2022-15

Motion Introduced by:  Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee

Date of First Reading:    November 22, 2021

Date of Second Reading: January 31, 2022 

Title of Motion: Request from the – College of Health Solutions – for the establishment of a graduate degree – Master of Science – Genetic Counseling

Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.   

Rationale: The Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling prepares students for a career as a genetic counselor where they will apply their knowledge and unique skill set to help advance the understanding of genetics and genomic-related conditions within the communities where they work and live. The graduate program in genetic counseling fulfills ASU's mission, to assume responsibility for the overall health of the communities it serves, by training future genetic counselors to be competent educators and researchers. As educators, genetic counseling graduates will help individuals better understand the role genetics plays on their risk to develop certain diseases. As researchers, genetic counseling graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify methods for how to improve public understanding of genetics and how to use genetic information for disease prevention, in order to reduce the incidence of common disorders such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, thereby improving the overall health of the communities where they work and live.