VCU’s one-year clinical genetics graduate certificate program is designed to enhance students’ qualifications for careers in genetic counseling. Upon successfully completing the program, our graduates are more competitive in applying for:

  • Genetic counseling M.S. programs
  • Clinical genetics fellowships
  • Genetic counselor assistant jobs
  • Nursing and technician positions in genetic diagnostic laboratories

With graduate-level courses and clinical shadowing opportunities, the curriculum provides a foundation for the understanding of inheritance as it applies to human and clinical genetics, plus modern diagnostic methodologies and the roles of genetic professionals across specialties.

More information on the VCU Graduate Bulletin

Alumni Testimonials

Seeing other students be where I wanted to be made it very real for me and was a significant source of motivation. The other students were encouraging and were willing to help me wherever they could. Even though the program was very difficult, this experience reaffirmed that genetic counseling was absolutely the career that I wanted.

Molly Felix
Class of 2022

I enrolled in the certificate program to further my education in genetics and solidify that genetic counseling was the career path I wanted to pursue. I succeeded in all my classes, balanced a part-time job and was accepted into a genetic counseling program. I had worked towards being a part of a genetic counseling program for two years, so being accepted was probably my biggest accomplishment.

Allison Weatherwax
Class of 2021

  

“I didn’t even know what clinical genetic counseling was before that, I went on an internet deep dive and attended phone call informational interviews. I had a really good gut feeling about this path.”

Alanna Varca Gentile

Life in Richmond

We encourage our students and trainees to maintain a healthy, balanced life, and Richmond is a wonderful place to engage in that well-rounded lifestyle. As a mid-sized city with a metropolitan population of 1.3 million, Richmond provides stimulating activities while maintaining its intimate feel and unique vibe. 

Learn about our community ❯

Photograph of Richmond city and the James River.

How to Apply

After completing the online application, documents such as official transcripts or resumes that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

    Virginia Commonwealth University
    Office of Admissions
    Box 843051
    Richmond, Virginia 23284-3051

Ready to get started?

Apply now

Dual degree classroom setting

Contact Us

For more information about the certificate program, please contact:

Heather Creswick
Program Director
heather.creswick@vcuhealth.org