The Master or Science in Genetic Counseling is the terminal practice degree for the Genetic Counseling profession. The University of Kansas School of Health Professions offers the only professional degree program leading to a master's degree in genetic counseling in the state of Kansas. The program aims to educate future genetic counselors and guide their development to become insightful, empathic, collaborative, life-long learners who improve the lives of their patients, colleagues and the greater community. Objectives of the program include providing an innovative and diverse curriculum with robust clinical experiences, instilling professionalism and integrity, creating advocates for individuals with genetic conditions and cultivating a passion for clinical research.

The 21 month, full-time program consists of a minimum of 56 credit hours of didactic coursework, ten clinical rotations and a graduate research project. Students must also complete eight supplemental fieldwork activities, 27 supplemental curricular activities and pass a comprehensive exam. Course delivery may include face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats.  

The MS in Genetic Counseling curriculum addresses the practice based competencies established for the profession by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). 

Admission to the Master of Science in genetic counseling program is a competitive application process. Applications are submitted online.  Applications and supporting materials are reviewed, and qualified applicants are invited for an interview. Detailed instructions on how to apply are posted on the master of science in genetic counseling website. Students are admitted for the fall semester only. 

In order to be considered for admission into this program, the following are required:

Completed prerequisite course work

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The degree can be a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts, and it can be in any field (does not have to be in health or health care). 

Grade point average

• Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required. 

• KU's genetic counseling program requires students to have completed the following courses at the undergraduate level, each with a minimum grade of C:

  • Biology (two semesters)
  • Chemistry (one semester)
  • Biochemistry (one semester)
  • Genetics (one semester)
  • Psychology (one semester)
  • Statistics (one semester)

Exposure to the Field

• Prior to admission, applicants are encouraged to gain exposure to genetic counseling to educate themselves about the field. The goal of this exposure is to help the applicant understand the role of a genetic counselor and ensure they can articulate what the profession entails. There are numerous ways to accomplish this, and a strong applicant will demonstrate a wide breadth of experiences. Examples of experiences include the following:

  • Shadowing a genetic counselor.
  • Informational interviews with a genetic counselor.
  • Genetic counseling specific coursework.
  • Exposure to media including blogs, podcasts, and webinars about genetic counseling.
  • Genetic counseling program open houses/student information sessions.
  • Working with a clinical genetics division including as an intern or genetic counseling assistant.
  • Attendance at conferences, workshops and journal clubs.
  • Viewing videos of genetic counseling sessions.
  • Reading literature regarding the role of a genetic counselor.

Advocacy Experience

• One major part of a genetic counselor’s role is to help individuals and families understand and adapt to information about genetic disease. Importantly, this is not just about disseminating scientific information; true genetic counseling involves advocacy. Advocacy means providing support to others through empathy, open communication, counseling, problem solving and identification/provision of appropriate resources. We encourage our applicants to have advocacy experience prior to admission. Examples of these experiences include the following:

  • Working with individuals who have disabilities.
  • Crisis counseling.
  • Grief and loss support organizations.
  • Patient care experience.
  • Reproductive healthcare.
  • Mentoring and peer counseling.
  • Working with individuals who have genetic conditions.
  • Support groups.
  • Social service work.

Vaccine and Clinical Site Requirements

• Matriculated students will need to provide an immunization profile prior to participating in curricular and/or clinical experiences required by the program. The University of Kansas Medical Center requires various immunizations for its students. These immunization requirements help promote health and safety and facilitate clinical placement. 

• Many, if not all, clinical sites who partner with the University of Kansas Medical Center require proof of these vaccines for students engaged in training or other programmatic experiences at clinical sites. Not being vaccinated may preclude students from participating in activities, potentially impeding their ability to complete all program requirements for degree completion. Applicants with questions should speak with a representative from the academic program to which they intend to apply.

Background check/drug screening

• Incoming students must provide KU with a background check report. Once accepted into the program, students should start this process. The one-time fee must be paid directly to the company performing the background investigation.

Computer
Students are required to have a computer that meets the minimum software and hardware requirements. 

International Students

The University of Kansas genetic counseling program hopes to admit and sponsor international students on the F1 visa in the near future, but we are not able to do so for fall 2024 admission.

English Language Proficiency 

English language requirements apply to any student who is not currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university. Earning a degree from an institution outside the U.S. where the language of instruction is English may not exempt students from this requirement, except when a bachelor's degree (or higher) is earned from an institution in one of the following countries: United States, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand or English-speaking provinces in Canada.

To verify English language requirements, official exam results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) must have been obtained within the two years prior to application:

• Internet-based TOEFL minimum requirements: At least 23 or higher on the reading and listening sections; a score of 5.0 or 23 or higher on the writing section; a score of 26 or higher on the speaking section.
• IELTS minimum requirements: Overall band score of 7.5 and no part score lower than 7.0.

Official documentation of test scores must be sent directly from the administering agency to KU Medical Center. ETS school code for KUMC is 6895. Failure to submit official documentation will delay the admission process.

21 month, 56 credit hour program. Courses will be taught in-person, though will have hybrid options to allow for flexibility of guest lecturers and/or students off-site for rotations. Please see attached for course numbers, names and credit hours.

To complete the program and obtain the master's degree, a student must successfully complete a minimum 56 hours of didactic coursework, ten clinical rotations and a graduate research project. Students must also complete eight supplemental fieldwork activities, 27 supplemental curricular activities and pass a comprehensive exam. 

Students must achieve a minimum "B" grade in all courses, with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.

Technical Standards for the MS Genetic Counseling Program

Graduates of the Genetic Counseling Program must have the knowledge and skills for entry into the practice of genetic counseling. As defined by the program’s accrediting body, the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, an entry-level genetic counselor must demonstrate mastery of a broad body of genetics knowledge and develop skills in the following domains: Communication Skills; Critical-Thinking Skills; Interpersonal, Counseling, and Psychosocial Assessment Skills; and Professional Ethics and Values.

The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation. The term “candidate” refers to candidates for admission to the program as well as current students who are candidates for retention, promotion, or graduation. KU School of Health Professions maintains a strong commitment to equal educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities who apply for admission to the program or who are already enrolled.  The technical standards are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum.  Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Academic Accommodations Office at (913) 945-7035 or ada@kumc.edu early in the application process to begin a confidential conversation about what accommodations they may need to meet these standards. This process is informed by the knowledge that students with varied types of disabilities have the ability to become successful genetic counselors.

Essential Observational Requirements

1. Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand.
2. Observe and respond to variations in human responses to disease using visual, auditory, tactile, other sensory cues, or the functional equivalent.
3. Observe, learn from, and analyze medical record content, including discernment and use of clinical and administrative data displayed within the medical record.
4. Observe, learn from, and analyze class demonstrations and experiences.

Essential Movement Requirements

1. Perform actions requiring coordination of both gross and fine muscular movement, equilibrium.
2. Move freely and safely about healthcare settings (hospitals, patient rooms, clinics, laboratory, etc.).
3. Use a keyboard to generate, calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit information.
4. Prepare assignments, both written and on-line.

Essential Communication Requirements

1. Communicate clearly, effectively, and sensitively in English and/or with an interpreter through oral and written methods in order to communicate with other health care providers and patients of all ages.
2. Receive information in oral form, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, to describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and to perceive non- verbal communications.
3. Read, interpret, and comprehend technical and professional materials (e.g., textbooks, journal articles, handbooks, instruction manuals, and patient healthcare records).
4. Be able to share and to elicit information from patients, healthcare providers, peers, and research collaborators verbally and in a recorded format.
5. Assimilate information to prepare papers, produce reports, and complete documentation for patient care and research purposes.
6. Effectively, confidently, sensitively, and confidentially communicate with patients, laboratory staff, and healthcare providers regarding laboratory test selection, interpretation, and follow-up.
7. Deliver public presentations to large and small audiences
8. Take paper and computer examinations.

Essential Intellectual Requirements.

1. Interpret information derived from auditory, visual, written, or other data or their equivalent to determine appropriate patient management plans.
2. Use reason, analysis, calculations, problem solving, critical thinking, synthesis, self- evaluation and other learning skills to acquire knowledge, comprehend and synthesize complex concepts.
3. Independently access and interpret medical histories or files.
4. Identify significant findings from history, physical examination, and laboratory data.
5. Provide a reasoned explanation for likely diagnoses.
6. Recall and retain information in an efficient and timely manner.
7. Incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and the medical literature.
8. Identify and communicate knowledge to others when indicated.
9. Possess sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations.

Essential Behavioral and Social Requirements

1. Fully utilize their intellectual abilities.
2. Exercise of good judgment.
3. Promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.
4. Develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients.
5. Function effectively under stress.
6. Adapt to changing environments.
7. Learn to function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities inherent in the clinical problems of many patients.
8. Employ compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation.
9. Accept criticism and respond by appropriate behavior modification.
10. Use supervision appropriately, and act independently when indicated.
11. Demonstrate personal and professional self-control as well as tact, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect.
12. Manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete academic, professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints.
13. Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect, act ethically, and exercise appropriate judgment.
14. Demonstrate appropriate affective behaviors and mental attitudes as to not jeopardize the emotional, physical, mental and behavioral safety of other individuals with whom there is interaction in academic and clinical residency settings.
15. Possess the mental and emotional rigor to maintain relationships and demonstrate respect to all people, including students, faculty, patients, and other healthcare professionals at residency settings, without showing bias or preference on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, gender expression, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or genetic testing & screening.
16. Adapt to professional and technical change, being flexible and creative.
17. Use appropriate language.
18. Work effectively in inter-professional teams.
19. Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale and justification for one’s performance.
20. Demonstrate attention to detail and flexibility to function in a clinical and/or research setting.
21. Practice honesty, compassion, and responsibility.
22. Be forthright about errors or uncertainty.
23. Provide professional services while experiencing the stresses of heavy workloads (i.e., large number of tasks to complete in a limited amount of time), task- related uncertainty (i.e., ambiguous referral indication), and a distracting environment (i.e., high noise levels, crowding, complex visual stimuli).

Ethical Standard

The candidate must demonstrate professional demeanor and behavior and must perform in an ethical manner in all dealings with peers, faculty, staff, and patients.

Compassion, integrity, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are assessed during the admission and educational processes.