Rains to take part in genetics masters program at ISU
Kassi Rains of Greencastle is one of eight students selected for the 2019 cohort for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program at Indiana State University.
The two-year program prepares students with training in genetics, genomics and psychological counseling to enable them to become successful genetic counselors. Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.
During the first year, students are on the Indiana State campus for coursework and clinical experience at the university’s Genetic Counseling Clinic at Union Hospital, as well as other local experiences. During the second year of the program, coursework is online while the students gain first-hand experience working as a genetic counselor in clinical rotations available in pediatric, prenatal, adult and specialty genetics clinics across the country.
Genetic counseling is a young and quickly growing profession that began in the early 1970s with 10 graduates from Sarah Lawrence College. There are currently more than 4,000 certified genetic counselors in the United States and Canada, with the demand growing more quickly than the current training programs can accommodate.
Indiana State’s program is the 33rd accredited genetic counseling program in the U.S. and Canada. With the demand for qualified genetic medical professionals increasing, so has the demand for genetic counseling training programs; however, to allow for more personalized attention, cohort sizes remain small across the country.
At Indiana State, eight students are accepted each year. Students come to ISU with undergraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, psychology, public health and nursing, as well as advocacy experience in crisis counseling or working with individuals with special needs.
Rains graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.