To become a genetic counselor, you must receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and apply to master's programs in the field. There are 55 accredited Genetic Counseling Master's programs in the United States. Programs vary in their requirements, though most require the GRE and coursework related to genetics, psychology, statistics, and biochemistry. 

Each program has its own set of prerequisites required of applicants. Below is a list of common prerequisites you may see when making your school list:

• Statistics
• Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Advanced Genetics
• Psychology

Many schools require you to have counseling or crisis intervention experience as well as experience shadowing a genetic counselor. That being said, programs understand that genetic counselors may not always be available for shadowing in an applicant’s location. Having telephone conversations or interviewing genetic counselors about their job may be ways to bolster your experience in the field if shadowing is difficult. Please utilize the links below to find a genetic counselor near you.

To gain counseling or crisis intervention experience, applicants typically find experiences from many different settings including: Planned Parenthood, domestic abuse shelters, crisis hotlines, peer counseling, homeless shelters, hospice care, or working with individuals with physical disabilities or intellectual impairment. Many state counties and universities have volunteer crisis hotlines (including UMD and Montgomery County).

• University of Maryland Pre-Genetic Counseling Society
• National Society of Genetic Counselors
• Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling
• Find a Genetic Counselor
• Find a Genetics Clinic