Admissions

Training High-Caliber Genetic Counselors

The MS in Genetic Counseling Program embraces 21st century genetics/genomics, integrates social contexts, has strong support locally and regionally, and will train high-caliber professionals.

Our program integrates strong academic grounding, direct fieldwork experiences with diverse patient populations, and independent research to prepare graduates for the dynamic field of genetic counseling.

Each cohort consists of 10 students. From matriculation to award of the degree, the normative time to degree is 21 months starting from the fall quarter of the first year through the spring quarter of the second year, including the summer quarter between the two years. The program is not set up to accept students on a part-time and/or online basis.

Master of Science in Genetic Counseling

Admissions and Outreach Events

Learn about the MS in Genetic Counseling Program and virtually connect with our community through our online information sessions, application workshops, question-and-answer sessions with current students, and various conferences and career fairs listed on the left, when available. All times are Pacific Time. Advanced registration may be required for some events. Unfortunately, we are unable to meet individually with applicants.

Campus tours are not offered by the program but can be scheduled with the Division of Graduate Education.

Application Submission

Applications for UCLA graduate programs are submitted through the Division of Graduate Education. Detailed steps on how to apply to UCLA graduate programs can also be found with the Division of Graduate Education.

Applications are received only once a year for admission to the program for the subsequent fall quarter.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet both UC-wide admissions requirements and program-specific admissions requirements. Our program adopts the UCLA Graduate Council's guidelines for the graduate admissions process.

International applicants are welcome to apply but must also meet additional requirements for admission. UCLA provides support to international students through the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars. Note that international students would not be eligible to apply for STEM-OPT upon graduation from the program; the CIP code for our program is 51.1509: GENETIC COUNSELING/COUNSELOR, which currently does not qualify our graduates for STEM-OPT.

Major

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor's degree. Common bachelor's degrees include biology, physiology, biochemistry, and life sciences. However, we consider students with any major as long as all admissions requirements are met.

Coursework

Applicants must complete at least one semester or quarter of college-level coursework in each of the following five fields, with any required topics outlined below, and assessed with a passing letter grade. Verify coverage of any required topics through either the course syllabus or instructor. Unfortunately, we do not have the person-power to review course syllabi for applicants:

• Biology.
• Biochemistry. The course(s) must include the following topics: (1) structure and function of macromolecules (proteins, lipids carbohydrates, and nucleic acids); (2) signal transduction and membrane transport; (3) pathways involved in energy production and metabolism of glycogen, fatty acids, and amino acids.
• Genetics. Including Mendelian genetics and molecular biology. The course(s) must include the following topics: (1) structure and function of DNA; (2) amplification and sequencing of DNA; (3) structure of the human genome; (4) molecular mechanisms surrounding replication, recombination, and expression of genes and the genome.
• Psychology or Sociology.
• Statistics or Biostatistics.

College-level coursework in the following fields are also strongly recommended:

• Embryology.
• Developmental Biology.
• Anatomy.
• Physiology.

A prerequisite course can be in progress at the time of application. However, most courses required for admission should be completed at the time of application. Be sure to clarify within your application the status of any outstanding prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses must be completed in order to matriculate into the program. Prerequisite courses do not need to be completed in conjunction with a degree and can be fulfilled from a community college or online. However, AP coursework cannot be counted towards coursework requirements.

Grade Point Average

In certain circumstances, the upper-division undergraduate GPA or a graduate GPA may be considered in lieu of the overall undergraduate GPA. To demonstrate an ability to improve upon past scholastic performance, we strongly recommend taking graduate-level courses at a four-year university.

Experience

Applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant experience in healthcare, teaching, counseling, and/or patient advocacy, preferably in a genetics-oriented setting, plus demonstrate (potential) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and/or the genetic counseling profession.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Applicants are expected to demonstrate potential or actual contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and/or the genetic counseling profession.

English Proficiency

If your first language is not English, or if you did not receive your bachelor’s degree in an Anglophone country, you must certify proficiency in English when you apply to UCLA. This applies to U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents as well as international applicants. If you are admitted, you may also be required to confirm your proficiency upon arrival.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) institution code for UCLA is 4837.

Application Materials

Curriculum Vitae

Your curriculum vitae should include your NMS number; genetic or general counseling experience; exposure to patients in clinical settings; research experience; leadership experience; exposure to individuals with disabilities; publications and abstracts; plus a list of courses that meet our prerequisites, including the institutions at which they were taken and your grades.

Statement of Purpose

An essay that integrates a description of how your experiences align with the program's focus and goals. Questions you can consider addressing in this essay include:

• What is your purpose in applying for graduate study in genetic counseling? Describe your area(s) of interest, including any sub-field(s) or interdisciplinary interests.
• What experiences have prepared you for advanced study in the genetic counseling graduate program? What relevant skills have you gained from these experiences? Have your experiences led to specific or tangible outcomes that would support your potential to contribute to this field?
• What additional information about your past experiences may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA? For example, you may wish to describe research, employment, teaching, service, artistic or international experiences through which you have developed skills in leadership, communication, project management, teamwork, or other areas.
• Why is the UCLA genetic counseling graduate program the best place for you to pursue your academic and professional goals?
• What are your plans for your career after earning this degree?

Personal Statement

An essay that gives you the opportunity to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA. The personal statement will also be used to consider candidates for the Track B Fellowship and the Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP). You will be asked to respond to one or more of the following prompts. To be considered for the Track B Fellowship and/or the GOFP, be sure to describe your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The University of California Diversity Statement can be used for reference.

• Are there educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences not described in your statement of purpose that have shaped your academic and professional journey? If so, how? Have any of these experiences provided unique perspectives that you would contribute to your program, field, or profession?
• Describe challenges or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education. What motivated you to persist, and how did you overcome them? What is the evidence of your persistence, progress, or success?
• How have your life experiences and educational background informed your understanding of the barriers facing groups that are underrepresented in higher education?
• How have you been actively engaged (e.g., through participation, employment, service, or teaching) in programs or activities focused on increasing participation by groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education?
• How do you intend to engage in scholarly discourse, research, teaching, creative efforts, and/or community engagement during your graduate program that have the potential to advance diversity and equal opportunity in higher education?
• How do you see yourself contributing to diversity in the genetic counseling profession after you earn your advanced degree at UCLA?

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts are permissible. Matched applicants should be prepared to request official, electronic transcripts from their institutions prior to matriculation into the program.

World Education Services (WES) credential evaluations are not accepted by UCLA. Relevant applicants must reach out to your institution to obtain a conversion table, which must be uploaded along with the transcript.

Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required, although up to four can be submitted. Letters of recommendation should come from individuals competent to evaluate qualifications for pursuit of graduate study and a genetic counseling career.

Optional Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Applicants are not required to take the GRE. However, applicants may submit their GRE General Test scores from the verbal, quantitative, and analytic sections, which will be considered as part of the holistic review process. Applications with GRE scores will not be given greater weight than those without GRE scores.

The GRE institution code for UCLA is 4837. GRE scores should be sent without the optional major code.

Deadline

The application deadline is December 1 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. All application materials to be considered, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and scores, must be received by the deadline. Any material received after the application deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Genetic Counseling Admissions Match

Registration

The Genetic Counseling Admissions Match has been established to enhance the process of placing applicants into positions in masters-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). The Match uses a process that takes into account both applicants' and programs' preferences. All applicants must register with National Matching Services (NMS) before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs. At the conclusion of all program interviews, both applicants and programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS according to deadlines posted on the NMS website. The binding results of the Match will be released to both applicants and programs simultaneously in April. Please visit NMS to view additional details about the matching process and a demonstration of how the matching algorithm works.

There is a Match registration fee and the potential to request a match fee waiver. Visit NMS for more information.

Interviews

Applicants being considered for admission will be invited to a virtual interview day.