Pamela Flodman, Graduate Program Director
UCI Medical Center, Chapman Pavilion, Suite 2200
714-456-7570 / 714-456-5789

https://medschool.uci.edu/education/graduate-studies/masters-degree-programs/genetic-counseling

The Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling at UCI School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics is committed to providing education and professional training in counseling and medical genetics, leading to a Master of Science in genetic counseling. Our goal is to train genetic counseling professionals who have developed the practice-based competencies that an entry-level provider must demonstrate to successfully practice as a genetic counselor, in a culturally responsive and respectful manner across practice settings and with all clients.

The program is based in the clinical Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine at UCI Medical Center in Orange, about 15 miles from the main university campus in Irvine. A distinguishing characteristic of the program is its integration within an active clinical genetics unit, where faculty genetic counselors and medical geneticists provide service to a wide variety of patients and families. From their first quarter of graduate study, students participate in a wide range of clinics where they learn to apply the skills and knowledge learned through academic coursework.

Our program is a two-year, full-time graduate program that operates on a quarter system. We typically admit and graduate between six and eight students each year. The class size is intentionally small to maximize the opportunity for trainees to closely interact with our faculty members in and out of the classroom and clinic.

The graduate program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), and also may apply for a license in those states that have implemented licensure. Information for University of California students regarding licensure and certification is available on the UCOP Institutional Research and Academic Planning page.

Recommended undergraduate preparation includes course work in the biological and behavioral sciences—particularly in genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, psychology, statistics, and human anatomy or embryology. Fluency in Spanish or a Southeast Asian language allows for additional opportunities working with these populations during clinical rotations but is not required. Extracurricular or employment experiences that provide evidence of the student’s maturity, interpersonal skills, and promise as a genetic counselor figure prominently in the admissions decision. References should speak to these qualities as well as to the academic qualifications of the applicant. Experience providing crisis counseling is also recommended.

Applications are accepted for the fall quarter only and must be complete by December 18. Applications undergo a holistic review process and interviews for selected applicants are conducted during February through early April. All interviews will be conducted as virtual interviews by Zoom. We participate in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match program which was established to place applicants into programs based on a fair process taking into account both the applicants’ and programs’ preferences (similar to the process of matching physicians to residency training programs). All applicants to our program must provide a Match ID number to be considered for admission.  For further information about the match program, visit the GC Admissions Match website. Six to eight students are usually admitted each year.

During the six to eight academic quarters of the program, students complete a sequence of core courses covering medical, quantitative, biochemical, molecular, and cancer genetics and genomics; teratology, embryology, and development; cytogenetics; counseling theory and application; research methods; ethical issues; and community resources. All courses are taught by Division faculty specifically for students in the program. Experiential professional training occurs concurrently with formal course work in a variety of clinics at the UCI Medical Center and affiliated facilities, in the prenatal diagnosis and cancer genetics programs, in cytogenetics and molecular genetics laboratories, and in various community agencies. Students participate in divisional and departmental professional and educational activities such as lectures, seminars, and journal club; rounds including in pediatrics, obstetrics, and ethics; tumor boards; and various research, counseling, and patient management conferences throughout the program. 

Degree requirements include a minimum of 87 quarter units, completion of a research thesis, and demonstration of the practice-based competencies of an entry level genetic counselor. The program director serves as faculty advisor to students. Teaching and supervision of professional experiential training are shared by all Division faculty and staff, who frequently review student progress. Successful completion of the program (together with an assessment that the student has achieved the practice-based competency of an entry-level genetic counselor) fulfills the curricular and clinical training requirements for eligibility to sit for examination by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.