How to Apply to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program

The application process for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program has the following main steps:

• Register for the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services.
• Complete an online admission application to the UAMS College of Health Professions through Workday.
• Send all requested material to the College of Health Professions Admissions Office unless otherwise instructed.
• Complete an admission interview (if invited).

If the applicant is admitted to the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program, additional requirements must be met before they enroll in the program.

• Receipt of state authorization for out-of-state distance education and/or out-of-state clinical placement (if applicable)
• Submission of the UAMS Student Pre-Enrollment Medical Form
• Major medical health insurance coverage that meets minimum standards as designated by UAMS
• Completion of a criminal background check and drug screen

Re-Applying and Re-Admission

Students who have applied for a previous admission cycle or who withdraw or are dismissed from the UAMS College of Health Professions for any reason must re-apply for admission. Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about the process.

The application deadline for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program is Dec. 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Central time. Applications not completed online by this date may not be considered for admission to the program.

Applicants should begin the process the previous summer. Applicants who wait until November to begin the process often do not meet the application deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to job shadow genetic counselors when possible or seek other experiences to understand the genetic counselor’s scope of practice. Applicants should highlight their experiences on their resume.

The UAMS Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services. All applicants must register for the match with NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs.

Please visit the NMS website to register for the match, review detailed information about the matching process, and view a demonstration of how the matching algorithm works.

To apply to a UAMS College of Health Professions degree program, you must complete the online admission application through Workday. Please note that a non-refundable fee of $40 is required and must be submitted along with your application.

You can save your application and return to it at a later date. However, it will not be considered for review until it is submitted and the application fee is paid. After submitting your application, you will need to return to the application site to complete any remaining action items related to your application.

Personal Statement

Submit your personal statement by uploading it to the “Upload Documents” section of the UAMS Online Admission Application or by emailing it to CHPAdmissions@UAMS.edu.

For more details about the requirements for the personal statement, please refer to the admission requirements.

Personal References

On the UAMS Online Admission Application, provide the names and email addresses of three people who are capable and qualified to judge how well you would perform as a student in the program.

After you submit and pay your application fee, an email containing instructions for completing and submitting the reference form will be automatically generated and sent to the provided references.

The reference form must be submitted by the references no later than Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.

Personal Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Submit your personal resume or curriculum vitae in PDF format by either uploading it to the UAMS Online Admission Application or emailing it to CHPAdmissions@UAMS.edu.

Your resume or curriculum vitae must be received before the application deadline.

For more details about the requirements for the personal resume or curriculum vitae, please refer to the admission requirements.

Send all requested materials to the UAMS College of Health Professions Admissions Office unless otherwise instructed.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Health Professions
4301 W. Markham Street, Slot 619
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

Email: CHPAdmissions@uams.edu

Official Transcripts

Arrange for each post-secondary academic institution you have attended to forward an official transcript of your coursework.

Official transcripts should be sent directly to the UAMS College of Health Professions Admissions Office either electronically or via mail.

The deadline to submit official transcripts is Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.

For more detailed information about official transcripts, please refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website.

Note: Applicants who are enrolled in courses during the fall 2024 term may upload an unofficial transcript to their UAMS Online Admission Application and have official transcripts sent by the deadline in January.

If you have questions, please review the Transcript FAQ page or contact the UAMS College of Health Professions Admissions Office at CHPAdmissions@UAMS.edu.

International Transcripts

If an applicant is basing their eligibility on credits from an international institution, they are required to arrange for the official transcript or copy to be evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators Inc. or World Education Services.

An official copy of the evaluation must be sent directly to the UAMS College of Health Professions from the respective agency.

Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about the evaluation of international transcripts.

Official Graduate Record Examinations General Test Scores — Optional

Applicants may submit general Graduate Record Examinations General Test scores, but submission is not required.

English Fluency and Literacy Test Scores

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.

An official copy of the test scores must be sent directly to UAMS from the respective testing service.

Refer to the English Fluency and Literacy Requirement policy for more details.

After the application deadline, the admissions committee will review all applications. Applications that are incomplete after Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, may not be considered for admission.

Applicants selected for the interview process will be notified by email. Virtual interviews will be conducted in late February to late March via live interactive video using Zoom. All interviewees must have a webcam so they can be seen at all times during the interview.

Only applicants who complete the full interview process will be considered for inclusion on the rank-list during the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match.

If the applicant is admitted to the program, the following additional requirements must be met before they enroll in the program.

Additional Official Transcripts

If you are accepted into the program, you will also need to provide official transcripts to UAMS reflecting the completion of your degree and any courses that were in progress at the time of the application deadline. Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about submitting official transcripts to the college.

State Authorization of Distance Education and Clinical Placement

Students enrolling in a distance education program who are not residing in Arkansas, as well as students who are going to a state other than Arkansas for clinical experience, must have prior approval from that state’s higher education agency. Federal Program Integrity standards require UAMS to gain this approval.

Fortunately, Arkansas along with many other states have joined the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. Members of the SARA provide automatic approval to other member states to “operate” in that state. More information on state authorization for distance education to include out-of-state clinical placement of students can be found on the UAMS Academic Affairs website.

Should you have any questions regarding state authorization or the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, please contact Tina Maddox, Ph.D., associate dean for academic affairs, at 501-686-5730 or TMaddox@uams.edu.

Immunizations and Tests

Accepted students must show documentation of certain required immunizations or tests prior to enrolling in a UAMS College of Health Professions program. Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details.

Pre-Enrollment Medical Form

Thirty days prior to their first semester’s registration, all individuals admitted must submit the UAMS Student Pre-Enrollment Medical Form. This form is used by UAMS Student and Employee Health Services to verify required immunizations and to establish a baseline for treating illnesses occurring after admission.

Health Insurance

All students admitted to a UAMS College of Health Professions degree or certificate program are required to have major medical health insurance coverage at all times that meet minimum standards as designated by UAMS. For health insurance information, please refer to the UAMS Student Life website.

Background Check and Drug Screen

When required, admitted applicants or students must obtain a criminal background check and drug screen. Background checks and drug screens are meant to ensure the safety and compliance of all UAMS College of Health Professions students with various clinical sites. Refer to the Background Checks and Drug Screens for Applicants and Students policy for more information.

If you have questions or concerns on these two items, please contact Phyllis Fields, associate dean for student affairs at PAFields@uams.edu or 501-686-5730.