How to Become a Genetic Counselor

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree (4 Years)

Aspiring genetic counselors must complete master's degree in a science-intensive field, such as a premed program, chemistry, biology, or biochemistry.

These programs provides students with the scientific and mathematical knowledge necessary for success.

The preparation timeline below provides an example premed curriculum:

Grade Level	Example Courses
Freshman	General Biology I General Biology II General Chemistry I & Lab General Chemistry II & Lab Pre-Calculus Calculus I Humanities Requirements Electives
Sophomore	Physics I & Lab Physics II & Lab Organic Chemistry I & Lab Organic Chemistry II & Lab Microbial Diversity Humanities Requirements Electives
Junior	Biochemistry I & Lab Biochemistry II & Lab Genetics Psychology Molecular Biology Public Speaking Humanities Requirements Electives
Senior	Developmental Biology Chemistry & Cancer Medicinal Chemistry Pathenogenic Bacteriology & Immunology Capstone Remaining Requirements & Electives

2. Take the Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE)

In order to be accepted into a graduate program, students must pass the Graduate Requisite Examination (GRE) with a sufficient score to be accepted into the school they're interested in.

The GRE is a 6-section, 4-hour comprehensive exam that is broken down as following:

Section	Section Breakdown
1 Analytical Writing Section	2 writing assignments 60 minutes Tests student's abilities to assess arguments and communicate ideas.
2 Quantitative Reasoning Sections	20 multiple-choice questions 35 minutes per section Tests student's abilities to solve mathematical problems and interpret data.
2 Verbal Reasoning Sections	20 questions per section 30 minutes per section Tests the ability to understand and analyze written material
1 Unscored Section	A duplicate of one of the above sections

3. Earn a Master's Degree (2 Years)

Completing a master's degree in genetic counseling at a properly accredited university is essential. Topics of study include molecular genetics, cytogenetics, ethics, counseling, and both clinical and population genetics.

Candidates should ensure that all courses and programs have Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) accreditation.

Search for Accredited Genetic Counseling Programs

The preparation timeline below provides an example graduate genetic counseling curriculum:

Year	Courses
1st	Professional Issues in Genetic Counseling I Professional Issues in Genetic Counseling II Embryology, Teratology, and Prenatal Genetics Clinical Applications in Human Genetics Counseling Techniques and Helping Relationships Genetic Counseling Fieldwork Genetic Diagnosis and Laboratory Methods Clinical Genetics Social, Cultural, and Ethical Issues in Genetics Genetic Counseling Seminar
2nd	Cancer Genetic Counseling Genetic Counseling Fieldwork Advanced Genetic Counseling Metabolic Genetics Advanced Risk Assessment • Advanced Topics in Medical Genetics Genetic Counseling Seminar

4. Earn the Certification (Optional)

Once the counselor earns a degree, the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) offers an exam which confirms the student as a certified genetic counselor.

Becoming certified is not a requirement to enter the field but does typically lead to more opportunities and an edge in the hiring process. However, a certification speaks to the individual's authority and trustworthiness on the subject, so earning one is highly advisable. 5

5. Earn the Required License

Many states require counselors to become licensed before beginning to practice. Genetic counselors should check their state and local registration.