Offered by: College of Medical Sciences
Program Director: Stephanie Gandomi, MS, MBA, LCGC
Program launches in Fall 2025
The College of Medical Sciences offers the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC), a 60-credit program consisting of a mix of lecture, lab, and clinical instruction. The MSGC program is designed for individuals seeking to enter genetic counseling practice, as well as those interested in working in industry and research. Students are expected to enroll full time for 5 consecutive terms including summer. Students will receive robust, online interactive instruction, as well as on-ground fieldwork practicum placements available in many locales - both of which will prepare graduates to serve the needs of all patients. Synchronous classes are generally held Monday through Friday during the day (Pacific Time Zone), although classes and clinical experiences may be scheduled at any time including evenings and weekends. Fieldwork and the Doctoral Capstone may be offered near the student’s geographic area/residence or partially online, but could require travel throughout the United States.
The program prepares genetic counseling students to be competent, caring, and successful integrative whole health practitioners and professionals. The program is designed to provide geographic and residency flexibility for students who need flexibility to complete a professional degree. Flexibility is offered through online coursework, fieldwork practicum sites, and the capstone:
- Online Coursework: Online Interactive courses support achievement of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) Practice Based Competencies (PBCs).
- Fieldwork: Online interactive, Blended, and On-ground Fieldwork experiences offered at locations throughout the United States allow students to provide direct patient care in a variety of settings.
- Capstone Project: Students complete a capstone aligned with the values of the University; the location and delivery format of the capstone will depend on approved project.
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program has been officially approved by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) as a new Candidate genetic counseling graduate program and is actively pursuing full New Program accreditation. This is anticipated to be completed prior to student matriculation in 2025. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination in genetic counseling administered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be a Certified Genetic Counselor. Passage of this examination is a required component for licensure in states that require licensure for the genetic counseling profession.
This program is a hybrid delivery program. While most courses are held online, some courses - particularly Fieldwork - will require in-person attendance at multiple locations, which may or may not be within the student’s state of residence. See Clinical Experiences in the University Catalog. See State Authorization information in the University Catalog.
The mission of the SCU Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program, which is aligned with the mission of SCU, is to educate genetic counseling students to be competent, caring, and successful integrative whole health practitioners and professionals.
The vision of the MSGC program is to prepare graduates to become leaders among healthcare professionals by serving the needs of patients with evidence-based medicine, endeavoring to reduce healthcare disparities, promoting healthcare equality and whole health, and persevering to innovate the field of genetic counseling for future generations.
The MSGC program’s objectives are grounded in the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Code of Ethics and the University’s four core values which are integrative health, evidence-based practice, health-equity, and inclusivity. Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is committed to maintaining a community of students and employees that reflect, embrace, and value the breadth of diversity including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, spiritual and religious belief, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, and geographic background, consistent with SCU’s core value of Inclusivity.
As reflected by SCU’s value of Health Equity, “we value people’s health equally and want all individuals and communities to have a fair and just opportunity to be healthy.” Therefore, MSGC students will be empowered to impact determinants of health and reduce health care disparities. The MSGC Program will be an ACGC accredited training program for professional genetic counselors at SCU. The program will offer an innovative, holistic, and inclusive Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) degree committed to expanding access to the profession through online course design and a national network of practical fieldwork opportunities.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs): The SCU Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) Program’s Learning Outcomes are based on the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) Practice Based Competencies necessary as an entry-level genetic counselor.
PLO1: Demonstrate genetic counseling skills which reflect knowledge and application of genetics and genomics principles, genetic conditions, and testing technologies to the practice of genetic counseling. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #1)
PLO2: Integrate personal and family history information into a personalized genetic client-centered risk assessment, including information on family history, genetic testing, and laboratory data. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #2)
PLO3: Conduct genetic counseling interactions with clients which integrate psychosocial needs assessment through client-centered decision-making processes which facilitate a working alliance to support the client’s decision-making process. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #3)
PLO4: Adapt communication of genetics and genomics information to clients, colleagues, and other community partners through a variety of approaches which are tailored to specific individuals and audiences. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #4)
PLO5: Critically interpret evidence-based data and literature relevant to genetic counseling and contribute to the genetic counseling research process. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #5)
PLO6: Evaluate the role of genetic counselors within the larger healthcare system by engaging in activities and initiatives which analyze how healthcare disparities, inequities, and systemic bias impact patient care. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #6)
PLO7: Conduct genetic counseling interactions in a way which embody the values of the genetic counseling profession self-reflection and compliance with professional scope of practice guidelines, professional ethical codes of conduct, and the promotion of inclusive, just, and equitable environments for all individuals. (ACGC Core Practice Based Competency #7)
Applicants for the MSGC degree must submit the following:
- A completed application through the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match program administered by the National Matching Services, Inc. (NMS): https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/
- A completed application submitted to SCU’s Admissions Department
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Two references - including name, email address, and relationship - who are willing to confirm your skills, ability, and/or professional and/or academic experience.
- Current CV/resume.
- Showcase portfolio.
- A showcase portfolio is a unique, applicant-driven way of providing the MSGC leadership team and admissions committee with an overview of the personal and professional story. The portfolio highlights best work, skills, passions, and academic and/or professional achievements. The following are sample items that could be included in the portfolio: published articles, case studies, interactive academic and professional projects, summaries of academic papers and/or research performed, testimonials and recommendations, awards and certifications, artwork, web design, and/or creative achievements, personal statements, photography, blog posts, writing samples, video introductions, skills matrix, infographics, and anything else to be shared with the MSGC Program Admissions Committee.
Applicants for the MSGC degree must meet the following admissions standards. Applicants who do not meet all standards may be admitted with the approval of the Program Director; exceptions are made on an individual basis.
- A completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent foreign agency).
- Successful interview with the MSGC Program Admissions Committee.
- Meet the physical and technical requirements to successfully complete the program, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- If a cumulative GPA is lower than 3.0, the applicant must ensure the showcase portfolio includes professional accomplishments for holistic consideration.
- A minimum of 18 semester credits (27 quarter units) of life and physical science courses with a grade of C or higher (example courses include, but are not limited to, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, psychology, and statistics)
The GRE is not required.
The SCU MSGC program participates in and adheres to the policies set forth by the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match program (“the Match”) administered by the National Matching Services, Inc. (NMS). The purpose of “the Match” is to consider both the applicants’ and the programs’ preferences in program admission, and to place master’s level genetic counseling applicants into respective genetic counseling programs. For more information, please visit National Matching Services for Genetic Counseling.
Upon acceptance, students must submit program-specific documentation through the University’s clinical documentation management system, EXXAT. Pre-matriculation requirements must be fulfilled prior to matriculation, unless stated otherwise.
- A physical examination completed by a licensed healthcare provider confirming the student’s ability to perform duties as outlined in the program’s technical standards.
- Proof of current immunization status as outlined in the Genetic Counseling Student Screening and Immunization Requirements form
- Government-issued photo ID
- Active medical insurance
- Criminal background check*
- Drug screen
*Any student that has resided or is currently residing in New York may be subject to additional fees for the criminal background check retrieval per state law of New York.
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling may be conferred upon those who have fulfilled the following requirements:
- Completed 60 credits within the required categories of coursework:
- 12 credits of clinical human genetics
- 18 credits of professional genetic counseling practice
- 18 credits of fieldwork
- 12 credits of capstone series
- Completed the MSGC Capstone Project.
- Completed all Fieldwork Practicum requirements
- Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Successfully passed the Comprehensive Exam, administered in Term 5 of the program.
- Completed all degree requirements within a minimum of 21 months, but no more than 5 years, of matriculation.
- Submitted a Petition to Graduate.
The MSGC program does not accept transfer credits.
The MSGC program requires that students complete all 60 credits and Fieldwork Practicum requirements while enrolled in the MSGC program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) to qualify for degree completion.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination in genetic counseling administered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Passage of this examination is a required component for licensure in states that require licensure for the genetic counseling profession.
Jurisdictional requirements for state licensure vary and may change; students are responsible for monitoring requirements where they wish to practice to ensure they meet local qualifications.
Students must obtain a minimum of 50 required participatory cases with individuals being evaluated for risk of - or affected by - diverse genetic conditions across the lifespan (i.e. not research participants, not standardized patients). The 50 participatory cases must be supervised by an experienced, certified genetic counselor or geneticist. The MSGC leadership team maintains affiliation agreements with local, regional, and national healthcare clinics and centers to support a diversity of Fieldwork Practicum opportunities for students. Fieldwork may be offered near the student’s geographic area/residence or partially online, but could require travel throughout the United States. Students are responsible for all travel and housing costs related to Fieldwork placements.
The required participatory cases and supplementary fieldwork experiences are conducted across multiple specialties, including prenatal, pediatric, cancer, and other areas of genetic medicine and patient advocacy. Experiences also take place in clinics, laboratories, research, industry, and other related settings. Students will also gain experience with a variety of healthcare service delivery models including in-person, telemedicine, virtual/online, and group settings.
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program culminates in the completion of a Capstone Project. The Capstone demonstrates mastery of the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program to identify a problem in clinical practice, the health system, genetic counseling education, or the genetic counseling profession, and proposes a solution - incorporating the principles of integrative, whole person health aligned with University Values.
Throughout the Capstone Project series, students will utilize and/or extend existing research to complete a final manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, conference, or other publication. Students will work closely with experienced faculty mentors, a Capstone committee, and program leadership to engage in a structured process of proposal development, literature review, and scholarly writing. Depending on the nature of the project chosen by the student, on-ground participation or travel may be required. If so, students are responsible for all travel costs related to the Capstone.
The following courses constitute the Capstone series:
MSGC 535 Research Methodologies & Statistics (Capstone I)
MSGC 545 Capstone II
MSGC 555 Capstone III
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