Welcome from the Directors

The field of genetic counseling is ever-changing, and VCU is at the forefront of training the next generation of skilled, dynamic and compassionate genetic counselors. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, our M.S. program has doubled in size since 2010. As our impact continues to grow, we maintain a collaborative and supportive environment for all our students, with close-knit cohorts and learning opportunities across diverse multidisciplinary teams.

We believe in learning by doing. Clinical exposure begins early in the first year, and most students acquire at least 100 clinical cases throughout their time at VCU. Graduates of our program hold leadership positions throughout the field, and we are proud to prepare trainees for successful and fulfilling careers as genetic counselors.

Three Directors

Program Overview

Mission

Our mission is to develop and maintain a curriculum that effectively prepares students for successful careers in human genetics, a challenging task for a discipline that reinvents itself on a regular basis. We achieve our education and training objectives by offering undergraduate, graduate, professional and higher-level specialty courses, as well as mentored research and clinical training opportunities.

Resources

Supporting our students is at the core of the School of Medicine's mission. We provide a wide variety of resources to help enhance our graduate students' experience and ensure their safety, as well as resources to support our faculty.

Alumni Outcomes and Employment

The VCU MS Genetic Counseling Program has graduated 205 students since its inception in 1990.  For the last 3 years (2022, 2023, 2024):

  • 100% of our students graduated
  • 94% of our graduates have jobs in the field of genetic counseling
  • 77.4% of our graduates passed the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) national certification exam on their first attempt; 90% in 2024

“I find that a lot of our patients feel like they’ve been dismissed by other health care providers, so I let them tell their story. In my own medical journey, I have known the impact of that humanness, and that connection is deeply needed in health care.” Ashlyn Stackhouse, Class of 2022

Read Ashlyn’s story here ❯

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

Genetic Counseling Admissions Match

Our program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through the National Matching Services, or NMS.  Apply to VCU MS Genetic Counseling Program here.  When completing your application for VCU, you will need your NMS ID number.  To register for the Genetic Counseling Match through NMS, click here.  Admission criteria and degree requirements are available on the VCU Bulletin

Genetic Counseling Virtual Career Fair

MSGC Virtual Open House 2024

MSGC Open House 2024-v2

Ready to get started?

Apply now

Dual degree program clinical space

Contact Us

For more information about the Genetic Counseling M.S. program, please contact: