
• GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses