The Curriculum

The Health Care Genetics Plan B Master’s Degree requires a minimum of 33 credits.

  1. 17 credits of conceptual coursework
  2. 8 credits of practical coursework
  3. 8 credits of professional development

Didactic, practical and professional cohort courses are selected from a menu of classes in consultation with the students’ academic advisor. This plan of study will be designed based on a student’s prior experience, career goals and those needed to gain mastery of the body of knowledge of the field. There is no specific required sequence of courses, unless a course has a specific pre-requisite course indicated in the course description. There are no required summer components with the exception of directed study/internship that maybe scheduled during the summer months.

Practical course work includes laboratory skill development and data analysis as well as research and/or clinical training through rotations and/or internships. Students are required to demonstrate independence in learning and a willingness to step outside their comfort zone with respect to written and verbal communication and networking with others. Students will complete self-reflections and learning evaluations to prepare an Individualized Development Plan (IDP).

Three faculty members of the University of Connecticut will be appointed to serve as the advisory committee for candidates for the Professional Science Masters in Health Care Genetics, and will assist the student in the selection of courses best suited to meet career aspirations, as well as guide the student toward a complete IDP and critical thinking skills necessary for the work force.

The final requirement for the Professional Science Master’s Degree is passing performance on an exit exam: an original, scholarly piece of work. It is the intent that this exit exam will reinforce the discipline-specific competency and provide an evaluation tool for relevant problem-solving abilities and writing skills.