Requirements for Admission

Requirements 

  • Complete a baccalaureate degree in any field at an accredited institution.
  • Earn a recommended GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in academic coursework.
  • A complete application (available September 1) including:
    • A statement of your professional career goals, why you are interested in genetic counseling, and why you desire to obtain your graduate degree at UT Southwestern (maximum 500 words using 12-point Arial or Times)
    • Supplemental question responses (maximum 250 words using 12-point Arial or Times)
    • A resume/CV
    • Transcripts from all colleges attended
    • Three letters of recommendation from instructors, employers, undergraduate advisers, volunteer supervisors, or academic/research mentors.
    • TOEFL or IELTS scores if you are an international student
  • A strong understanding of the genetic counseling field via shadowing opportunities, internships, informational interviews, webinar attendance, or other experiences.
  • Skills and experiences that can be transferable to working as a genetic counselor. Experiences can include advocacy work, crisis counseling, volunteering, or relevant work. 

The Match Process

UT Southwestern’s Genetic Counseling Program is part of the National Matching Service (NMS) Genetic Counseling Admissions Match. All applicants must first register with the NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling programs. Detailed information about the match and registration information can be found on the NMS website.

Prerequisite Courses

Below is a list of prerequisite courses students must complete with a grade of “C” or higher before starting the program. Prerequisite coursework is intended to ensure students have the foundational knowledge to be successful in a genetic counseling training program. There is no time limit on prerequisite coursework; however, we recommend that a genetics course (either undergraduate or graduate) be completed within the last 10 years. Recent coursework, successful completion of graduate level science courses, and other mechanisms can also show evidence of preparation for a master's degree in genetic counseling.

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses will be considered if the course title and credit hours are listed on a college/university transcript and are equivalent to the prerequisite requirements. Applicants may be asked to provide a course description for the Admissions Committee to determine if the course will be accepted.

Minimum Required Courses*

  • Biochemistry I
  • General Biology
  • General Chemistry
  • General or Human Genetics
  • Psychology
  • Statistics

Classes may be in progress at the time of application submission.

Special Notes about Prerequisites

Below are some important points to note about prerequisite courses:

  • Community colleges: It is acceptable to take prerequisite courses at a community college as long as the description of each course closely matches the prerequisite description.
  • Applying before prerequisites are completed: You may apply and interview for admission even if you haven’t completed all the prerequisite courses. If prerequisite coursework is not complete at the time of application submission, proof of courses in progress or a plan of enrollment should be submitted with the application, and a transcript indicating the course was successfully completed with a grade "C" or higher should be submitted to us via email at the completion of the course. Courses must be completed by the spring term of the intended year of matriculation into the UT Southwestern Genetic Counseling Program. We recommend completing your prerequisite courses before you apply.
  • Transfers: We don’t accept transfers from other masters in genetic counseling programs.

Recommended Courses

Additional Recommended Courses

  • Anatomy
  • Biochemistry II
  • Calculus
  • Embryology/Developmental Biology
  • Laboratory Courses
  • Molecular/Cellular Biology
  • Research Experiences

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

Understanding of the Profession

Successful applicants should demonstrate a strong understanding of the genetic counseling profession. This knowledge can be gained through many different experiences, including shadowing/interning with genetic counselors, speaking with genetic counselors through informational interviews, listening to webinars, podcasts, reading blogs, or social media interactions.

Relatable Skills

Successful applicants should have skills or experiences that relate to genetic counseling. This can include counseling experience (e.g., crisis counseling, peer counseling), advocacy work, volunteer experiences (e.g., Special Olympics, participating at camps for children with disabilities), internships, or paid work experiences.