Genetic Counselors

High School

If you are interested in this career, you should begin by taking college preparatory courses in high school. Such classes as biology, physiology, chemistry, and statistics will help you determine your aptitude in these areas as well as prepare you for college. Since counseling skills are as important to the performance of this job as understanding genetics, you will also benefit from classes in sociology and psychology. English classes will help you develop your written communication skills and speech will help you gain confidence in speaking. Since all counselors use computers, it'a a good idea to take computer science courses.

Postsecondary Training

Getting your bachelor's degree is the next step to becoming a genetic counselor. Although no specific major is required, students entering this field typically have a degree in biology/bioscience, psychology, genetics, nursing, public health, social science, or a related field. Important college courses to take include general biology, developmental biology, genetics, chemistry, and statistics and probability. Other helpful courses include psychology, English, and ethics.

Following college, you must complete a master's degree. At present there are approximately 50 graduate schools offering programs in genetic counseling in the United States. The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling accredits graduate programs in genetic counseling in the U.S. and Canada. Visit https://www.gceducation.org/students-volunteers/#program for a list of programs.

Graduate school studies in genetic counseling typically include classes in client-centered counseling, issues in clinical genetics, medical genetics, biochemistry, human anatomy and physiology, and clinical medicine. All programs require field experience in clinical settings.

Other Education or Training

The National Society of Genetic Counselors offers an Annual Conference, online education courses, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities. Recent offerings included A Psychosocial Approach to Genetic Counseling: Translation from Theory to Skills, NextGen Sequencing A–Z, New Frontiers in Genetic Testing, and Evidence-based Practice: What It Is and Why It Matters. The American Society of Human Genetics also provides CE classes and seminars. Contact these organizations for more information.