Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program

The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program has the following requirements for consideration for admission to the program:

• Meets all admission requirements general to the UAMS College of Health Professions
• A bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution (or equivalent foreign degree as evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators or World Education Services)
• Acceptable grade-point average for all undergraduate and graduate coursework
• Successful completion of specific coursework
• A personal statement
• A personal resume or curriculum vitae
• Selection of qualified personal references

Criteria

Admission to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program is competitive and based on the following criteria:

• Academic achievement
• Academic aptitude
• Leadership and professionalism
• Written and oral communication
• Knowledge of the profession
• Interpersonal skills

Strategies for a Strong Application

To make their application to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program stand out in a positive way, applicants should consider the following strategies to showcase their qualifications and commitment to the field:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role and scope of practice of the genetic counselor.
• Demonstrate an aptitude for genetics and molecular biology.
• Obtain training and experience (paid or volunteer) in direct client counseling. If you have questions about a setting, population or your role, contact the program. These are a few examples:
  • Crisis or suicide hotline
  • Domestic violence center
  • Advocate for victims of sexual violence
  • Crisis pregnancy center
  • College resident assistant
  • etc.
• Obtain training and/or experience (paid or volunteer) in one or more of the following:
  • Direct client and patient care in hospital, clinic, outreach, community, treatment, rehabilitation or chronic care facilities
  • Educating others: children to adult students, special needs populations, community groups; patient education
  • Advocacy: patient advocate in a hospital or community program, non-profit agencies or state programs serving individuals and/or families with genetic disorders, disabilities or chronic medical conditions
  • Research and Scholarship: reviewing the literature, project design, project management, data collection, data analysis, presenting results and/or publishing

Applicants to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program must have earned or be in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution (or equivalent foreign degree as evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators or World Education Services).

The degree must be completed before the start of the program.

The program does not have a required or preferred undergraduate major. However, applicants frequently have degrees in biology, genetics, chemistry, psychology, nursing or related fields. UAMS recognizes that the study and practice of genetic counseling are enriched by the presence of students from a variety of academic backgrounds. However, a demonstrated amount of academic rigor is required to ensure that applicants can succeed with the scholastic demands of the genetic counseling curriculum.

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.85 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.

However, if they do not meet this requirement, applicants may request that their GPA for the last two years of their major, the last 60 credits, or a graduate degree in a related field be considered instead. To make this request, please email the UAMS College of Health Professions Admissions Office at CHPAdmissions@uams.edu.

All listed courses must have been completed at an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution or be recognized on the granting institution’s official transcript. Courses must also fulfill all college requirements regarding acceptance of transfer credit.

A minimum of two quarters or one semester (or equivalent) in each of the following:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Psychology
• Genetics (should include coverage of Mendelian and molecular genetics)
• Cell or molecular biology
• Biochemistry
• Statistics
• Laboratory course (biology, genetics, chemistry or biochemistry)

A final grade of C or better is required in each of the prerequisite courses.

Actual course titles may vary among institutions.

Applicants with more than one missing required prerequisite may not be considered for admission.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the genetics prerequisite by the end of the fall 2024 term.

Admission to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program for applicants who have not completed all prerequisite courses will be conditional pending the completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better before matriculation.

If in doubt about the suitability of the prerequisite courses, please contact the College of Health Professions Admissions Office.

Credit By Examination

The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program will accept Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College Level Examination Program credits awarded by other institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institutions to fulfill the required coursework. To be considered for credit transfer, the official transcript from the awarding institution must reflect the AP, IB or CLEP credits.

No more than two required prerequisite courses can be fulfilled by the AP, IB or CLEP credits.

Although accepted, AP, IB and CLEP credits will not be considered in GPA calculations.

Applicants to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program may strengthen their application to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program by completing additional courses such as the following:

• Advanced coursework in genetics and/or biology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Research Methods
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology or Vertebrate Physiology
• Human Genetics
• Child Development
• Medical Terminology; Greek and Latin usage in the English language
• Technical Writing

Applicants to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program will be required to submit a personal statement, limited to 850 words, addressing the following points:

• The applicant’s readiness for graduate school
• An explanation of why the applicant is suited for a career in genetic counseling
• The applicant’s short-term and long-term professional career goals
• An explanation of why the applicant wants to attend UAMS

Personal statements exceeding the word limit will not be considered.

Applicants to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program will be required to submit a current personal resume or curriculum vitae in PDF format.

In addition to the standard elements, your resume should include the following:

• Match Code Number: The applicant’s Match Code Number from the National Matching Services Match System
• Courses and Grades: List the courses and grades for the required and recommended prerequisite courses. Do not include courses that are in progress, scheduled but not started, or courses you plan to enroll in.
• Relevant Experiences: Include any of the following applicable experiences (note that we do not expect applicants to have all of these). For examples, see the list of strategies for a strong application.
  • Exposure to the genetic counseling profession and scope of practice
  • Direct peer or crisis counseling
  • Health care and patient care
  • Training or educating others
  • Advocacy
  • Leadership
  • Research

Applicants to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program will be required to provide details of three people who are capable and qualified to judge how well the applicant would perform as a student in the program.

The applicant should be prepared with the name and email address of each person.