Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
WHICH COURSES COUNT TOWARDS THE PRE-REQUISITES?
Choose the biology, chemistry, genetics, etc. courses that are required for biology or pre-med majors. Most psychology courses and introductory statistics or biostatistics course are acceptable.
ARE ONLINE COURSES ACCEPTABLE?
Yes as long as the courses are offered at an accredited university or college.
DO ALL PRE-REQUISITES NEED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION?
All prerequisites must be completed by the application deadline. This is especially important for prerequisites like Genetics and Biochemistry which require a grade of B- or better. The Admission Committee will need to see those grades.
Any courses which were taking during the semester in which an applicant was to apply to the program must be in compliance with the Admissions In-Progress Course Policy.
CAN I STILL APPLY IF MY UNDERGRADUATE CUMULATIVE GPA IS LESS THAN 3.0?
Yes. Applicants with an undergraduate cumulative GPA below 3.0 may demonstrate their ability to achieve academic success in the program in other ways. If you would like to provide context to your GPA or transcript there is the opportunity to briefly do so in the application.
ARE BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED?
Yes and no. Background checks are not required for admission to SCU but are often required for off-campus training (ex. rotations). The majority of our outside training partners require students to undergo some level of background check before participating in activities at their site(s). These background checks may include drug screening. Outside training partners include any institution or organization beyond the SCU campus boundaries where a student participates in a clinical rotation or other activity directly related to the Genetic Counseling Program graduation requirements.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MATCH SYSTEM?
All accredited Genetic Counseling graduate programs use a match system for program admissions. Applicants must register in the National Match System (NMS) in addition to following the required application process for each individual school. More information can be obtained at https://www.natmatch.com/gcadmissions/.
DO I HAVE TO BE VACCINATED FOR COVID-19?
Students at SCU are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enroll and attend classes. However, most of our partner hospitals and clinic sites where required fieldwork is completed, are requiring students to be fully vaccinated in order to participate in fieldwork (clinical rotations). Some sites are accepting medical/religious exemptions for students; others require students to be fully vaccinated and will not accept exemptions. This is a decision made by the hospitals/clinics and SCU has no control over this, especially when the sites are operating under state vaccine mandates.
SOME OF MY PREREQUISITES ARE FROM 5-10+ YEARS OLD. IS THAT TOO OLD?
For course work, generally it is fine as long as you feel you can recall the information. If your course work in molecular biology and/or genetics is over 5 years old it is strongly recommended that you take a refresher as that content has changed significantly in recent years. Please indicate or comment on any refresher courses in your application. Supplementary activities should be current, especially any activities investigating the genetic counseling profession.
CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS APPLY?
Due to U.S. Homeland Security regulations and our online program structure, we are regretfully unable to provide F-1 student visa paperwork to international students for this degree program. International students who are currently residing in the US on a visa other than an F-1 visa should check to see if their current visa allows for participation in our program. Please note that international students cannot participate in our program on a tourist visa.
CAN STUDENTS FROM ANY STATE APPLY?
Yes. We will accept applications from all 50 states in the US.
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ACCEPTED?
12
DO I NEED TO REAPPLY EVERY YEAR?
Yes if you are not accepted.
DOES THE PROGRAM ALLOW FOR PART-TIME STATUS?
Not at this time.
WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK DURING THE PROGRAM?
This program is full-time enrollment with an estimated required time commitment of at least 30 hours per week. The curriculum is delivered primarily in an asynchronous format which means you have flexibility to access the content and complete assignments at your discretion but within the due dates. Group work and partner work is common so you will need to be able to coordinate your schedule accordingly.
Integrative, Whole Health Approach
Why should I care that SCU is focused on Integrative, Whole Health?
Because healthcare is increasingly moving in this direction. You’ll be entering a healthcare system that places greater emphasis on whole-person care, prevention, and collaboration across disciplines. An Integrative, Whole Health education will prepare you to understand the many factors that influence health, the range of approaches available to patients, and how your profession fits into the bigger picture.
Why should I care that SCU provides an Interprofessional Education?
Because in the real world, healthcare is rarely delivered by one profession alone. Learning with and about other healthcare disciplines will help you understand what other providers do, when their expertise may benefit your patients, and how to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate care effectively.
Will focusing on Integrative, Whole Health take away from learning my own profession?
No. You will still develop the advanced knowledge and skills you need to become an expert in your chosen profession. Integrative, Whole Health adds a broader understanding of the patient, other health professions, and the healthcare system in which you’ll practice—it doesn’t replace professional expertise.
Couldn’t I learn this at any healthcare university?
You may encounter elements of it elsewhere. At SCU, however, this broader perspective is part of the environment in which you’ll learn from the beginning—not simply a topic you’ll encounter in an individual course or elective.