Genetic Counseling program overview

Providing students with the academic expertise and clinical skills essential for success in the genetic counseling profession.

This is a full-time, two-year Master of Science program, fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). Our objective is to provide students with the academic expertise and clinical skills necessary to enter the profession of Genetic Counseling. We integrate selected course work with first-hand diagnostic medical genetics laboratory and clinical genetics experiences. Graduates will hold a Master of Science degree through the graduate program of Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics in the department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, with an emphasis of study in Genetic Counseling. The Genetic Counseling Program requires that by graduation, students have the capacity to demonstrate the skills described in the Practice-Based Competencies of the ACGC. Upon graduation, all graduates will be eligible to apply to the American Board of Genetic Counseling for active candidate status.

Program Vision and Mission Statements

Program quick facts
  • Established in 1989
  • Accredited by the Accreditation Council of Genetic Counseling, awarded re-accreditation in 2021
  • Accepts 10-12 new students each year
  • Over 200 students have been admitted since the inception of the program
  • Offers teaching assistantships to most first-year students (includes partial tuition remission and stipend)
  • Offers collaboration with Mayo Clinic where students can choose to complete all clinical training at Mayo in Rochester, MN

Our graduates
  • Pass the board exam (93.8% pass rate; national average is 81%)
  • First-time board pass rate for last three classes: 82.5%
  • Job placement rate in a genetic counseling or related position for 2021-2023 is 96.8%.
  • Job placement rate in a genetic counseling or related position for 2022-2024 is 75.7%.
  • Our attrition rate for the past three years is 0.
  • Remain in the field (84% of grads work in the field in some capacity)
  • Attain leadership roles within the profession (NSGC presidents, ABGC board of directors, program directors)
  • Publish abstracts through NSGC or ASHG (31 students in the last 5 years)
  • Publish their master’s degree work in a peer-reviewed journal (21 students in the last 8 years)