Overview

We offer a 21 month (5 semester) program of graduate study leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) for the training of master's level genetic counselors.

The Mission of the University of Colorado Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling is to train competent, compassionate and innovative graduates who will effectively integrate professional practice and human genomics to deliver quality, client-centered genetic counseling services, promote informed health policy, and engage in scholarship, advocacy and leadership activities throughout their careers.

The program’s curriculum and the instructional objectives of each component of the training reflect and support students’ development of the Practice-based Competencies (PBCs) identified by ACGC as necessary for current and evolving genetic counseling practice. Through their training, students will learn to effectively assist patients, health care providers and the public to understand and appropriately utilize genetic information and testing to promote individualized and informed health care choices and wellbeing.

The comprehensive curriculum combines in-depth didactic coursework in the scientific, clinical, psychosocial and professional practice aspects of genetic counseling with extensive, hands-on clinical experience in pediatric, prenatal, adult, oncology and specialty genetics clinics.

Clinical training is provided through:

• Children's Hospital Colorado
• University of Colorado Hospital in the Anschutz Centers for Advanced Medicine and University of Colorado Cancer Center
• Telehealth Genetics Clinics serving patients throughout Colorado
• And other area genetic counseling centers

All students participate in clinical case conferences, genetics seminars, journal club, and clinical research activities.

The program’s graduates are in very high demand and typically receive employment offers prior to graduation. They work throughout the U.S. and Canada, and in all areas of genetic counseling practice. Their performance on the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) board certification examination is excellent, with a first-time passing rate of 94.4% for the past 3 years (2021-2023) and 97.9% for the past 8 years (2016-2023). The program’s attrition rate during the same period is zero.

The Genetic Counseling Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, Inc., 7918 Jones Branch Drive, Ste. 300, McLean, VA 22102. Telephone: (703) 506 - 7667.​​

Genetic Counseling Admissions Match 

The MS Genetic Counseling Program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). The GC Admissions Match has been established to enhance the process of placing applicants into positions in masters-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). The Match uses a process that takes into account both applicants’ and programs’ preferences. All applicants must first register for the Match with NMS before applying for admission to the genetic counseling program and include their unique NMS registration number in the application. At the conclusion of all program interviews, both applicants and programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS according to deadlines posted on the NMS website. The binding results of the Match will be released to both applicants and programs simultaneously in late April. Please visit the NMS website to register for the match, review detailed information about the matching process, and to view a demonstration of how the matching algorithm works. A match fee waiver program for qualifying prospective students is administered by the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD); qualifying individuals should apply for a fee waiver before registering for an NMS number and must do so by the deadline set by AGCPD for the next admissions cycle.

Admissions Requirements

1) Fulfillment of the academic requirements for regular admission to the Graduate School:

• A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing in the biological sciences, psychology, social work, nursing or a related field.
• MINIMUM undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

2) Completion of the online application form and submission of supporting materials. Access the online application website at: https://graduateschool.cuanschutz.edu/admissions/apply

3) FOUR letters of recommendation are required. Recommendations should be requested from individuals who know the applicant in an academic or professional context and can directly attest to the applicant's academic performance, professional abilities, and potential for success as a graduate student and genetic counselor. Preferably, at least two of the recommendations should be from academic sources (course professors, major/academic advisor, research mentor, thesis advisor), while others should be from supervisors in volunteer/advocacy or professional contexts. Recommendations from family members and personal/family friends are strongly discouraged.

Please remind recommenders that providing specific narrative discussion about the candidate’s performance and qualifications is extremely helpful, in addition to the ratings requested on the recommendation form.

Please allow your recommenders adequate time to write and submit your recommendations. Recommendations submitted after our January 1 deadline will not be accepted. All recommendations are subject to verification of authenticity.

• The application site provides instructions for sending requests to your recommenders and for sending follow-up reminders to them, if needed, prior to the application deadline. This online system enables the recommender to complete a secure, online recommendation and submit it directly to the online system. Please plan ahead! If you wait until too close to the deadline to request your recommendations, your recommenders may not have adequate time to submit their materials prior to the deadline and your application cannot be reviewed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that these materials have been submitted prior to the deadline.
• An official set of recommendation letters submitted directly from a school career center is acceptable.
• Recommendations that have been in the possession of the applicant cannot be accepted.

4) ONE official copy of each transcript must be sent directly from all colleges and universities attended (degree and non-degree), regardless of the number of courses taken. Electronic submission of official transcripts by the registrar’s office of each institution attended is preferred and should be emailed to Graduate.School@cuanschutz.edu. If the applicant has completed a study abroad program and the courses and final grades earned for them are reported on the main undergraduate transcript, then original transcripts from the host institution overseas do not need to be submitted. Transcripts marked “issued to student” will only be accepted if they are in their original sealed (unopened) envelopes as issued by the registrar. All transcripts are subject to verification of authenticity.

International students must meet ALL of the requirements above and those required by International Admissions. 

Degree Requirements

Take 47 Credits from the following:

Learning Objectives

The Genetic Counseling M.S. Program trains graduate students to become competent and effective health professionals. The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) accredits genetic counseling graduate programs in North America. ACGC defines the following Practice-Based Competencies (PBCs) that an entry level genetic counselor must demonstrate:

The PBCs are categorized into the following four domains: (1) Genetics Expertise and Analysis; (2) Interpersonal, Psychosocial and Counseling Skills; (3) Education; and (4) Professional Development and Practice. Some competencies may pertain to more than one domain. These domains represent practice areas that define activities of a genetic counselor. The examples below each competency illustrate more specific outcomes that would exemplify achievement of the competency. Practice-Based Competencies for Genetic Counselors (ACGC, 2013)

Domain I: Genetics Expertise and Analysis

1. Demonstrate and utilize a depth and breadth of understanding and knowledge of genetics and genomics core concepts and principles.
2. Integrate knowledge of psychosocial aspects of conditions with a genetic component to promote client well-being.
3. Construct relevant, targeted and comprehensive personal and family histories and pedigrees.
4. Identify, assess, facilitate, and integrate genetic testing options in genetic counseling practice.
5. Assess individuals’ and their relatives’ probability of conditions with a genetic component or carrier status based on their pedigree, test result(s), and other pertinent information.
6. Demonstrate the skills necessary to successfully manage a genetic counseling case.
7. Critically assess genetic/genomic, medical and social science literature and information.

Domain II: Interpersonal, Psychosocial and Counseling Skills

1. Establish a mutually agreed upon genetic counseling agenda with the client.
2. Employ active listening and interviewing skills to identify, assess, and empathically respond to stated and emerging concerns.
3. Use a range of genetic counseling skills and models to facilitate informed decision-making and adaptation to genetic risks or conditions.
4. Promote client-centered, informed, non-coercive and value-based decisionmaking.
5. Understand how to adapt genetic counseling skills for varied service delivery models.
6. Apply genetic counseling skills in a culturally responsive and respectful manner to all clients.

Domain III: Education

1. Effectively educate clients about a wide range of genetics and genomics information based on their needs, their characteristics and the circumstances of the encounter
2. Write concise and understandable clinical and scientific information for audiences of varying educational backgrounds.
3. Effectively give a presentation on genetics, genomics and genetic counseling issues.

Domain IV: Professional Development & Practice

1. Act in accordance with the ethical, legal and philosophical principles and values of the genetic counseling profession and the policies of one’s institution or organization.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the research process.
3. Advocate for individuals, families, communities and the genetic counseling profession.
4. Demonstrate a self-reflective, evidenced-based and current approach to genetic counseling practice.
5. Understand the methods, roles and responsibilities of the process of clinical supervision of trainees.
6. Establish and maintain professional interdisciplinary relationships in both team and one-on-one settings and recognize one’s role in the larger healthcare system.

Courses

Policies

Admissions Match Process: The M.S. Genetic Counseling Program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS). All student positions will be filled via the Match. All applicants must first register for the Match with NMS before applying to the genetic counseling program. At the conclusion of program interviews, all interviewed applicants and all programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS according to deadlines posted on the NMS website. The binding results of the Match will be released to applicants and programs simultaneously. Please refer to the Admissions page for more details.

Graduate School Policies: Please visit the Graduate School to view policies for prospective and current graduate students.  

Contact Us

Carol Walton, MS, CGC
Program Director
Carol.Walton@cuanschutz.edu

Program Administrator, Genetic Counseling

graduate.school@cuanschutz.edu

Genetic Counseling Program website: cuanschutz.edu/graduate-programs/genetic-counseling/home