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Program Details

Graduate Program: Genetic Counseling (MS)

General Information

Request Information
Program/Degree
Genetic Counseling (MS)  
Program Description

The Genetic Counseling Graduate Program at the University of Arizona is a new and exciting graduate program offered through the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine.  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. 

Our students will benefit from UA's rich biomedical research and clinical training programs in both Tucson and Phoenix.  With campuses and medical schools in both cities, students will have the opportunity to train with clinicians, researchers, and experts in the field of genetics and genomic medicine. 

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. 

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

Cellular & Molecular Medicine

The Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine is one of the five basic science departments of the University of Arizona College of Medicine located on the Northeast side of the University of Arizona Campus in Tucson, AZ.  The mission of the Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine (CMM) is to provide pre- and post-doctoral, medical and graduate education in an interdisciplinary environment through research activities to advance the knowledge of biological structure as related to function and disease from the molecular level to the whole organism.

CMM faculty run active research programs in modern molecular and cellular biology, which include the areas of developmental biology, neuroscience, parasitology, immunology, cancer biology, and cellular structure and function. Our graduate program attracts outstanding students from all parts of the US and the world. Graduate students from the interdisciplinary programs of cancer biology, genetics, molecular & cellular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, and physiological sciences also receive training in CMM faculty laboratories.

CMM mailing address:

PO Box 245044, 1501 N Campbell Ave. 

Life Sciences North, Room 450, Tucson, AZ  85724-5044

 
College

College of Medicine, Tucson

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Kathy R Ben
520-626-2713
Graduate Program Coordinator
Kathy R Ben
520-626-2713
Director of Graduate Studies
Dee Quinn
520-626-7445
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Tammy Tran
520-621-0119
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

Listed below are items that are required to complete this application for admission to UA Genetic Counseling Graduate Program:

  • Match number from National Matching Services (NMS) https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/
  • Statement of Purpose (500 words maximum)
  • CV/resume
  • Unofficial transcripts for each college/institution attended
  • GRE's: The UAGCGP has decided to discontinue the GRE requirement for applicants applying to our program - as with the fall of 2020, going forward, from Fall of 2021 on, we will not require or record GRE scores.  
  • TOEFL or other English Proficiency Exam score (for international students only)
  • Email addresses of 3 contacts to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf (3 letters of recommendation are required, 4 is the maximum allowed.) Competitive students will have at least one letter from a professor and preferably one from a practicing genetics provider or advocacy supervisor.

Admission Requirements:

  • 3.0 GPA in undergraduate or graduate coursework
  • Completion of BS or BA
  • Completion of prerequisite coursework: In addition to the requirements from the UA Graduate College, the UAGCGP requires applicants to have the following prerequisites to ensure that they are adequately prepared for the program. All prerequisites need to be completed by the end of fall semester of the year applications are submitted. Please forward grades from these courses as soon as they are available. Required Classes:
  • 2 Semesters of Biology
  • 1 Semester of Chemistry
  • 1 Semester of Biochemistry
  • 1 Semester of Genetics
  • 1 Semester of Statistics
  • A total of 2 Semesters from ANY of the following areas: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or Public Health
  • Please note: AP classes are not acceptable for these prerequisites. 
  • Competitive applicants will show a demonstrated interest in the field of genetic counseling. This can include shadowing genetic counselors, participating in genetic counseling internship programs, or meeting and speaking with local genetic counselors. Individuals having experience working in other counseling settings, such as a crisis or suicide hotline, pregnancy counseling center, or other similar settings will also be considered as strong applicants for the program.
  • For questions, please contact Kathy Ben at kben@email.arizona.edu or (520) 626-2713 or (520) 626-7406.

 
Standardized Tests

 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

 
Funding Opportunities

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/graduate-students). 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.

 
Admissions Deadlines

The application period for the class commencing in the Fall of 2022 (class of 2024) will be open from Tuesday, September 7 to Friday, December 17, 2021. The application deadline is close of business on December 17, 2021.

 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

63 

Core Coursework Requirements

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                                                                                                                      Units

CMM 518 – Fundamental Genetic Mechanisms                                                                 3

CMM 585 - Embryology, Teratology, Birth Defects                                                              3

CMM 527 -  Pathophysiology Basics                                                                                   1

CMM  528 -  Pathophysiology of Integumentary, Resp, & Dig. Systems                            1

CMM 529 - Pathophysiology of Urogenital and Endocrine Systems                                  1

CMM 519 - Introduction to Genetic Counseling                                                                  2

GENE 670 - Genetics Seminar                                                                                           2

CMM 600 - Introduction to Genetic Counseling Research                                                 1

CMM 594 -  Clinical Practicum                                                                                           2

TOTAL UNITS, Semester 1                                                                                            16

Spring – Year I

CMM 520 –  Clinical Cancer Genetics                                                                             2

CMM 620 – Foundations of Medical Genetics                                                                1

CMM 621 -  Genetic Counseling in Reproductive Health                                                2

BIOS 576a – Biostatistics                                                                                                3

CMM 595 -  Genetic Counseling Colloquium                                                                  1

CMM 624 - Advanced GC Skills                                                                                      2

CMM 900 – GC Scholarly Project/Thesis                                                                 2

CMM 594 -  Clinical Practicum                                                                                        2

TOTAL UNITS, Semester 2                                                                                          15

Summer – Year I

CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum (6-8 weeks)                                                                    4

Fall – Year 2

CMM 622 - Survey of Human Genetic Disorders                                                            3

CMM 521 - Molecular Diagnostics and Lab Testing                                                        1

CMM 623 - Contemporary Professional Issues in GC                                                    2

GENE 670 -  Genetics Seminar                                                                                      2

CMM 909/910 – GC Scholarly Project/Thesis                                                                2

CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum                                                                                         4

TOTAL UNITS, Semester 3                                                                                          14

Spring – Year 2

CMM 695d - Advanced Analysis of Human Genetic Disease                                       3

MCB 504 - Bioethics                                                                                                     4

CMM 595 - Genetic Counseling Colloquium                                                                 1

CMM 909/910 – GC Scholarly Project/Thesis                                                               2

CMM 594 - Clinical Practicum                                                                                      4

TOTAL UNITS, Semester 4:                                                                                       14

MS Degree TOTAL UNITS:                                                                                         63

In addition, completion of the UAGCGP requires evidence that a student has achieved competence in:

  • Integration of knowledge of psychosocial aspects of conditions with a genetic component to promote client well-being.
  • Use of a range of genetic counseling skills and models to facilitate informed decision- making and adaptation to genetic risks or conditions.

This may be accomplished with approval by the DGS (Director of Graduate Studies) by:

  • Audit a course addressing psychosocial issues of death and loss such as PSY 456 Psychology of Death and Loss or a related course, or
  • Submission of an annotated bibliography or literature review on a topic agreed to by faculty advisor or DGS

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

 
Elective Coursework

N/A

 
Additional Requirements

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.

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate 4.46%
Med. Time-to-degree (years) n/a
 
Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male 10%
Enrollment Percent Female 90%
Enrollment Percent International 0%
Enrollment Percent URM 10%

Back to statistics
  • All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2020.
  • Median Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2015-2019) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program. This measure uses the methodology established in the 2011 Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs by the National Research Council.
  • Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/GNCLMS
Last revised 20 Apr 2022
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