Leadership from the USF College of Public Health have teamed up with faculty across the University and beyond to create the Genetic Counseling Program. USF’s Pediatrics Division of Genetics & Metabolism and Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Orlando Health, Integrated Genetics and other community partners will provide students with the hands-on counseling experience required for graduation.

Leadership

Deborah Cragun, PhD, MS, CGC
Genetic Counseling Program Director

Dr. Cragun is the Program Director for the USF Genetic Counseling Graduate Program. She has over six years of clinical practice in pediatric, prenatal, and cancer genetic counseling at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center. She was involved in the University of Cincinnati’s GC Program as a clinical and research supervisor for nearly three years. After teaching genetics for two years at the University of Tampa, she began researching genetic counseling access, service delivery, and outcomes while earning a PhD in Public Health at USF and subsequently completing a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center. In 2015, she became an Assistant Professor in USF’s College of Public Health where she conducts research, teaches, and serves as the Program Director for the Genetic Counseling MSPH degree program. Dr. Cragun is also currently a Multiple Principal Investigator on a Cancer Moonshot U01 research study funded by the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Deborah Cragun’s CV

Kathleen Pope, MD, MS, FAAP, FACMG
Genetic Counseling Medical Director

Dr. Pope is the Medical Director for the USF Genetic Counseling Graduate Program. She has a BA in biology from Williams College, an MS in genetic counseling from Northwestern University, and her MD from Indiana University School of Medicine. She completed pediatrics residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center and genetics residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center. She is board certified in medical genetics and pediatrics, and has been a practicing clinical geneticist, caring for adult and pediatric patients as well as teaching USF students and residents, since 2012. She is currently the genetics division chief at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando. Dr. Kathleen Pope’s CV

Nevena Krstić, MS, CGC
Genetic Counseling Director of Fieldwork Training

Nevena is a board certified genetic counselor and an assistant professor at the University of South Florida (USF), the Director of Fieldwork Training for USF’s Genetic Counseling Program, and serves as the Program and Research Coordinator at MotherToBaby Florida. In addition to providing counseling as an information specialist at MTB Florida and USF Exposures Clinic, she provides prenatal and preconception genetic counseling in various clinics across the Tampa Bay area. She provides both clinical supervision and coursework instruction for students form the USF Genetic Counseling Program. Nevena earned her BS in Microbiology and Cell Science for University of Florida in 2010 and a MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston in 2012. Nevena Krstić’s CV

Clinical Supervisors, Additional Course Faculty, and Research Mentors

• Deanna Almanza, MS – Clinical Supervisor, USF Pediatrics Division of Genetics & Metabolism
• Emily Anderson, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, UF Health Cancer Center – Orlando Health
• Laura V. Barton, MS, CGC – Course Instructor and Clinical Supervisor, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
• Stephanie Benedict, MS – Clinical Supervisor, Integrated Genetics
• Darcy Berry, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
• Caroline Bertsch, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
• Ryan Bisson, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, UF Health Cancer Center – Orlando Health
• Lisa Brown, MS CGC – Clinical Supervisor, UF College of Medicine
• Jennifer Brzosowicz, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
• Jennifer Claus, MS – Clinical Supervisor, Integrated Genetics
• Devin Fendlay, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Women’s Care Florida
• Kathleen Gewandter, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
• Christopher Griffith, MD – Course Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor, USF Department of Pediatrics
• Carolyn Haskins, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
• Katherine Hehmeyer, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Nemours Children’s Hospital
• Jill Hendrickson, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, UF College of Medicine
• Marcia Jodah MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, ARUP Labs
• Amy Jonasson, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, UF College of Medicine
• Alyson Kneusel, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Tampa General Hospital
• Nevena Krstić, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, USF Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Cheryl Kubas, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Nemours Children's Hospital and Lakeland Regional Health Care
• Marleah Dean Kruzel, PhD – Course Lecturer and Research Mentor, USF Department of Communication
• Lauren Loffredo, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Winnie Palmer Hospital
• Meredith Masiello, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Quest Diagnostics
• Kara Morgan, APRN – Clinical Supervisor, USF Department of Pediatrics
• Jennifer Morrison, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Arnold Palmer Hospital
• Kristan Moxley, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Winnie Palmer Hospital
• Réka Müller, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, USF Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Tuya Pal, MD – Research mentor, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
• Kathleen Pope, MD – Clinical Supervisor and Research mentor, , Nemours Children's Hospital
• Melissa Racobaldo, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor and Research mentor, USF Department of Pediatrics
• Judith Ranells, MD – Course Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor, USF Department of Pediatrics
• Amarillis Sanchez-Valle, MD –Course Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor, USF Department of Pediatrics
• Darrow Speyer, MGC, CGC – Course Lecturer, Invitae
• Heather Stalker, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, UF College of Medicine
• Christine Steele, MS, CGC – Course Instructor, Invitae
• Radha Sukhu, MS, GC – Clinical Supervisor, UF Health Cancer Center – Orlando Health
• Katie Sullivan, MS, CGC – Winnie Palmer Hospital
• Diana Tully, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Quest Diagnostics
• Susan Vadaparampil, PhD – Research mentor, Moffitt Cancer Center
• Deena Wahba, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, BayCare Health Systems
• Tatiana Wing, MS, CGC - Clinical Supervisor, USF Pediatrics Division of Genetics and Metabolism
• Nicole Wood, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Sarasota Memorial Hospital
• Abigail Zale, MS, CGC – Clinical Supervisor, Winnie Palmer Hospital

Genetic Counseling Program Advisory Board

• Dr. Deborah Cragun, PhD, Assistant Professor and USF Genetic Counseling Program Director, College of Public Health
• Ms. Nevena Krstic, MS, CGC, Director of Fieldwork Training, USF Genetic Counseling Program, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine
• Ms. Laura Moreno, MS, GC, Clearview Cancer Institute, USF GC Program Alumna
• Dr. Sarah Obican, MD, Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine
• Dr. Tuya Pal, MD, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
• Dr. Kathleen Pope, MD, Assistant Professor and Medical Director, USF Genetic Counseling Program, College of Public Health
• Dr. Judith Ranells, MD, Chief, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Morsani College of Medicine
• Ms. Darrow Speyer, MS, CGC, Florida Association of Genetic Counselors/Invitae
• Dr. Thomas Unnasch, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, College of Public Health
• Dr. Jerome Yankowitz, MD, Interim Chair & Professor Emeritus, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine
• Dr. Heather Zierhut, PhD, University of Minnesota Genetic Counseling Program Director

Clinical Rotations
Students of the USF Genetic Counseling Program complete two 7-week preparatory rotations during the spring semester of their first year. During the summer between their first and second years, students go on a 6-week full time rotation. During their second year, students complete a laboratory rotation, an industry rotation, and four 7-week core rotations over the course of the fall and spring semesters.

Clinical rotations during the academic year are in the Tampa Bay area, Orlando, Lakeland, and Sarasota. This requires that students have reliable transportation to get to their clinical rotations.   During the summer, students are encouraged to leave the Tampa Bay area to get experience with different clinics and populations. USF has established summer rotation sites in Gainesville, Miami, Orlando, and Sarasota, and the number of sites available for summer rotations will expand as we grow the genetic counseling profession in our state.  Students have also sought summer rotations in other states (usually where there is not already an established Genetic Counseling Program).

Other Experiences
During their time in our program, students attend the Genetic Counseling Book & Movie Club, USF Pediatric and USF Prenatal Grand Rounds, case conferences, tumor boards, and other activities and events to enhance their education. After their first year, students attend the annual Florida Association of Genetic Counselors (FLAGC) meeting, and in their second year, students attend the National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Meeting (NSGC). 

Genetic counseling is a growing profession with a wide array of employment opportunities. Genetic counselors work in a variety of clinical, laboratory, industry, and research settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of genetic counselors is expected to grow 29%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. You can learn more about the genetic counseling profession by visiting the website of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).

Graduates of the USF Genetic Counseling MSPH Concentration are able to sit for the ABGC Board Exam and become Certified Genetic Counselors, and this is the only program at USF with this opportunity. The first-time pass rate of the ABGC Board Exam for our program’s graduates is 71%, and 93% of all graduates have passed the ABGC Board Exam. 100% of our graduates have been employed in genetic counseling positions. 

The Genetic Counseling MSPH program admissions requirements can be found at USF Graduate Admissions or College of Public Health Graduate Admissions. There are three parts of the application process for the USF Genetic Counseling Program: the SOPHAS application, the abridged USF Graduate Admissions application, and the Genetic Counseling Match registration. Given the competitive nature of the Genetic Counseling MSPH Concentration, we suggest that you review the recommendations for strengthening your application in the FAQ section.

Applicants to the Genetic Counseling MSPH Concentration must submit all application materials by December 15th each year to be competitive for admission in the following fall semester. This is based on the admission timeline as determined by the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors. We highly recommend that you submit your application in November or early December and check with SOPHAS often to ensure the application is verified.

SOPHAS Application
An application must be completed, and the application fee paid in SOPHAS. If you have questions regarding this application, please contact cophinfo@usf.edu.

All application materials must be submitted through SOPHAS. Application materials include:

• All original transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (even if the credit was transferred to or is reflected on another transcript)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose (approximately 2 pages double spaced)
• 3 Letters of Recommendation from academic and/or professional sources
• TOEFL scores (if applicable)
• WES evaluation for applicants with degrees earned from outside the U.S.

USF Graduate Admissions Application
After submitting the SOPHAS application, applicants will receive an email from COPH Graduate admissions with a link to an abbreviated version of the USF Graduate School application to complete. This includes an application fee for the USF Graduate School. Do not attach application materials with this abbreviated application, only upload application materials to SOPHAS. If you have questions regarding this application, please contact cophinfo@usf.edu.

Genetic Counseling Match Registration
All applicants must register and pay a fee to participate in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match that is administered by the National Matching Services. Only applicants registered for the match can have their applications reviewed. Please visit the Genetic CounselingAdmissions Match website for more information on the matching process and how to register.

Estimation of Program Costs
Please visit the UniversityController’s Office website for Tuition and Fee information to view current graduation rates. The USF Genetic Counseling Program currently requires a total of 42 credit hours (21 credit hours per year).

Degree Requirements
GeneticCounseling MSPH Program of Study
GeneticCounseling Course Descriptions

Rotation Requirements
Rotations are held throughout the Tampa Bay and Orlando regions. Students complete two 7-week preparatory rotations in their first spring semester, a 6-week full-time summer rotation, and four 7-week rotations during their second year (two rotations per semester). These rotations are in the areas of cancer, pediatrics, and prenatal. Several sites have specialty clinics included in the overall rotation. Students are also required to complete a laboratory and an industry rotation. For more information, see the Experiential Learning section.

MSPH Thesis
All USF Genetic Counseling students are required to complete a formal Master’s thesis. Although most genetic counselors do not go into research, the objective of conducting research is to help students develop skills in succinctly summarizing existing literature, problem-solving, data analysis, writing, evaluation, and critical thinking, which are useful skills in any setting they may practice.

Each student will work with guidance from their Thesis Committee Chair and Members to create a defined research project for which the student is the principal investigator. During their first semester as part of PHC 6756: Population Assessment I, students will conduct a literature review. Then in the second semester students begin a 3-part clinical research course series, where they will refine or develop the research question and hypothesis, write the specific aims and research plan, and complete IRB forms (in some cases these may be amendments to existing studies). After this, the student will collect data, analyze it, and write a manuscript that is suitable to submit to a peer-reviewed journal. This step-by-step process over the course of their two years will help facilitate the publishing of student research.

Cumulative Exam and Board Examination Practice Test
All USF Genetic Counseling students are required to take a comprehensive exam at the end of their first year and a practice board exam at the end of their second year. The USF Genetic Counseling Program has a 0% attrition rate since it first admitted students in 2017.

• USF is home to the first and only ACGC accredited Genetic Counseling Program in the state of Florida.
• USF is the only Genetic Counseling Program to award an MSPH degree (Master of Science in Public Health).
• USF graduated its first class of MSPH students in May 2019.
• 100% of USF's GC graduates are employed in a genetic counseling or related position.
• The USF GC Program has a 0% attrition rate since it first admitted students.
• The first-time pass rate of the ABGC Board Exam for our program's graduates is 76.5%, and 100% of all graduates have passed the ABGC Board Exam.

FAQs:

Is there an Open House?

The USF Genetic Counseling Program hosts an open house each fall semester. The date and information on the Open House are sent to the prospective student email list in late summer each year. The Open House is an opportunity for anyone who is interested in learning more about the field of genetic counseling and our program. Prospective students will have the opportunity to hear from our program director and leadership, current students, and clinical supervisors. The past several years the Open House has been co-hosted with the Florida Association of Genetic Counselors (FLAGC).

Previous Open Houses have been recorded and are available for viewing:
2021 VirtualOpen House, Thursday, October 7, 2021 – Time codes for the sections of the Open House are listed below:
00:49 Welcome and introduction to genetic counseling
17:10 Day in the life for genetic counselors in different specialties
1:06:10 Recommendations for preparing for a GC graduate program
1:27:30 Q&A session with genetic counselors
2:01:10 Overview of USF Genetic Counseling Program
2:17:13 Introductions to program faculty and current students
2:31:30 Q&A session with USF Genetic Counseling Program  

2020 VirtualOpen House, Wednesday, October 21, 2020

How can I strengthen my application?     

• Have a familiarity with genetics and biology because they provide a foundation upon which the program builds. Courses in Biology, Genetics, Psychology/Counseling, and Statistics/Probability would strengthen an application. There is no ‘expiration date’ on coursework, but if a course was taken a long time ago applicants will want to demonstrate they have kept up with or brushed up on new information in the field and that they have a sufficient science background to succeed in the program.
• Prior counseling or advocacy experience is highly encouraged. Examples include peer counseling, crisis hotlines, a pregnancy counseling center, or working with individuals who have genetic conditions or disabilities.
• Applicants should have a good understanding of the genetic counseling profession. Many applicants accomplish this by shadowing or interviewing genetic counselors and by attending one of USF’s annual GC Open Houses or similar events at other institutions. A clear understanding of the genetic counseling profession can be conveyed through a well-written statement of purpose.

Are there specific things USF’s GC Program looks for in an application?kjjj

• There is no single formula for success and we value a variety of experiences. USF’s GC Admissions Committee takes a holistic look at the applicants’ work/volunteer/life experiences and understanding of and passion for both genetic counseling and public health in the personal statement, letters of recommendation, and grades.
• Applicants who demonstrate a familiarity with the genetic counseling profession and those with an interest in public health tend to stand out.
• The USF GC Admissions Committee wants to hear why the applicant is interested in USF’s Genetic Counseling Program.
• The overall undergraduate average GPA of students admitted to our program is a 3.5.
• To get an idea of the varied work and volunteer experiences students have had before coming to our program, you can look at the student bios on our Instagram page (usfgcprogram). For shadowing opportunities in Tampa and Orlando, see the FAQ document linked below.

What is the student selection process for entrance into the USF GC Program?

• USF follows the same general admissions timeline as other genetic counseling training programs across North America and participates in the NMS GC-Match. See the Genetic CounselingAdmissions Match website for more information on this process.
• Typically, over 100 applications are verified through SOPHAS each year for USF’s GC Program. USF interviews approximately 30 students in late March and early April and accepts 5 students through NMS GC-Match (results released in late April).
• The number of students the USF GC Program can accept is based on the number of clinical rotation sites and supervisors in the Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Sarasota areas. More positions may be available as we grow the genetic counseling workforce in our area.

Do students see diverse populations during their clinical rotations?

• In Tampa and Orlando, we have diverse populations (including Spanish-speakers).
• Miami has an even larger Spanish-speaking population, and we have opportunities for students to rotate in Miami with bilingual genetic counselors on the full-time summer rotation.
• USF’s GC Program has graduated two Spanish-speaking genetic counselors, one of whom is now a clinical supervisor for our program.

Is it possible to complete the USF GC Program with a full-time job or online?

• Unfortunately, there is little flexibility in the program structure. The clinical rotations occur during the day, and the days of the week vary depending on the rotation site. Courses are generally held in the afternoon and evening. We do not have an option for students to attend part-time, since the order of courses is set and offered on a full-time schedule.
• At this time, there is no online option for USF’s GC Program. Students must attend courses at USF’s Tampa Campus and complete clinical rotations in the Tampa Bay area.

To view more FAQs, click here.

To learn more, please contact a Pre-Admissions Advisor at (813) 974-6505 or preadmissions@usf.edu.

Questions about the Genetic Counseling Program and requests to be added to the USF Genetic Counseling prospective student mailing list can be sent to geneticcounseling@usf.edu.

Follow our students on Instagram at usfgcprogram.