Outcomes

The mission of the program is to provide an education of enduring worth that cultivates wisdom and advances patient care by developing genetic counselors into astute communicators, scholarly professionals, and engaged members of their communities.  The program seeks to train well-rounded genetic counselors and give them a strong foundation in both genetic science and interpersonal communication skills.

Students who graduate from this program will:

• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Display strong scientific and empathetic foundations. 
• Demonstrate the capacity to excel as genetic counselors in fast-paced, real-world settings. 
• Exhibit collaboration and relationship-building skills. 
• Produce meaningful graduate research projects. 
• Understand and appreciate the far reach of genomics (e.g., personalized medicine, business, diversity, media).

Application and Admission

Applications to the ASGCGP are accepted fall through winter each year for admission to the program the following fall.  Exact dates vary by year.

The application process consists of two parts.

1. Registration with the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services Inc.  Registering with the Match costs $100.  The Match was established to enhance the process of placing applicants into positions in master's-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC).  The Match uses an algorithm that takes into account both applicants' and programs' preferences.  All applicants must register for the Match with NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs, and applications to the program cannot be reviewed until an applicant has registered for the Match.  At the conclusion of all program interviews, both applicants and programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS according to deadlines posted on the NMS website.  The binding results of the Match will be released to both applicants and programs simultaneously in late April.
2. Application directly to the program.  Applying to the program costs $25.  Augustana students and alumni are exempt from paying the Slate %25 application fee.  Applicants do not pay the $25 application fee in Slate until they submit their application. Submission through Slate alone does not constitute a complete application to the program.  Applications are not complete until all materials have been received by Augustana University's Office of Graduate Education.

Requirements for All Applicants

Slate account

• All applicants must apply through Slate and submit materials, as noted, to Augustana University's Office of Graduate Education.

BA or BS degree

• A bachelor's degree is required to enter the program.  However, you may complete your application prior to completing your bachelor's degree
• The program does not require a specific undergraduate major for admission.  However, common undergraduate majors include biology, chemistry, and psychology.
• To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must have at least one semester of the following prerequisite courses:
  • General or Human Genetics
  • Statistics
  • Biochemistry, Cell Biology or Molecular Biology

• The most desirable applicants will also have had a rich and varied undergraduate education.  Other courses that may help prepare applicants to succeed as genetic counseling graduate students and future genetic counselors include developmental biology, embryology, human development, writing, communication, business, and ethics.

Official transcript(s)

• An official transcript from every post-secondary institution you have attended for at least one semester's time is required.  You will need to arrange for each college or university you have attended to forward an official transcript of your coursework to Augustana University's Office of Graduate Education.

• Official transcripts sent through the postal system should be sent to:

Augustana University

Attn: Office of Graduate Education

2001 S Summit Ave

Sioux Falls, SD  57197

• Official Transcripts sent through email should be sent to graduate@augie.edu.

GPAs

• You will need to enter your cumulative GPA as well as your GPA in the Natural Sciences in the online application. Directions for calculating your Natural Sciences GPA are found within Slate.
• While the program does not specify a minimum GPA, the applicant pool is competitive.  The large majority of applicants have a minimum GPA of 3.0.  The average cumulative GPA for admitted students in 2022-2024 is 3.6, similar to the national average for genetic counseling graduate programs.  Your cumulative GPA--as well as your GPA in the Natural Sciences--will be assessed, but they are only one component of your application.

Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (Optional)

• The GRE is not required for acceptance into the program, but may be submitted as a demonstration of academic potential for applicants who do not feel their GPA is an accurate reflection of their likelihood for success in the ASGCGP.
• If you choose to submit scores, you must submit official GRE scores for the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing sections.  GRE Subject Tests are not required.  The institution code for Augustana University is 6015; the department/major field code for genetics is 0210.  Please note, GRE scores are valid for five years.  Please see the GRE website for more information.

Resume or CV

• A resume or current curriculum vitae (CV) must be submitted by uploading it to the "Upload Documents" section of your Slate application.
• The strongest applicants will have volunteer and/or professional experiences utilizing communication and advocacy skills and exposure to the genetic counseling profession.

• Examples of volunteer and/or professional experiences include crisis counseling, working with and mentoring youth (e.g. through Big Brothers Big Sisters), or providing support services for veterans.  The list of possibilities is limitless.
• One of the best ways to understand the genetic counseling profession is to spend time with practicing genetic counselors.  By interviewing or shadowing one or more genetic counselors, one can more fully understand the occupation and critically evaluate it as a career choice.  If you are unable to shadow or interview genetic counselors in your area, the Master Genetic Counselor Series found on the NSGC (National Society of Genetic Counselors) website is another option for gaining exposure to the genetic counseling field.

• Resume/CVs, personal statements, and letters of recommendation are great places to highlight your volunteer and/or professional experiences--particularly those in which advocacy and/or face-to-face communication skills were utilized--as well as your exposure to the genetic counseling profession (e.g. shadowing).

Personal statement

• You must upload a personal statement--1250 words or less--highlighting your motivation to become a genetic counselor and emphasizing your prior and current experiences and exposure to genetic counseling, and how both have prepared you to enter and will benefit you in the profession.  Let us know about yourself, your life, and your interest in our program.

Letters of recommendation

• You must submit three references names and email addresses on your Slate application.  This information will automatically generate emails to the persons providing a reference, with instructions for completing and submitting the reference form.  Letters should be from individuals familiar with your academic accomplishments, counseling-related activities, and/or potential to be a genetic counselor (e.g. academic advisors, professors, laboratory supervisors, genetic counselor supervisors of internship experiences, etc.).

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

WES Evaluation

• If you received your undergraduate degree from a country other than the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, in addition to the materials noted above, you are required to submit a World Education Services (WES) Course-by-Course Evaluation Report (Basic or ICAP).  You are responsible for paying for the report and having it delivered to Augustana University.  Please see the WES website for more information.
• WES will authenticate and evaluate your academic credentials, including degrees and diplomas earned abroad, and determine their U.S. equivalencies.  Once WES has confirmed receipt of all required applications, documents, and fees, a report will be completed in seven (7) business days.  Please see the WES website for more information about fees and how to apply.

TOEFL or IELTS scores

• If you received your undergraduate degree from a country other than the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, in addition to the materials noted above, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores to prove English-language proficiency.  The program requires a minimum TOEFL score of 87 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.  The TOEFL institution code for Augustana University is 6015, and the department code for genetics is 06.  Please see the TOEFL website or IELTS website for more information. 
• If you believe you can prove English-language proficiency via another means, please email the program at genetics@augie.edu to be considered for an exception.  The program will notify you by email whether or not an exception has been granted.

MS Genetic Counseling Degree Requirements