The M.S. in Genetic Counseling program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). The program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and proficiencies necessary to practice as genetic counselors in a variety of settings including prenatal, pediatric, adult, and cancer genetics. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).

A total of 62-64 credit hours are required for the M.S. in Genetic Counseling. The program includes required and elective course work, laboratory experience and clinical internships. Students are also required to complete a capstone project as the culminating experience for the degree.

For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants must submit a personal essay, resume, and evidence of successful completion of at least one upper level undergraduate course each in general genetics and biochemistry and at least one undergraduate course in statistics. Applicants who are evaluated as meeting the standards for admission will be invited for a required personal interview with the admissions committee.

It is recommended that applicants have previous experience in a volunteer or paid position working in social service agencies or with crisis counseling organizations. It is also recommended that applicants have previous exposure to genetic counseling via shadowing or internship experiences.

Degree Program Requirements

Required: 62-64 credit hours

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Select a graduate level research course (1-3 credits) tailored to the student's capstone project or research interest with approval of the Program Director.

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Comprises the Capstone Experience.

Elective Courses

An elective relevant to the student’s professional goals will be selected during the second semester of the program. Electives must be approved by the program director. With approval of the program director, students may select an additional (optional) elective in the fourth semester of the program.

Clinical Internships

The clinical rotations are an integral part of the program and serve to provide students with opportunities to increase their general clinical knowledge, gain experience with genetic counseling for a variety of indications, and develop the necessary skills and competencies required for the practice of genetic counseling. Under the supervision of on-site, board-certified genetic counselors, students will progress from observation to participation in various aspects of clinical genetic services. Evaluation/feedback of the student’s activities and progress will be an ongoing component of the clinical rotations. At the end of each rotation, a formal written evaluation will be conducted by the Clinical Supervisor and reviewed with the student. Students will be required to keep an accurate logbook of clinical cases according to guidelines provided by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. Students will complete a summer clinical rotation (GEN 698 Summer Clinical Rotations) during Summer Session II of the program. Summer clinical rotations will be available at the following sites: Carolinas Healthcare System, Duke University Medical Center, Fullerton Genetics Clinic, Cone Health System, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Women’s Health Specialties in Wilmington. Students may also make arrangements for a summer clinical rotation at another site with permission of the program director.

During the second year of the program, students will be assigned to four clinical rotations (GEN 718 Clinical Rotations I/GEN 719 Clinical Rotations II). Second year clinical rotations will be available at the following sites: Carolinas Healthcare System, Duke University Medical Center, Cone Health System, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Fullerton Genetics Clinic.

Research Project

The culminating experience for students in the genetic counseling program will be a formal research project (GEN 748 Research Project/GEN 749 Research Project). The research project may consist of a detailed case study and library synthesis, a clinical application, or an original clinical or laboratory research project. Students must select a project during the second semester of the program. All projects must be approved by the program director. Projects will be completed under the guidance of a research project committee, which will consist of a chair and two other members. Adjunct clinical faculty may serve on research project committees. Students will be required to submit a detailed written report of their project and to make an oral presentation about their project to their classmates and the faculty.