Students
Are You Interested In Becoming A Genetic Counselor?
Genetic counseling is a rapidly growing, in-demand field. In order to become a Certified Genetic Counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), an individual must obtain a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). There are currently over 40 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada with master's degree programs in genetic counseling. Some programs are now offering the option of joint doctorate degrees and masters in genetic counseling.
Be sure to investigate all of your options.
You can email the Membership Committee with any questions: pagcmembership@gmail.com
For more information about admission requirements and genetic counseling graduate programs, visit NSGC's Genetic Counseling Training page. You can also find information on both the ABGC and ACGC websites.
Resources for Students
Below are some helpful resources for planning your educational journey
Intelligent
College Planning Guide for Students with Mental Health Conditions. To help students find the assistance they need, Intelligent created this guide to explain the resources and accommodations most schools provide, and offer tips on how to access these mental health services.
Genetics Opportunities, Learning, Development, and Empowerment Network
(GOLDEN)
The Genetics Opportunities, Learning, Development, and Empowerment Network (GOLDEN) is dedicated to increasing the awareness of genetic counseling among Black students, primarily at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). For prospective genetic counselors, GOLDEN also provides mentorship throughout the graduate school application process.
College Experience Guide for LGBTQ+ Students
Learn about common experiences and challenges for LGBTQ+ college students. Discover how your campus can support LGBTQ+ learners. You can also look at how colleges and universities measure up on the Campus Pride Index
SCHOLARSHIP & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Five genetic counseling programs, including the University of Pennsylvania, are collaborating to increase diversity and inclusion with student scholarships, post-graduate training, and
career advancements for genetic counselors in
underrepresented populations.
The Alliance to Increase Diversity in Genetic Counseling is funded
by a grant from the Warren Alpert Foundation.
Scholarships are offered at each of these five genetic counseling programs:
University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Rutgers University,
Sarah Lawrence College, and University of Maryland.
A total of ten students will be selected each year to receive full tuition support
and a cost-of-living stipend.
Interested applicants for all five programs can visit
https://aid-gc.org for more information, program links, and
application submission due dates.
If you are a student pursuing a master’s degree in genetic counseling and are in a Pennsylvania program, PAGC wants to feature you on the homepage of our website! Please contact the Membership Committee if you are interested: pagcmembership@gmail.com