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Sarah Lawrence College and its Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership and NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences today announced the launch of a master’s program in genome health analysis (GHA).
Designed to meet the new and evolving needs of professionals, patients, and healthcare systems, the Genome Health Analysis program will address a vital need in the fields of genetics and genomics: bridging the gap between the vast amount of genomic data available today and the small number of professionals trained to use and apply that data to improve patient healthcare. Guided by faculty at two institutions renowned for their long standing impact and expertise in the fields of genetics and genomics, students will be immersed in experiences and gain skills not yet offered by other degrees.
“Sarah Lawrence has had a leading role in the genetic counseling profession since 1969, when the College created the first—and still largest—genetic counseling masters program in the United States,” said Sarah Lawrence College President Cristle Collins Judd. “We’ve built on that expertise with the recent launch of the Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership, and this new partnership with NYU Grossman and its renowned Vilcek institute is an exciting next step as we seek to meet critical societal needs in this space.”
Over the course of the two-year program, students will train to become a new class of genetics professionals, learning to use and analyze complex genomic data and then translate that data for patients to deliver personalized healthcare and improved health outcomes. Through a curriculum that features the most critical aspects of this blended field, students will gain necessary foundational knowledge in human genetics and genomics, bioinformatics, and healthcare systems; learn the fundamental computer science, informatics, and computational skills needed for analyzing complex genomic and medical data; build competence in translational care coordination, particularly communication and collaboration; and develop professional identities as change agents charged with iterating on standard practice to produce improvements.
“We are dedicated to the mission of training future scientists and critical thinkers by fostering an inclusive environment that supports scientific discovery and professional growth,” said Claire Davis, EdD, MS, CGC, co-director of the new master’s program and director of the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College. “We aim to achieve this by developing the highest-quality academic program in genome health analysis for our student scholars.”
“Our program was designed to meet the evolving needs of health care systems, health care professionals, and patients with respect to genetics,” said Anna Cantor, MA, MS, CGC, also co-director of the GHA Master’s Program and program director of genetics education at the Center for Human Genetics and Genomics. “The combined experiences available from our partnering institutions support the development of strong, professional change agents who will be valued members of innovative, genomics-oriented multidisciplinary health care teams.”
Culminating in a degree from NYU’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the program is designed to be typically completed in two years. It includes coursework, case-based skills labs, and a practicum for immersion in future work environments. The GHA requires a minimum of 48 credits, begins in the fall, and spans four semesters.
Requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (GPA of 3.0 or higher is encouraged), relevant coursework, a statement of purpose that demonstrates an interest in genetics and healthcare, and two letters of recommendation. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are now being accepted.
Learn more about the MS in Genome Health Analysis.
About Sarah Lawrence College’s Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership
The mission of the Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership (GEWL) is to build a world in which all people have access to the benefits of genetic and genomic science. The Institute seeks to create an inclusive community committed to the ethical, equitable, and effective integration of genomic technologies into society, built on the belief that we can achieve a world where all people have access to person-centered care. The Institute is creating this future through thought leadership and research, fostering community conversation, and creating innovative programs designed to catalyze the integration of genomics and precision medicine at scale with a diverse, compassionate, and thriving workforce.