The Clinical Genetics and Genomics Online Graduate Certificate Program includes a curriculum aimed at acquiring a knowledge base and skill set in clinical genetics and genomics using unique, innovative, and research-proven strategies eliciting engagement and interactivity. Program Director and licensed certified genetic counselor, Maria Gyure, worked closely with instructional designers through CETL and eCampus to develop courses aligned with Quality Matters (QM) standards. QM is a continuous improvement model for assuring quality of online courses through a peer review process. The Clinical Genetics and Genomics instructional team includes Maria Gyure, MS, LCGC (Institute for Systems Genomics), Dr. Judy Brown, CG, MB (ASCP) (Institute for Systems Genomics), Andrew Galinski, CG, (MB) ASCP (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) and Sharon Lavigne, MS (Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health). Together, they provide students with instruction and mentorship from professionals within the field of clinical genetics and genomics.
The program graduated its first cohort in May of 2020, which included eight students. Students arrived with diverse careers and career goals such as genetic counseling, pharmaceutical consulting, nursing, research, and clinical laboratory science. Feedback from students on the utility of the program was overwhelmingly positive. This year, class sizes are expanding as all courses have been approved as electives for UCONN Health’s Masters in Clinical and Translational Research (MCTR). Students in MCTR include medical fellows in Maternal Fetal Medicine as well as Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility. The program welcomes its second cohort this fall. With twenty students currently enrolled and more beginning in the spring, it has nearly tripled in size and continues to expand the diversity of how students will utilize this certificate.
The ISG is expanding its program offerings- if you are interested in working with faculty to lead or assist with the development and offering of a graduate certificate program in a growing area of recognized training need for a discipline within health, genetics and/or genomics – please contact ISG director, Dr. Rachel O’Neill.
If you wish to learn more about the Clinical Genetics and Genomics Graduate Certificate Program, please visit their website at https://clinicalgeneticscertificate.online.uconn.edu or email the Program Director, Maria Gyure at maria.gyure@uconn.edu for more information.