Each student is required to complete a research project on a topic of their choice related to the genetic counseling profession. Students are introduced to the research project in the Winter semester of their first year in the research project seminar (MBG 7999) where they learn about the research process including study design, institutional review boards, data analysis and professional writing. The project is self-directed and generally involves formulating and testing a hypothesis. Examples of student projects might include the following: a report on a small series of cases which illustrates a novel concept or answers a specific question; the evaluation of an innovative educational tool, screening tool, or counseling strategy; analysis and interpretation of data from an existing research project or database to answer a new question; or generation of new data followed by analysis and interpretation to answer an original question. Students present their research findings during the genetic counseling seminar series in the final semester of study. It is also expected that students will submit an abstract of their research project to a national meeting (e.g., NSGC, ASHG, ACMG) and for publication when appropriate. The research project falls under the University’s Plan B for Master’s students.