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The Genetic Counseling Graduate Program at the University of Arizona is a graduate program offered through the College of Health Sciences. Graduates of this two-year long program will graduate from the University of Arizona with a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling, preparing them for a career in this rapidly growing field. Our program combines classroom-based coursework with real-world experience working with practicing genetic counselors and physicians in the clinic.
UAGCGP students will benefit from UA's rich biomedical research and clinical training programs in both Tucson and Phoenix. With campuses in both cities, students will have the opportunity to train with clinicians, researchers, and experts in the field of genetics and genomic medicine.
The mission of our program is to provide a well-rounded education in genetic counseling through rigorous and diverse academic, clinical and research experiences, preparing the next generation of genetic counselors in an ever- evolving landscape.
Our program's objectives are to prepare graduate students who will be able to:
More details about the program can be found here: https://gcgp.uahs.arizona.edu/
The University of Arizona is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination. The University prohibits discrimination in all campus activities, including admissions, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. For more information on the UA nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policy, please visit policy.arizona.edu/human-resources/nondiscrimination-and-anti-harassment-policy.
The Genetic Counseling Graduate Program at the University of Arizona is a graduate program offered through the College of Health Sciences. Graduates of this two-year long program will graduate from the University of Arizona with a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling, preparing them for a career in this rapidly growing field. Our program combines classroom-based coursework with real-world experience working with practicing genetic counselors and physicians in the clinic.
College of Health Sciences
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Listed below are items that are required to complete this application for admission to UA Genetic Counseling Graduate Program:
Admission Requirements:
For questions, please contact Kathy Ben at kben@email.arizona.edu or (520) 626-2713 or (520) 626-7406.
For international applicants only: Minimum TOEFL: 79 (internet based test). Please note, however, that the University of Arizona accepts a number of English Proficiency tests. More information can be found at the Graduate College website: https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency
Tuition and fees for each academic year will be announced the previous spring by the Arizona Board of Regents.
Please note that a $3,000 program fee will be added to the cost of tuition each semester. There is no difference in the rate of the program fee for in state and out of state students.
The Genetic Counseling Graduate Program does not provide financial aid, however students may contact the Financial Aid office for assistance (https://financialaid.arizona.edu/). The student is responsible for all expenses related to completion of the degree requirements.
The Graduate College has Graduate Access Fellowships (https://grad.arizona.edu/gaf/), to which interested students can apply.
Applications for the Fall of '24 will open on September 5th, 2023.
The UAZGCGP application period for the class commencing in the Fall of 2023 (class of 2025) closed December 16, 2022.
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
4832
63
The Genetic Counseling Graduate Program requires the completion of 65 units with a grade of "C" or better. Cumulative graduate GPA must be at least 3.0 to complete this program. Students in the program will take a clinical practicum course every semester throughout the program as well as in the summer to gain clinical experience. Students will also complete a research project culminating in a publishable thesis.
Genetic Counseling Graduate Program Curriculum
Fall – Year I
CMM 518 – Fundamental Genetic Mechanisms - 3 units
CMM 585 - Embryology, Teratology, Birth Defects - 3 units
CMM 527 - Pathophysiology Basics - 1 unit
CMM 528 - Pathophysiology of Integumentary, Resp, & Dig. Systems - 1 unit
CMM 529 - Pathophysiology of Urogenital and Endocrine Systems - 1 unit
CMM 519 - Introduction to Genetic Counseling - 2 units
GENE 670 - Genetics Seminar - 2 units
CMM 600 - Introduction to Genetic Counseling Research - 1 unit
CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum - 2 units
TOTAL UNITS, Semester 1 - 16 units
Spring – Year I
CMM 520 – Clinical Cancer Genetics - 2 units
CMM 620 – Foundations of Medical Genetics - 1 unit
CMM 621 - Genetic Counseling in Reproductive Health - 2 units
BIOS 576a – Biostatistics - 3 units
CMM 595 - Genetic Counseling Colloquium - 1 unit
CMM 624 - Advanced GC Skills - 2 units
CMM 900 – GC Scholarly Project/Thesis - 2 units
CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum - 2 units
TOTAL UNITS, Semester 2 - 15 units
Summer – Year I
CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum (6-8 weeks) - 4 units
Fall – Year 2
CMM 622 - Survey of Human Genetic Disorders - 3 units
CMM 521 - Molecular Diagnostics and Lab Testing - 1 unit
CMM 623 - Contemporary Professional Issues in GC - 2 units
GENE 670 - Genetics Seminar - 2 units
CMM 909/910 – GC Scholarly Project/Thesis - 2 units
CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum - 4 units
TOTAL UNITS, Semester 3 - 14 units
Spring – Year 2
CMM 592 – Survey of Human Genetic Disorders II (Directed Research) - 3 units
MCB 504 - Bioethics - 4 units
CMM 595 - Genetic Counseling Colloquium - 1 unit
CMM 909/910 – GC Scholarly Project/Thesis - 2 units
CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum - 4 units
TOTAL UNITS, Semester 4 - 14 units
MS Degree TOTAL UNITS: 63
In addition, completion of the UAGCGP requires evidence that a student has achieved competence in:
This may be accomplished with approval by the DGS (Director of Graduate Studies) by:
The UAGCGP Program Director must approve the method that each student will use to exhibit competence of the above components and when they will integrate this into their activities prior to the start of the fall semester of their second year in the program. Students may complete these requirements at any time during the course of the program. Documentation of the completion of one of these activities must be submitted to the UAGCGP prior to graduation.
Course substitutions are permitted with the approval of the UAGCGP Program Director
N/A
Students in the program will take a clinical practicum course every semester throughout the program as well as in the summer to gain clinical experience. All students in the UAGCGP are required to complete a scholarly project. Each student can choose to complete either a thesis or a non-thesis, capstone option. The major differences between the thesis and capstone options are the range of topics that students can choose to focus on and the composition of the committee. Topics for capstone projects are more flexible and allow for a broader scope of projects compared to the thesis option.
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 3.45% |
| Avg. Time-to-degree (years) | 1.72 |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | 0% |
| Enrollment Percent Female | 100% |
| Enrollment Percent International | 10% |
| Enrollment Percent URM | 30% |