Genetics and Counseling Psychology - Major

For information, contact Dr. Richard Kliman, rmkliman@cedarcrest.edu, 610-606-4666, ext. 3501.

Program Description - Genetics and Counseling Psychology Major (B.S.)

The Genetics and Counseling Psychology major is multidisciplinary, drawing on course work particularly from the Departments of Biological Sciences; Psychology; and Health Sciences.
All students in the major take the same Genetics and Counseling Psychology Core requirements (61-71 credits) and then choose electives that match their interests (12 credits), creating a full program (73-83 credits) that covers the basic content, while allowing the students to further explore areas of interest and making their training broader than in either genetics or psychology alone.  The consensus requirements for admission to genetic counseling programs would be met by successful completion of the major.*  The overall program will provide students with a broad training across both genetics and psychology, preparing them for various careers they may select to pursue.

*Graduate programs, including those in Genetic Counseling, may have specific requirements.  A student aiming for any graduate degree should research program-specific requirements and discuss these with her advisor.

Program Mission Statement – Genetics and Counseling Psychology Major

Within the context of the college’s mission, this program encourages its graduates to take a leadership role in an emerging healthcare field and to use independent thinking skills to investigate the real world impact of genetic variation.  As our understanding of the nature of human variation improves, so will our understanding of the nature of risk.  Students completing the Genetics and Counseling Psychology major develop an appreciation for the complexity of human traits, as well as the strengths and limitations of existing and emerging approaches to understand the bases of traits and the etiology of disorders with at least some heritable variation.

Program Requirements for the Genetics and Counseling Psychology Major

A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 and a minimum average in the major of 2.000 are required for the major in Genetics and Counseling Psychology. A grade of C- or better is needed for all courses that fulfill the program requirements. Courses transferred in for all majors must be taken less than ten years ago. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in prerequisite courses before proceeding to subsequent courses.  Students who withdraw from a course or earn a grade lower than a C- may repeat the course only one time.

Total number of credits required by program: 73 – 83 credits

Course Requirements

Genetics and Counseling Psychology Core:
BIO 123 Foundations in Biology 4 credits
BIO 124 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology 4 credits
BIO 231 Genetics 4 credits
BIO 239  Animal Ecology, Evolution and Development 4 credits
BIO 248 Biostatistics 3 credits
OR PSY 212 Statistical Methods 4 credits
OR PSY 214 Introduction to Statistics 3 credits
OR MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 3 credits
OR MAT 210 Mathematical Statistics and Probability 3 credits
BIO 3XX Human and Biomedical Genetics 3 credits
BIO 320  Biomedical Ethics 3 credits
OR PSY 344 Professional Ethics 3 credits
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
CHE 203 Survey of Organic Chemistry 4 credits
 OR CHE 205/206 Organic Chemistry I/II 8 credits
CHE 217 Nutritional Biochemistry 3 credits
OR CHE 307/308 Biochemistry I/II 7-8 credits
(lab optional for CHE 308)
HLT 101 Introduction to the Health Professions 1 credit
HLT 201 Health Professions II 1 credit
HLT 301 Health Professions III 1 credit
HLT 302 Health Sciences Capstone 3 credits
OR BIO 356 Science, Ethics and Society  3 credits
OR PSY 363 Senior Capstone 3 credits
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
PSY 210 Lifespan Development 3 credits
PSY 215 Biological Psychology 3 credits
OR BIO 200 Introduction to Neuroscience 3 credits
PSY 2xx  Introduction to Counseling 3 credits
PSY 309 Abnormal Psychology  3 credits

Electives (must complete 12 credits)
BIO 217 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 218 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
BIO 300 Evolution 3-4 credits
BIO 332 Developmental Biology 3-4 credits
BIO 335 Molecular Genetics I 4 credits
BIO 336 Molecular Genetics II 4 credits
BIO 339 Biology of Cancer 3 credits
BIO 345 Advanced Recombinant DNA Techniques 3 credits
BUA 211 Introduction to Health Care Systems 3 credits
HLT 270 Health Sciences Internship 1-3 credits
PSY 201 Mind-Body Medicine 3 credits
PSY 211 Experimental Methods 4 credits
OR PSY 213 Introduction to Research Methods 3 credits
PSY 227 Principles of Helping Relationship 3 credits
PSY 251 Health Psychology 3 credits
PSY 270 Psychology Internship 1-3 credits
PSY 304 Stress, Disease and Psychophysiological Interventions 3 credits
PSY 316 Systems of Psychotherapy 3 credits
PSY 317 Learning & Lab  4 credits
PSY 336 Cognitive Psychology 4 credits
PSY 351 Theories of Personality 3 credits
SOC 321 Family as a Social Institution 3 credits
SWK 313 Minorities and Human Relations 3 credits

Genetics and Counseling Psychology Major Outcomes

Upon completion of the Genetics and Counseling Psychology major at Cedar Crest College, a student should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic genetic principles that govern heredity and normal cellular function, and demonstrate a basic understanding of inherited genetic disorders.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the psychology foundations of human behavior, learning, memory, sensation and perception, and development over the lifespan, and demonstrate a basic understanding of abnormal psychology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the counseling profession and demonstrate an understanding of the practice and profession of counselors and the multiple contexts of counseling.
  

Fulfillment of the LAC Requirements

Students fulfill Technology, Oral Presentation, and Information Literacy requirements through successful completion of the following required courses: HLT 101, 201, 301; BIO 235, 236; HLT 302, BIO 356, or PSY 363.

It is a general Cedar Crest College policy that a student must complete a minimum of 18 credits of major requirements through Cedar Crest College course work.