Fieldwork Training in the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program

The UAMS Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program offers diverse fieldwork training. Students receive excellent clinical experience in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and multidisciplinary clinics. Students also provide genetic counseling using telemedicine and opportunities to explore non-clinical fieldwork placements.

First Year

Clinical exposure begins in the first semester of a student’s training. Students participate in field placements and observations in a variety of genetic clinics in Little Rock, Arkansas; Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville and Lowell), which is approximately three hours from Little Rock; and Memphis, Tennessee, which is approximately two hours from Little Rock.

Summer Term

Students complete the novice clerkship, an eight- to 10-week internship consisting of one to two fieldwork placements. Students are encouraged to complete this clerkship outside of Arkansas.

Second Year

During the second year of the program, students complete the intermediate clerkship (fall semester) and the advanced clerkship (spring semester). Each clerkship is 15 to 16 weeks long and consists of three to four fieldwork placements. Students rotate through prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer and specialty clinics in Little Rock, Arkansas; Northwest Arkansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Memphis, Tennessee; and Springfield, Missouri. Not all students travel to all sites. In addition, some students spend their second year of the program at a satellite site where they live and complete their clinical training. Students connect for classes over interactive video.

Students must complete a minimum of 50 required participatory cases to be eligible for graduation and the American Board of Genetic Counseling certification examination. UAMS students typically have 100 or more participatory cases.

Students are required to have their own transportation. Most of the clinics are not within walking distance of the UAMS campus and are not easily accessible by public transportation or taxi.