Our Initiative
Even as our country grows more diverse, the genetic counseling profession has only a small percentage of genetic counselors identifying as Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, and other Persons of Color. The USC Genetic Counseling Program will lead by example as we enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within our curriculum and among our faculty, students, and staff. Achieving a genetic counseling workforce that proportionately reflects the population of our state, region, and nation is a priority. To foster an environment where genetic counseling candidates from underrepresented backgrounds flourish, we provide the following opportunities:
For Fall 2022 admissions, we added a Diversity Scholarship Track also reserved for a candidate from an underrepresented ethnic background.
As a national outreach to prospective students of ethnically diverse backgrounds, there are opportunities for reduced registration fees for our online course, Genetic Counseling: Career for the Future.
Our Mentoring Program also has national outreach. We connect prospective students with USC GC students and alumni from diverse backgrounds to foster professional development and introduce potential applicants to the field of genetic counseling.
Our Summer Internship gives preference to regional prospective students of minority background, providing a hands-on experience in preparation for graduate education in genetic counseling.
Our Community Engagement curriculum integrates outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other learning institutions with diverse student bodies. Our students gain experience in education as they inform undergraduates about genetic counseling.
The Program's required reading and discussion materials have been infused with literature and other media exploring cultural insights so that we keep this conversation going.
And the list goes on! As a Program we recognize these efforts will grow, evolve and, with measurable impact, make a difference to the genetic counseling profession and ultimately to those we serve.