About the UAGCGP
The Genetic Counseling Graduate Program at the University of Arizona is a graduate program offered through the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the University of Arizona Health Sciences. Graduates of this two-year long program will graduate from the University of Arizona with a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling, preparing them for a career in this rapidly growing field. Our program combines classroom-based coursework with real-world experience working with practicing genetic counselors and physicians in the clinic.
UAGCGP students will benefit from UA's rich biomedical research and clinical training programs in both Tucson and Phoenix. With campuses and medical schools in both cities, students will have the opportunity to train with clinicians, researchers, and experts in the field of genetics and genomic medicine.
The mission of our program is to provide a well-rounded education in genetic counseling through rigorous and diverse academic, clinical and research experiences, preparing the next generation of genetic counselors in an ever- evolving landscape.
Our program's objectives are to prepare graduate students who will be able to:
- Work as a member of a genetic/genomic health care team
- Interpret family and medical histories to assess the likelihood of disease occurrence or recurrence.
- Provide patient counseling to promote informed personal and medical choices, as well as adaptation to the risk or condition.
- Incorporate issues related to diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusiveness into professional practice
- Educate clients, clinicians and the public about genetic conditions, inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and research on inherited conditions.
We invite you to explore our website and our program.
Please contact our Graduate Coordinator, Kathy Ben at kben@arizona.edu if you have questions.
The UA previously had a genetic counseling graduate program, which operated from 1995 to 2005 and consistently received outstanding academic reviews. Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in genetic counseling, working in healthcare, academia, and private industry. The GCGP has been re-established at UA with strong administrative support and significant progress in the fields of genetics and precision medicine in the UA Health Sciences. The Precision Health Initiative at UAHS and the Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine have pivoted the UA to a national leadership position in genetics and precision medicine.
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
The mission of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) is to provide pre- and post-doctoral, medical and graduate education in an interdisciplinary environment through research activities, to advance knowledge of biological structure as related to function and disease from the molecular level to the whole organism. Our expertise encompasses cellular, molecular, and developmental biology, genetics, bioinformatics, toxicology, parasitology, and neurobiology, with a strong emphasis in imaging. Our research faculty are highly collaborative and take multidisciplinary approaches to their research.
University of Arizona Health Sciences
The mission of the University of Arizona Health Sciences is to improve health and human potential by educating the next generation of health care professionals, investigating and solving critical health care problems, providing compassionate and culturally sensitive care, and building healthier communities for all. UArizona Health Sciences includes the College of Medicine – Phoenix, College of Medicine – Tucson, College of Nursing, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, and Health Sciences Global and Online.
Program Accreditation
The University of Arizona Genetic Counseling Graduate Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), located at 7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102. The ACGC can be reached by phone at 703.506.3266 or through their website at www.gceducation.org.
Contact Information
Program Director
Chris Stallman, MLS, MS, CGC
520.626.3410
Stallman@pharmacy.arizona.edu
Associate Program Director; Research Director
Valerie Schaibley, PhD
520.626.1621
vschaibley@arizona.edu
Program Coordinator, Senior
Kathy Ben
520.626.2713
kben@arizona.edu