Fieldwork Training
The program at UAMS offers diverse fieldwork training. Students receive an 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/observations in a variety of genetic clinics in Little Rock, AR, Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville and Lowell), which is ~3 hours from Little Rock; and Memphis, TN, which is ~2 hours from Little Rock.
Summer
Students complete the Novice Clerkship, an 8-10 week internship comprised of 1-2 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 15-16 weeks long and is comprised of 3-4 fieldwork placements. Students rotate through Prenatal, Pediatric, Adult/Cancer, and Specialty clinics in Little Rock, AR; Northwest Arkansas; Tulsa, OK; Memphis, TN; and Springfield, MO. 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 case to be eligible for graduation and the ABGC certification examination. UAMS students typically have 100+ participatory cases.
*Students are required to have their own transportation. Most of the clinics are not within walking distance to the UAMS campus and are not easily accessible by public transportation or taxi.
