Program Mission and Objectives

Students

Our Mission

Our mission is to prepare emerging leaders in genetic counseling with a strong foundation in the genetic and genomic sciences, precision medicine, humanistic counseling, and ethical inquiry. 

Program Objectives

Students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that will enable them to:

  • Work competently and collaboratively in any practice setting, integrating and applying a range of evidence-based knowledge of the practice of genetic counseling
  • Acknowledge and embrace similarities and differences in gender, ethnicity, class, culture, race, education, sexual orientation, age, and other aspects of identity
  • Instill and foster direction toward leadership and scholarship in health care
  • Interpret and promote genetic counseling approaches for:
    • Clients and their families
    • Health professionals
    • The general public
    • Fiscal intermediaries and legislators
  • Think simultaneously as a genetic counselor generalist and specialist
  • Acknowledge change as a persistent factor and respond proactively
  • Assume responsibility for contributing to the health policy arena

The competencies for each of the objectives are met through individual courses, research, and fieldwork experiences across the curriculum.

How are these objectives accomplished?

The Columbia University MS in Genetic Counseling is a 21-month graduate program that trains students to translate complex genomic data into compassionate, patient-centered care. Students complete over 1,100 hours of direct fieldwork at top clinical sites including NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. The curriculum blends rigorous science with precision medicine, ethical considerations of scaling genetic/genomic services, and a strong focus on health equity.

Through education, clinical training, research, and community engagement, the program prepares students to identify and address barriers to care, advocate for underserved populations, and contribute to solutions that broaden access to genomic services. Columbia graduates are trained to be leaders in creating a more equitable future for healthcare - one in which genetic expertise is available to all who may benefit from it.

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