MS Genetic Counseling at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Science program in genetic counseling prepares you for a successful career as a genetic counselor. You apply your knowledge and distinct skill set to advance the understanding of genetics and genomic-related conditions in the communities where you work and live. This two-year, full-time program is taught by genetic counselors and medical geneticists.

What you will study

71 credit hours and a thesis, or 71 credit hours including the required applied project course (GCO 593) Required Core (46 credit hours) BMD 562 Bioethical Issues in Applied Biomedicine (3) GCO 510 Fieldwork Preparatory (1) GCO 530 Genetic Counseling Fundamentals (3) GCO 540 Foundations of Medical Genetics (3) GCO 560 Practice of Genetic Counseling (3) GCO 570 Clinical Genetics I (3) GCO 571 Clinical Genetics II (3) GCO 610 Laboratory Fundamentals and Population Screening (3) GCO 620 Genetic Counseling Techniques (3) GCO 625 Cultural, Ethical and Legal Aspects of Genetics (3) GCO 630 Advanced Genetic Counseling Techniques (3) GCO 650 Cancer, Cardiac Genomics and Precision Medicine (3) GCO 659 Embryology and Genetics (3) GCO 660 Professional Issues for Genetic Counselors (3) HCD 501 Population Health Data Management and Analysis (3) HCD 520 Population Health (3) Fieldwork (15 credit hours) GCO 583 or GCO 683 Fieldwork (15) Other Requirements (4 credit hours) GCO 691 Topic: Journal Club I (1) GCO 691 Topic: Journal Club II (1) GCO 691 Topic: Journal Club III (1) GCO 691 Topic: Journal Club IV (1) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) GCO 593 Applied Project (6) or GCO 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information GCO 691 Journal Club topics are taken consecutively for one credit hour in each term of the program.

Career pathways

Graduates of the program are prepared for a position as a genetic counselor in a clinical care, research or laboratory setting or as an industry-based genetic counselor. Genetic counselors have a distinct skill set that enables them to work in a variety of medical, scientific or research-based settings, as well as in private practice and academia.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts letter of intent resume or curriculum vitae three references (academic or professional) proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applicants must register with National Matching Services Inc. before applying to ASU to be considered for this program ( https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions ).

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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