Genetic Counseling | School of Medicine

Mission 

To build a nationally recognized program which provides graduates of the program with skills and values to thrive in clinical genetics and genomics with adaptive expertise, to align with Loma Linda University’s mission of comprehensive whole person care through academic rigor, fieldwork rotations, introspection and diversity in didactic and experiential curriculum.

Vision

To train genetic counselors from diverse backgrounds to excel in their professional roles in a variety of settings, with the goal of enabling inclusive and equitable provision of genetic counseling services to all communities locally and nationally, that is valuable to these communities.

What is genetic counseling?

Genetic counseling is a process of communicating medical and scientific information to an individual or family with a genetic condition or birth defect. One of the main objectives is to assist families and individuals to understand complex genetic and medical information in the simplest way possible.

Who are genetic counselors?

Genetic counselors (GCs) are health professionals with specialized training and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Most GCs enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health and social work.

What separates genetic counseling from other health care professionals is the unique combination of expertise in medical and molecular genetics and skills in psychosocial counseling. This awareness of and concern for the psychological aspects of the impact of genetic testing and inherited conditions has been integral to the development of the field from the beginning and resonates with LLU Health’s mission of whole person care. 

Why choose Loma Linda University School of Medicine?

The program derives its strength from well-regarded clinical genetics faculty with a depth of expertise in clinical genetics and genomics.

Robust genetic counseling service in hospital and outpatient settings, specializing in areas such as cancer, cardiogenetics, maternal fetal medicine, metabolic genetics, neurogenetics.
Provision of client-centered care at an institution with a mission of whole person care to facilitate informed decision-making in an inclusive manner.
Loma Linda University Health is an academic medical center and leader in education, research and patient care.
Loma Linda University is located between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Affordable cost of living, with easy access to beach cities and mountains.

Admissions

Applicants to the MSGC Program are individuals with an undergraduate degree who can balance high academic achievement with excellent written and verbal communication skills, adequate advocacy experiences and insight into their choice of genetic counseling as a career. 

Transcripts:
- Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institutionally accredited college or university or equivalent
- Required: At least one quarter or semester of college-level coursework in genetics (designed for life science majors such as biology, molecular and cell biology) to be completed at an institutionally accredited college or university within USA or Canada or its equivalent
- Recommended: At least one quarter or semester of college-level biochemistry, psychology or sociology and statistics or biostatistics
- Unofficial transcripts should be submitted from all post-secondary colleges or universities attended, including from those at which the candidate took only one or a few courses to satisfy pre-requisites. Admitted students must submit official transcripts
- All prerequisite science courses must be taken within the last 10 years from the time of application
International students can access information regarding LLU requirements for International students
- Per LLU School of Medicine policy, applicants from schools in countries other than USA and Canada are required to present verification of academic credentials and a U.S equivalency report.
Minimum overall GPA of 3.00
Curriculum Vita
Personal Statement (500 words): Describing personal motivating factors in genetic counseling as a career choice and a self-assessment of strengths and potential anticipated challenges.
Advocacy Experience: Compensated or volunteer advocacy experience(s) in a counseling or support role in health care, health behaviors or similar agencies. Applicants may have experiences in different settings, both in-person and remote, including crisis hotlines, Planned Parenthood, domestic abuse shelters, homeless shelters, hospice care facilities or facilities catering to individuals with physical or intellectual impairments, interviewing participants in a research setting etc.
Shadowing experiences and internships: Shadowing or interning with a genetic counselor is ideal, but not required.
Three Letters of Recommendation: Letters must be from individuals who can address the readiness of the applicant for graduate school and for the profession. One letter must be from a mentor in the applicant’s advocacy or counseling experience, which should be of substantial duration. All letters to be submitted electronically.
National Matching Services (NMS): All applicants must register with the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS) and must provide a Match ID number to be considered for admission.
GRE: The GRE is not required for admission.
Interviews: Personal interviews with the LLU MSGC Program Admissions Committee will be scheduled between February and early April. Deadlines for the GC Admissions Match Process is usually available in the fall of the previous year.

Certification and Licensure

Graduates of the LLU MSGC Program will be eligible to take the board certification examination administered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

330 North Wabash Avenue

Suite 2000

Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 313-321-6879

Email: info@abgc.net

Website: www.abgc.net

Requirements for genetic counseling licensure vary slightly from state to state in those that require a license to practice as a Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC^®). More information available at the ABGC and the NSGC.

Program Requirements

Program requirements:

Coursework:

All students in the MSGC program are required to complete the coursework listed in the table below (80 quarter units). Supplemental experiences are included here (attendance and participation in case conferences, patient review meetings, journal clubs etc.)

NOTE: There are no transfers of credit into the MSGC Program.  All courses in the curriculum must be completed at Loma Linda University.

Fieldwork experience:

Students will have placements for fieldwork observation in each quarter of the first year and will start fieldwork rotations in the summer after the first year. Each fieldwork rotation will be for approximately 180- 200 hours every quarter. Two of the placements can be for a shorter duration of time in any quarter and can also serve to provide supplemental experiences. Time spent in placements may vary according to the academic year, site availability, student interest, in keeping with program guidelines.

Capstone project:

Students are required to complete a Capstone research project individually under the guidance of a Capstone Committee. Students will present the completed project orally and in writing after final approval from the Committee prior to graduation. Students will also present the findings at the Annual Postgraduate Convention at the LLU School of Medicine and will submit an abstract at a regional or national professional conference.

Comprehensive exam:

A comprehensive exam (board-style) will be administered at the end of the second year of the program. Students will also be required to take self-assessment modules throughout the second year in preparation for board certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Financial Aid at Loma Linda University

Projected cost of program to students:

LLU Application Fees: $60

National Matching Services: $100

Tuition Y1: $42,500

Tuition Y2: $43,775

Books/ Misc. (estimate): $1000

Total: $87,435

Quarter	Course Number	Name of Course	Units
YEAR 1
Fall Quarter 1 14 units
	GCAT 521	Prenatal and Perinatal Genetics	3
	ANAT 544	Human Embryology	2
	GCAT 501	Foundations of Genetic Counseling	2
	EPDM 520	Data Collection Methods	3
	EPDM 509	Principles of Epidemiology	3
	GCAT 701	Practicum: Observation	1
Winter Quarter 2 10 units
	GCAT 522	Clinical Genetics	3
	GCAT 523	Genetic and Genomic Testing and Interpretation	2
	GCAT 524	Biochemical and Therapeutic Genetics	2
	GCAT 502	Advanced Psychosocial Genetic Counseling	2
	GCAT 702	Practicum: Observation 1	1
Spring Quarter 3 11 units
	GCAT 525	Population Genetics and Common Disease	1
	GCAT 526	Cancer Genetics	2
	GCAT 527	Specialty Genetics	3
	GCAT 503	Genetic Counseling and the Community	1
	RELE 505	Clinical Ethics	3
	GCAT 703	Practicum: Observation 2	1
Summer Quarter 4 9 units
	AHRM 604	Research Proposal Writing	3
	GCAT 721	Fieldwork rotation 1	6
YEAR 2
Fall Quarter 5 14 units
	GCAT 571	Capstone Project 1	3
	GCAT 528	Evaluation of Medical Literature	1
	GCAT 541	GC Professional Development 1	1
	CHLS 505	Cross-cultural Perspectives in Healthcare	3
	GCAT 722	Fieldwork Rotation 2	6
Winter Quarter 6 11 units
	GCAT 572	Capstone Project 2	3
	GCAT 591	Medical Genetics and Health Systems Seminar 1	1
	GCAT 542	GC Professional Development 2	1
	GCAT 723	Fieldwork Rotation 3	6
Spring Quarter 7 11 units
	GCAT 573	Capstone Project 3	3
	GCAT 592	Medical Genetics and Genomics Seminar 2	1
	GCAT 543	GC Professional Development 3	1
	GCAT 734	Fieldwork Rotation 4	6

		TOTAL UNITS	80

Program Learning Outcomes

The program learning outcomes are designed to ensure that students meet the practice-based competencies defined by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). Students who successfully complete the program will be able to:

Demonstrate strong clinical genetics and genomics knowledge and expertise and clinical reasoning to provide evidence-based genetic counseling.
Provide client-centered care, facilitate informed decision-making in an inclusive and values-based manner and advocate for individuals, families and diverse communities.
Illustrate critical thinking in designing and implementing research projects, develop oral and written communication skills to report information related to genetics, genomics and genetic counseling practice.
Act in accordance with the ethical, legal and philosophical principles of the genetic counseling profession.
Develop a professional identity to advocate for genetic counseling in the healthcare infrastructure and promote interdisciplinary relationships across varied settings- clinics, laboratories, and industry.
Demonstrate proficiency in the 4 domains of the Practice-Based Competencies for Genetic Counselors delineated by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling.
Achieve successful certification via the American Board of Genetic Counseling’s certification exam.