Master of Genetic Counselling

This subject will introduce students to the complexity of the human genome, and tools used by genetic counsellors to access information and inform risk assessment. Students will apply these tools in examining the molecular basis of single-gene and mitochondrial genetic diseases, including diseases caused by chromosomal imbalances and rearrangements, and autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, sex-linked, and triplet repeat disorders.

This curriculum is based on the genetic knowledge requirements of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling, which governs the certification of genetic counsellors in Australia. The subject will be delivered via a combination of on-line content and case-based face-to-face tutorials.

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This subject will examine the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genetics and genomics. It will be organised into 3 overarching topics:

• The principles of ethical and legal frameworks will be introduced, and will be applied in the context of genomics in healthcare practice, with consideration of professional and personal values.
• The foundations of public health will be introduced and applied to public health genomics programs, particularly genetic screening.
• Personal genomic testing will be discussed from multiple perspectives, including historical, ethical, regulatory and social. How genetics is communicated and genetic literacy in the community will be explored.

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In this subject, students will explore key counselling and communication theories within a professional healthcare context. With a focus on person-centred therapy, they will develop essential counselling and communication skills, including attending, reflecting, questioning, emotional processing, and confrontation. The subject will also encourage students to examine the complexities of human interaction, cultivating awareness and responsiveness to culture and diversity. Through experiential activities, students will enhance their self-awareness and critically evaluate their practice.

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This subject will prepare students for undertaking clinical research within hospital, community and primary health care settings. Students will develop skills in how to design and conduct empirical research in an ethically appropriate manner. Content includes: development of a research question, study design and methodology, and ethical issues in health care research.

This subject will be conducted as a mix of face to face seminars, online tasks and intensive workshops.

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This subject will examine the roles of both genetic and environmental determinants in the expression of complex disease traits and cancer. Principles of genetic and genomic testing will be investigated and students will learn to apply these in clinical case-based scenarios.

This curriculum is based on the genetic knowledge requirements of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling, which governs the certification of genetic counsellors in Australia. The course will be delivered via a combination of on-line content and case-based face-to-face tutorials.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject builds on foundational counselling knowledge with a strong emphasis on advanced theories, systemic counselling practices, and nuanced clinical applications. It focuses on helping students become proficient in managing complex interactions, such as working with multiple participants, handling emotionally charged sessions, and addressing diverse psychosocial, cultural, and familial influences. Students will refine their use of reflective practice, integrating motivational interviewing, narrative therapy and family systems theory, into real-life counselling contexts. The subject also emphasises self-awareness and professional development through an exploration of transference and countertransference to sustain long-term counselling efficacy.

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This subject offers students the opportunity to design an original research project with academic supervision. The preparation for this subject starts in Semester 1 through the HLTH90014 Healthcare Research: Principles and Designs course. Students are encouraged to collaborate with a research supervisor to develop their own research project and complete any required Human Research Ethics applications. The chosen topics can align with students' personal interests or be relevant to ongoing research in clinical genetics or other healthcare services.

The subject comprises a combination of face-to-face and online seminars, as well as regular meetings with research supervisors. Students will also have access to additional resources and upskilling opportunities provided by the University of Melbourne.

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This subject is designed specifically for Master of Genetic Counselling students, to provide students with an appreciation/understanding of

• the core competencies and skills required for HGSA certification in genetic counselling
• how genetic health care is practiced across clinical, laboratory and community settings and the multidisciplinary nature of genetic healthcare
• the evolving roles of the genetic counsellor in healthcare settings
• the role of support organisations and other health services in the provision of genetic health care
• the possible impacts of health and social issues for individuals and families with a history of a genetic condition
• issues of disability within the family, the community and the impact for the genetic counsellor
• professional practice and roles of various professionals in a community setting
• the role of the genetic counsellor in relation to other professionals in the community

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This subject will introduce students to the principles of genomic variant classification, interpretation and reporting in a clinical setting. Students will apply these principles together with foundational concepts of human genetics and genomics to model clinical practice using examples from specialised areas of clinical genomics.

The intended learning outcomes for this subject are in accordance with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia’s core competencies for training in genetic counselling. The subject will be delivered via a combination of asynchronous on-line content and synchronous tutorials that adopt a problem-based approach to meet the intended learning outcomes.

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This subject will require students to apply foundation clinical care skills including risk assessment, genetic testing, variant interpretation and analysis, to demonstrate how cases in core genomic specialty areas are managed. The role of personalised genomics and precision medicine will also be explored, using examples of emerging treatments for a variety of genetic conditions.

The intended learning outcomes for this subject are in accordance with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia’s core competencies for training in genetic counselling. The subject will be delivered via a combination of asynchronous on-line content and synchronous tutorials that adopt a problem-based approach to meet the intended learning outcomes.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject is a co-requisite for the year-long clinical practice subject (PAED90020), and provides a forum for discussion and reflection of issues arising in the clinical placements, to allow development of the skills learned on clinical placement. Knowledge attained in year 1 will be reviewed and built upon through group discussion. Critical reflective practice will be enhanced through facilitated discussion and consideration of issues that are presented by students, arising in their clinical practice. Students will be encouraged to develop self-awareness, the ability to critically evaluate practice and to enhance practice and genetic knowledge skills through the use of regular supervision sessions and extensive reading. Together with Genetic Counselling Practice 2 this subject will develop the skills of ethical reflective genetic counselling practice.

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This subject is a co-requisite for the year-long clinical practice subject (PAED 90020), and provides a forum for discussion and reflection of issues arising in the clinical placements, to allow development of the skills learned on clinical placement. Knowledge attained in year 1 will be reviewed and built upon through group discussion. Critical reflective practice will be enhanced through supervision, and discussion and consideration of issues that are presented by students arising in their clinical practice. Students will be encouraged to develop self-awareness, the ability to critically evaluate practice and to enhance practice and genetic knowledge skills through the use of supervision and extensive reading. Together with Genetic Counselling Practice 1 this subject will develop the skills of ethical reflective genetic counselling practice. Students will develop an understanding of the career pathways available to genetic counsellors and will demonstrate competence in preparation of a curriculum vitae and development of interview skills for future employment as a graduate of the Masters.

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Together with WELF90009 Genetic Counselling Practice 1 and WELF90008 Genetic Counselling Practice 2, this subject comprises a comprehensive series of courses that enable students to seamlessly integrate theoretical concepts with practical application. Successful completion of this year-long subject necessitates a minimum of 48 days of clinical placements in clinical genetics settings

In this subject, students will engage in a dynamic learning experience that combines observation, supervised practice, and increasing levels of responsibility throughout their clinical placements. The aim is to develop the necessary skills and core competencies required for professional certification by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) (Competency Standards for GCs.pdf (hgsa.org.au)).

Throughout the subject, students will have the opportunity to reflect critically on the scope of practice of genetic counselling and understand the pivotal role of genetic counsellors within multidisciplinary teams (LO1). They will also explore and integrate relevant counselling and communication theories into their practice through observation and hands-on experience (LO2).

Supervision will play a key role in this subject, allowing students to engage in discussions and critical reflections on ethical issues, thereby enhancing their self-awareness (LO3). By actively participating in client consultations, creating comprehensive long case reports, maintaining logbooks, and receiving supervision, students will demonstrate the application of core competencies expected of entry-level genetic counsellors as defined by the HGSA (LO4). These core competencies include effective communication skills, reflective practice, critical thinking, proficient case management abilities, and maintaining professional and ethical standards.

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An original research project will be conducted and a monograph of 5,000 words completed under academic supervision. Preparation for this subject begins in Year 1 when students undertake Healthcare Research: Principles and Designs and new subject Research Project in Human Genomics 1.

Data collection commences in Year 2 and students are required to collect and/or analyse research data, interpret findings and write a monograph to be submitted at the end of Semester 2.

This is supplemented by fortnightly research tutorials, study in existing short courses and other relevant upskilling resources offered by The University of Melbourne.

View detailed information in the Handbook