Genetic Counseling, Master of Science (M.S.)
Gannaway, Rachel
Graduate Program Director and Recruitment Contact
rgannaway@vcu.edu
(804) 628-3507
Admission requirements summary
Genetic Counseling, Master of Science (M.S.)
| |||
| Degree: M.S. |
Semester(s) of entry: Fall |
Deadline dates: Applications received prior to Feb 2 given priority consideration |
Test requirements: GRE |
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program is accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. The master’s degree requires four semesters of study for students entering with a bachelor’s degree, and it must be completed within five years. The student working toward the Master of Science has an integrated and progressively complex classroom and supervised clinical experience. The program requires an original research project under the supervision of a faculty adviser.
The straddling of the student and professional roles is a lifelong process in the changing field of human genetics and genetic counseling. Graduates of this program will be contributing members of the clinical genetics team of counselors, physicians and basic scientists.
Admission requirements
Applicants should have successfully completed undergraduate training and hold a baccalaureate degree. Training in chemistry through completion of course work in biochemistry is required. Admissions to the program are generally drawn from applicants with an undergraduate grade-point average minimum of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent), a performance on the Graduate Record Examination above a combined score of 1000 (V+Q) and a performance above a score of 3.5 on the analytical section. Applicants holding an undergraduate degree from foreign institutions must display an acceptable level of English proficiency by achieving a score of 250 on the computer-based TOEFL examination or 600 on the written version.
Curriculum
Sample typical course plan for the full-time student
|
Credits |
| Fall 1 | |
| CLED 601 Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| HGEN 501/BIOL 530 Human Genetics | 3 |
| HGEN 525 Practice of Genetic Counseling | 3 |
| HGEN 690 Genetics Research Seminar | 1 |
| HGEN 691 Special Topics in Genetics (classic papers) | 1 |
| IDDS 691 Special Topics in Developmental Disabilities (leadership) | 2 |
| OVPR 601 Scientific Integrity | 1 |
| Total | 14 |
| Spring 1 | |
| HGEN 502 Advanced Human Genetics | 3 |
| HGEN 526 Practice of Genetic Counseling | 3 |
| HGEN 600 Clinical Genetics (rotation) | 3 |
| HGEN 690 Genetics Research Seminar | 1 |
| SLWK 609 Foundations of Research in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Summer | |
| HGEN 605 Experimental Methods in Human Genetics | 3 |
| HGEN 697 Directed Research in Genetics (rotation) | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
| Fall 2 | |
| HGEN 527 Medical Genetics | 3 |
| HGEN 600 Clinical Genetics (rotation) | 3 |
| HGEN 690 Genetics Research Seminar | 1 |
| HGEN 697 Directed Research in Genetics | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
| Spring 2 | |
| ANAT 691 Special Topics in Anatomy (embryology) | 2 |
| HGEN 528 Medical Genetics | 3 |
| HGEN 600 Clinical Genetics (rotation) | 3 |
| HGEN 622 Cancer Genetic Counseling | 3 |
| HGEN 690 Genetics Research Seminar | 1 |
| HGEN 697 Directed Research in Genetics | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
For additional information on the program and required prerequisites, please visit www.gen.vcu.edu.