C.W. Post Launches Long Island’s First Master’s Degree in Genetic Counseling

Brookville, N.Y. -- As genetic testing becomes more available and patients face decisions based on the likelihood of medical conditions, the need for professionals who can help them understand and act on genetic test results is increasing rapidly.

The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University has addressed this growing need by launching a new Master of Science program in Genetic Counseling. The only one of its kind on Long Island and only the third in New York State, the two-year program, accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, is expected to begin in the fall of 2010.

A genetic counselor is a vital member of a health care team who is trained to evaluate a patient’s personal and family history for inherited medical conditions, including certain birth defects or inherited cancer syndromes. Serving as a resource to patients, physicians and other health care professionals, genetic counselors provide risk assessment for hereditary diseases, implement appropriate genetic testing, and help formulate follow-up plans for individuals found to have a genetic problem.

With a focus on the basic science and the clinical and psychosocial aspects of genetic counseling, students will improve critical thinking skills and become proficient in current human genetic biology and counseling practices through didactic classroom training, clinical rotations, supplementary education activities and a research thesis.

Utilizing existing courses and resources from the departments of Biology, Biomedical Sciences, and Counseling and Development at C.W. Post, as well as the resources of local genetic counseling clinics, the program offers classes in biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, human development, molecular genetics and pathophysiology. Clinical training begins in the summer after completion of the first year of training, and involves rotations in five different clinics including prenatal, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.

Following ABGC accreditation guidelines, graduates will be prepared to pass the ABGC board exams and seek employment as genetic counselors in multiple areas of clinical, laboratory, industry or public health practice. Bhuma Krishnamachari, the former director of genetic services at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois, and an ABGC certified genetic counselor, has been named director of the program, and leads a team of strong clinical, basic science and counseling faculty.

"It is truly a privilege to work in the field of clinical genetics, as I can help patients be proactive about their health by knowing their hereditary background," Krishnamachari said. "This means that people who would almost certainly have developed a disease may have a chance to prevent or lower the chances of that disease. For example, a person who would have developed breast cancer may now be able to avoid the disease. There is no field in medicine that offers as much hope as clinical genetics does."

Genetic counselors nationwide earned an average salary of $58,975 in 2005, according to the National Society of Genetic Counselors. In the region including New York, average salaries ranged from $50,328 for new genetic counselors to $70,905 for people in the profession for 10 years or longer. The society’s Professional Status Survey from 2006 reported high levels of satisfaction with careers in genetic counseling.

The genetic counseling program will join C.W. Post’s other nationally recognized health-training programs in such fields as advanced practice nursing, mental health counseling, clinical laboratory management and the doctorate in clinical psychology.

Applications to the program should be submitted by Feb. 1, although applications received after this date may be considered if space is available. For more information contact Bhuma Krishnamachari, director of clinical genetics, at 516-299-3926 or bhuma.krishnamachari@liu.edu.

Posted: November 24, 2009