Graduate Certificate in Pre-Genetic Counseling Online

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Overview

This fully online, four-course graduate certificate helps you build a competitive application for master’s-level genetic counseling programs, covering genetic counseling principles, clinical case studies, counseling psychology, and ethics. Completing it also guarantees you an interview with SCU’s Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program, as long as you meet admissions standards. See the Program Overview page for full details.

Yes. All four courses are asynchronous, so you can watch lectures and complete assignments on your own schedule each week, making it workable alongside a job or other commitments.

You can finish in as little as 15 weeks (about 3.5 months), taking two 7.5-week courses at a time. This pacing keeps your workload manageable while still moving you through quickly.

The certificate totals 12 credit hours across four 3-credit courses:

  • Genetic Counseling as a Career
  • Clinical Case Studies in Genetic Counseling
  • Introduction to Counseling Psychology
  • Psychosocial Principles of Counseling

See the Courses and Learning Outcomes page for full details.

No. This certificate strengthens your application to a genetic counseling master’s program. To actually become a genetic counselor, you still need an ACGC-accredited Master of Science in Genetic Counseling and to pass the ABGC certification exam.

SCU offers fall, spring, and summer start terms. Check the Program Overview page for current dates.

Many students do. Asynchronous coursework and a two-classes-at-a-time schedule make it possible to balance with a job, though the pace is faster than a typical semester.

Admissions Requirements & Process

  • A completed bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
  • Foundational coursework in human, medical, and/or clinical genetics (recommended, not required).
  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.

You can view the full details on the Admissions Requirements page.

Not necessarily. Specific courses aren’t required, and exceptions are evaluated case by case. If you’re missing prerequisite coursework, it’s worth talking to an advisor, especially since many genetic counseling master’s programs do expect it.

A 2.7 minimum on a 4.0 scale. That’s the floor for this certificate, not necessarily what’s competitive at the master’s level, so aim higher where you can.

No. SCU doesn’t require test scores for this certificate, just a completed application and transcripts. Some genetic counseling master’s programs still require the GRE, so check individual program requirements as you look ahead.

  • A completed application.
  • Official transcripts from every undergraduate and post-secondary institution you’ve attended.

See the Admissions Requirements page for the current list.

Admission is rolling, but you’re encouraged to apply three to six months before your intended start date. Visit the Program Overview page for current start dates.

In most cases, yes. But state authorization rules limit where SCU can offer online programs. Please check the Admissions Requirements page for current state restrictions before applying.

Yes. Requirements are the same regardless of citizenship, though international applicants face some additional steps around immigration and financial documentation. See the International Students Admissions page for details.

Tuition, Financial Aid & Scholarships

Please see the Tuition and Scholarships page for current details.

No, as long as you stay on track. SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee locks in your per-credit rate if you graduate on time or within one additional term. You can learn more on our Cost and Affordability page.

Yes. Please see Undergraduate Student Aid and our SCU Scholarships page for details.

Yes. Please check the Dates and Deadlines page.

Your Path to a Master’s in Genetic Counseling

Completing the certificate while meeting admissions standards guarantees you an interview with SCU’s MSGC program, not automatic admission. You’ll still need to interview well and meet the program’s standards to be accepted.

No. The certificate strengthens your application to genetic counseling master’s programs generally. That said, the guaranteed SCU interview gives many students a head start they choose to use.

SCU offers the certificate three times a year, timed so your completion date lines up with when most master’s programs interview and finalize matches. Check the Program Overview page for the current alignment.

The National Matching Service (NMS) is used by nearly every ACGC-accredited genetic counseling master’s program, including SCU’s, to match applicants with programs after interviews (similar to medical residency matching). You’ll likely register for it separately from each program’s individual application. Read our full breakdown: Navigating the National Matching Service for Genetic Counseling.

The Genetic Counseling Profession

Genetic counselors help patients understand their genetic makeup, assess health risks tied to inherited conditions, and interpret test results in light of family history, while guiding them through the emotional weight of that information. Read more in Pathway To Success: Becoming A Genetic Counselor.

Yes, it’s a growing field as genetic testing becomes more common in prenatal care, cancer risk assessment, cardiology, and personalized medicine. Admission to master’s programs remains competitive, which is exactly why a strong pre-genetic counseling foundation matters.

Programs typically weigh your GPA (especially science coursework), prerequisite coursework, relevant experience like shadowing or volunteering, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement. This certificate is built to strengthen exactly those areas, plus guarantee you an interview at SCU’s own Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program.

Next Steps