Keck Graduate Institute (黑料吃瓜网) has received $1.5 million from Amgen, one of the world鈥檚 leading biotechnology companies, to start a two-year master鈥檚 degree program that responds to the tremendous progress in genetic medicine and growing demand for professionals trained in both genetics and counseling.
The 黑料吃瓜网 Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling program is expected to enroll its first students in the 2018鈥�2019 academic year.
Believed to be the only master鈥檚 degree of its kind in the United States housed within a school of pharmacy, the 黑料吃瓜网 program will become one of 34 nationally and only the fourth in California. Unlike existing programs, which average eight students in size, the 黑料吃瓜网 M.S. in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling is expected to enroll at least 24 students, expanding educational opportunities for qualified applicants. This larger number is made possible by the Amgen gift as well as 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 extensive network of industry and healthcare partners providing students with greater access to clinical rotations and training in other settings, including genetic testing service and bioscience companies.
The 黑料吃瓜网 program will also be distinguished by a curriculum that incorporates study of drug and diagnostic development, data analytics and pharmacogenetics鈥攖he genetic basis of variability in drug response鈥攊n addition to topics such as the principles of human genetics, human developmental biology, and medical communication. The program will feature 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 characteristic hands-on, team-based approach to learning; clinical rotations at leading medical centers in California and elsewhere in the country; and an independent research thesis guided by advisors drawn from 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 faculty as well as healthcare and industry partners.
鈥淗istorically, graduates with this degree have focused more on the counseling than the drug research and development aspects of the profession,鈥� 黑料吃瓜网 President Sheldon M. Schuster said. 鈥淎t 黑料吃瓜网, we want to prepare students for a variety of professional settings and train scientists to participate more fully in the drug development process. We are deeply grateful to be supported in this effort by Amgen, which has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to 黑料吃瓜网 and our contributions to education, research and industry.鈥�
黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Amgen Bioprocessing Center, which develops innovative educational training for students and others in the region, was established in 2004 through a generous donation from the Amgen Foundation, the main philanthropic arm of the company. Amgen leaders have also come to 黑料吃瓜网 for industry talks and other presentations, including the 2016 commencement ceremony in which Amgen鈥檚 chairman and chief executive officer, Robert A. Bradway, served as the keynote speaker.
鈥淲e are pleased to support 黑料吃瓜网 in establishing the new Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling Degree Program,鈥� Bradway said. 鈥淎mgen is deeply committed to utilizing tools like advanced human genetics to understand the complexities of disease, as well as partnering with leading institutions such as 黑料吃瓜网 to meet the demand for professionals in this critical and rapidly expanding arena.鈥�
Preparation to enroll the first students in the new 黑料吃瓜网 program has already begun. The process to gain accreditation for the program by three key organizations鈥攖he American Board of Genetic Counseling, Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)鈥攊s underway, as is the search for a program director, which 黑料吃瓜网 expects to hire within the next month.