Research

Master’s Research Project (Capstone)

Each genetic counseling student in our program will be required to complete an individual Master’s Research Project as a requirement of graduation from the program. The research project should demonstrate the student’s ability to address a research question relevant to the discipline and practice of genetic counseling. The purpose of the Master’s Research Project is for students to gain experience in research methods, institutional requirements for research, including the IRB approval process, evidence-based approaches to problem solving, professional writing, presenting research, and self-directed learning to increase their professional growth.  It is expected that the Master’s Research Project will add to the body of knowledge in the genetic counseling field.

Two research methods courses and a course on ethics in human research in the first year allow students to talk through ideas and study designs that conform to ethical research practice. Each student receives guidance by a Master’s Research Project Committee in topic selection, research protocol development, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript writing. During the second year, Master’s Research Project earns course credit via enrollment in HUM GEN 596 Directed Individual Study.

Students are expected to:

• write up their Master’s Research Project in a publishable paper format;
• develop an abstract of the project suitable for submission to a professional meeting such as the annual meeting of the National Society for Genetic Counselors;
• create a poster presentation of the project suitable for presentation at a professional meeting;
• present the project at a Graduate Research Colloquium that will occur shortly before graduation;