This year, the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program at UNC Greensboro celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Genetic counseling provides information about how genetic conditions might affect an individual and their family. A genetic counselor uses personal and family health history to determine how likely it is that an individual or a family member has a genetic condition, and helps them understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.
The program is the first and only of its kind in North Carolina and one of just 50 accredited genetic counseling programs across North America. UNCG was intentionally selected to house the program because of its central location in the state, giving students access to all of the major medical centers in North Carolina. The program was approved by the UNC Board of Directors in 1999, and courses began in the fall of 2000 with an inaugural cohort of seven students.