Pre-Genetic Counseling
Essential Courses
| Course # | Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| BI 105 |
|
3 | None |
| BI 121 | Biology Lab I | 1 | BI 105 (corequisite) |
| BI 106 | Structure and Function of Cells and Organisms | 3 | BI 105 and CH 105 |
| BI 122 | Biology Lab II | 1 | BI 105 and BI 121 (prerequisite) |
| CH 105 | Organic Chemistry Concepts I | 3 | None |
| CH 116 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 | CH 106 (corequisite) |
| CH 106 | Organic Chemistry Concepts II | 3 | CH 105 (with C or better) |
| CH 118 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 1 | CH 106 |
| CH 232 | Intro to Inorganic Chemistry | 4 | CH 105 and CH 116 |
| CH 250 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 | CH 232 |
| CH 301 | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology I | 3 | BI 207, CH 250 |
| BI 305 | Biostatistics | 3 | BI 106 or EES 100 |
| OR | |||
| ND.SS 214 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 4 | None |
| BI 207 | Dynamics Of Biological Processes | 4 | BI 106, CH 106, and CH 232 |
| BI 399 | Genetic Analysis | 3 | BI 105 and BI 106 |
| PY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | None |
| EN ___ | English Course (in addition to CWS) | 3 | Varies |
Important Notes:
- Also strongly recommend Physiology, Developmental Biology, Environmental Science and an additional Psychology course, as some schools require these. Also recommend Calculus I and II, Communication courses, Ethics of Health Care, Mental and Physical Handicaps, The Life Cycle, Counseling Theories and Techniques, economics, sociology courses and foreign language (especially Spanish).
- The core courses reflect minimal requirements for most schools. Students are encouraged to take those courses that are strongly recommended. Although this course list will be sufficient for most programs, make sure to check requirements of schools in which you are interested no later than your sophomore year.
- This course list does NOT represent a POE, nor does it cover College requirements. Design a POE in consultation with your advisor.
- Make sure to have an advisor on the Health Professions Committee, preferably Professor Susan Radis.
- In addition to your course work you are required to gain some experience in crisis counseling (ex. Planned Parenthood or a crisis hotline), preferably for at least 6 months. It would also be helpful to shadow a genetic counselor, if possible.
Competitive credentials: Science and overall GPA of 3.0 and GRE of 500 or better in each section
Helpful websites:
- American Board of Genetic Counseling - http://www.abgc.net/ABGC/AmericanBoardofGeneticCounselors.asp
- National Society of Genetic Counselors- http://www.nsgc.org/
- Comprehensive general information- http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career.53.aspx and http://www.clarku.edu/departments/prehealth/careers/genetic.cfm
General Information:
SUGGESTED CORE PROGRESSION FOR Pre-GENETIC COUNSELING*
*If you are planning to study abroad or if you are in accelerated program consult with your Health Professions advisor to plan your course progression
Bolded courses are offered only in the indicated semester and/or require a specific sequence due to Juniata prerequisites. Non-bolded courses are either offered in both semesters or represent open-ended choices, making them more flexible in when they can be taken.
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | BI 105 | Biology Lab II |
| Biology Lab I | Organic Chemistry Concepts II (if C or better in OCC I) | |
| Organic Chem Concepts I | Organic Chem Lab I | |
| Psychology |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Year | BI 106 | Analytical Chemistry |
| Intro to Inorganic Chem | English | |
| Organic Chem Lab II | BI 207 |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Year | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II |
| Statistics | Genetics Analysis | |
| GRE Exam Preparation* | GRE Exam Preparation |
*Both semesters of the year you plan to take the exam.
If you study abroad the SAFEST strategy is to take ALL prerequisite courses for professional school in the U.S., which may require you to take courses in the U.S. over the summer, preferably at a 4 year institution. However, if this is extremely difficult for your situation, check with the professional schools you wish to attend to see if they will accept courses taken abroad and if so, get their response in writing. Also if you have a Biology POE and will not have BI 207 by the time you go abroad, check with the Biology Department to see if there is a Cell and Molecular course you can take abroad that will enable you to take upper level biology offerings at Juniata your senior year that require BI 207 (ex. Physiology, Immunology, and Microbiology)
Be mindful of your POE courses, which are NOT indicated here. For example, if you have a Biology POE, you will need to take Freshman seminar the spring of your freshman year, Frontiers of Biology the fall of your sophomore year, and Biology 207 at your earliest opportunity after completing Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry.
