February 6, 1995
Cal State Northridge has become the first California State University campus -- and only the fifth university west of the Mississippi -- to offer a master's degree in genetic counseling. The two-year program, implemented this past fall, prepares students to work with parents whose children are at risk of developing genetic disorders or with people who themselves are at risk.
The field, which is only about 25 years old, is expected to burgeon as new genes and genetically transmitted diseases are discovered, said Mary Corcoran, Biology Department chair and a teacher in the program, which unites the departments of biology, educational psychology and counseling, and special education.
"Genetic counselors don't give advice," Corcoran explained. They educate parents or other clients about the disorder, the diagnosis, and the course the disease is likely to take, and they explain the alternatives available in terms of treatment, education, and resources, she said.
In cases where parents need longer-term therapy to cope with the situation, the counselors refer them to licensed therapists.
About 1,000 genetic counselors practice throughout the country. Most work for hospitals, some are in private practice. Others are employed by clinical laboratories, educating physicians and other medical personnel about the meaning of lab test results.
"Northridge's program differs in emphasis from the other two in California," said Stanley Charnofsky of the Educational Psychology and Counseling Department.
"UC Irvine stresses the medical and technical aspects, UC San Francisco emphasizes counseling," he said. "We wanted to strike a balance between the two, along with a cross-cultural approach."
Five students were accepted for the first year's program out of 22 applicants -- all of whom were women.
As word spread that Northridge might implement the program, dozens of prospective students wrote in, asking to apply.
"We didn't have to advertise at all," Corcoran said.
Contact: Carmen Ramos Chandler, Director of News and Information, (818) 885-2130.