Overview
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 a regionally accredited post-secondary academic institution (or equivalent foreign degree as evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators or World Education Services)
- Acceptable grade-point average
- Successful completion of specific coursework
- Evaluation of international transcripts (if applicable)
- Acceptable English fluency and literacy test score (if applicable)
Admission Factors
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
How to make your application stand out in a positive way
- 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 / 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:
- Direct client / 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 / Scholarship: reviewing the literature, project design, project management, data collection, data analysis, presenting results and/or publishing.
Previous Degree Requirements
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 a regionally accredited post-secondary academic institution (or equivalent foreign degree as evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators or World Education Services).
Preferred degrees are in biology, genetics, chemistry, psychology, nursing or related fields.
The program has no required undergraduate major. 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.
Grade-Point Average Requirement
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program, applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.85 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate course work.
However, if they do not meet this requirement, they can request that their GPA for either the last two years of their major, last 60 credits, or graduate degree (in a related field) be considered instead of their cumulative GPA. If an applicant wishes to make this request, please send an email to CHPAdmissions@uams.edu.
Required Coursework
All listed courses must have been completed at a regionally 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.
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
No more than two required prerequisite courses can be from the College Level Examination Program, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit and must be reflected on the official transcript from the institution that awarded the credit. Although accepted, CLEP, AP and IB credits will not be considered in GPA calculations.
Recommended Coursework
Candidates may strengthen their application to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program by completing additional courses such as the following:
- Advanced course work 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
Evaluation of International Transcripts
If an applicant is basing their eligibility on credits from an international university, the official transcript or copy must first be evaluated by the Education Credential Evaluators, Inc., P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI, 53203‐3470 or World Education Services, P.O. Box 5087, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY, 10274‐5087. An official copy of the evaluation from either the Education Credential Service or World Education Services must be forwarded directly to the UAMS College of Health Professions Admissions Office. A fee list and application forms for this service may be obtained from the agencies.
English Fluency and Literacy Requirement
All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English, are required to demonstrate fluency (speaking) and literacy (reading and writing). The Test of English as a Foreign Language and the International English Language Testing System are the two accepted tests for this purpose.
Refer to the English Fluency and Literacy Requirement policy for more details.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
If the Test of English as a Foreign Language is used by the applicant to document fluency and literacy, the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program requires a total score of at least 570 on the TOEFL or the equivalent score of 230 on the computer version, with no less than 55 on the paper version or 20 on the computer version in each of the three subtest scores (listening, structure/writing, and reading) that comprise the total score must be earned for the applicant to be eligible for consideration for admission.
An official report of these scores must be received by the UAMS Graduate School prior to the application due date. To obtain the Bulletin of Information to register to take the TOEFL, write directly to: The Education Testing Service, P.O. Box 6155, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6155.