{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,8]],"date-time":"2026-10-08T16:51:10Z","timestamp":1791478270843,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,17]],"date-time":"2026-08-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786924800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":16,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,1]],"date-time":"2026-08-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1785542400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100002558","name":"Warren Alpert Foundation","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["10089501\u201001"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["10089501\u201001"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100002558","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Journal of Genetic Counseling"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,8]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>\n                    Since the profession's inception, the entry\u2010level and terminal degree for genetic counselors (GCs) has remained a master's degree. Interest in a PhD in Genetic Counseling has been explored previously; however, no studies on this topic have been published since 2015. Given the continued growth in the number of genetic counselors and the expansion of their roles, this study investigated current perceptions of GCs regarding the creation of a PhD in Genetic Counseling. A 56\u2010question, investigator\u2010developed survey collected demographic information, assessed participants' personal interest in a PhD in Genetic Counseling, and included Likert scale questions exploring perceptions of how such a degree might affect the profession, as well as factors influencing participants' decisions to pursue it. A final open\u2010ended question allowed participants to elaborate on their responses. Participants (\n                    <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u2009=\u2009514) had an average of 9.5\u2009years of experience post\u2010master's degree. Most (69.1%) supported the development of a PhD for GCs with several years of experience, while a smaller proportion (57.3%) supported it for recent graduates. Overall, 39.6% had considered earning a PhD, and 37.4% indicated interest in pursuing a PhD in Genetic Counseling. Factors most influencing their decision included time commitment and potential salary increase. Perceived benefits included enhancement of research skills (85.9%) and increased access to faculty positions (83.1%). About half (48.6%) indicated that a PhD in Genetic Counseling could reduce opportunities for GCs with a master's degree. Open\u2010ended comments indicated confusion regarding the distinction between a PhD and other advanced degrees, such as a clinical doctorate. Overall, while many participants supported the development of a PhD in Genetic Counseling, this support remained mixed and tempered by concerns about its impact on master's\u2010trained counselors. These findings suggest that further exploration of the role and implications of a PhD in Genetic Counseling is warranted.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/jgc4.70276","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,17]],"date-time":"2026-08-17T09:12:00Z","timestamp":1786957920000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Exploring Current Perspectives on a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Genetic Counseling"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"35","author":[{"given":"Elizabeth","family":"Coffran","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania  Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA"},{"name":"GeneDX  Gaithersburg Maryland USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tiffiney R.","family":"Hartman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania  Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anna","family":"Madden","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania  Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ashika","family":"Mani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Biostatistics Analysis Center Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania  Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Laura","family":"Conway","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania  Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6515-8982","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kathleen D.","family":"Valverde","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania  Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_14_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10897\u2010006\u20109062\u20103"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jgc4.1743"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7748\/nr.4.3.5.s2"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jgc4.70030"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07399339209516006"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_14_7_1","first-page":"488","article-title":"ASHG\/NSGC Activities Related to Education. The Doctoral Degree in Genetic Counseling: Attitudes of Genetic Counselors","volume":"49","author":"Gaupman K. M.","year":"1991","journal-title":"American Journal of Human Genetics"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jnma.2019.01.006"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nedt.2003.10.001"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.outlook.2021.06.012"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.profnurs.2016.12.001"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbi.2008.08.010"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/nrg.2017.89"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_14_1","volume-title":"Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its Methodology","author":"Krippendorf K.","year":"2004"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jgc4.1801"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/genes15070867"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10897\u2010014\u20109785\u20105"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_18_1","unstructured":"National Society of Genetic Counselors.2024.\u201c2024 Professional Status Survey.\u201dAccessed June 15.https:\/\/www.nsgc.org\/Research\u2010and\u2010Publications\/Professional\u2010Status\u2010Survey."},{"key":"e_1_2_14_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gimo.2024.101887"},{"key":"e_1_2_14_20_1","unstructured":"R Core Team.2021.\u201cR: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.\u201dR Foundation for Statistical Computing.https:\/\/www.R\u2010project.org\/."},{"key":"e_1_2_14_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10897\u2010015\u20109838\u20104"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_14_22_1","first-page":"191","article-title":"Genetic Counselor Training: A Review and Considerations for the Future","volume":"42","author":"Scott J. 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