COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Genetic Counselling is a two-year graduate entry program designed to prepare students for professional practice as genetic counsellors across public and private healthcare, laboratories, research, biotechnology organisations, policy environments and educational settings. This program supports flexible learning by allowing students to study from their home location through a blend of asynchronous interactive online learning and weekly live, timetabled online classes, supplemented with an intensive week-long on-campus block each session. Teaching is delivered by experienced genetic counsellors and researchers, with input from expert guest lecturers to ensure that course content remains current, relevant and strongly connected to clinical practice. Students benefit from supervised clinical placements supported through weekly reflective practice sessions with qualified clinical genetic counsellors. Throughout the degree, students develop skills in communication, counselling, clinical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and evidence-based care. The program places strong emphasis on research, enabling students to understand research methods, apply critical thinking and communicate research findings with clients and professional teams. The curriculum includes a comprehensive range of subjects such as Communication and Counselling, Clinical and Community Placement, Medical Genetics and Genomics in Practice, Advanced Communication and Counselling, Advanced Genetic Counselling, and Genetics and Genomics in Society. Students also complete multiple clinical placement units and a structured Research Project completed in two stages. This integrated and practical learning approach ensures that graduates are culturally responsive, client-centred practitioners who are capable of working effectively with individuals, families and communities affected by genetic conditions. As the entry-level qualification required to work as a genetic counsellor, the program provides strong professional preparation supported by industry consultation and a rigorous Curriculum Advisory Committee. It is offered as part of the Graduate School of Health.