Curriculum

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling and enrolls 20 students per year. The program is 18 months long. Students are enrolled for six 10-week quarters; three academic quarters their first year (fall, winter, spring), one summer quarter and two academic quarters their second year (fall, winter). Students graduate in mid-March, which is earlier than many other genetic counseling programs. Many of our students feel that this early graduation date gives them a jump-start on the job search and a competitive edge over other graduates.

The curriculum is designed to emphasize the scientific and medical aspects of the profession, along with the counseling and psychosocial aspects. Students begin their fieldwork rotations during the spring quarter of their first year. Early fieldwork placements allow the students to quickly apply and reinforce the concepts they learn in the classroom. In addition, Northwestern has a strong research component, requiring a written thesis and oral defense.

• Competencies
  Learn more about how we define mastery of our field for our graduates.
• Coursework
  Find detail about our didactic learning.
• Fieldwork Rotations
  We offer a wide variety of fieldwork rotation opportunities; learn more.
• Thesis Project
  Review past thesis projects and learn about the work that goes into them.
• Supplemental Activities
  From conferences to field trips, see a list of various activities that round out our curriculum.