Genetics Counseling

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. 

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 to provide supplemental experiences. Time spent in placements will vary according to the academic year, site availability, student interest and other 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 just prior to graduation. Students will also present the findings at Loma Linda University School of Medicine's Annual Postgraduate Convention and will submit an abstract at a regional or national professional conference.  

Comprehensive exams

A comprehensive exam (board-style) will be administered each at the end of the first year and 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. 

Coursework

All students in the MSGC program are required to complete the coursework listed below.  Supplementary experiences are included - attendance and participation in case conferences, patient review meetings, journal clubs etc. NOTE: There are no transfers of credit into MSGC Program.  All courses in the curriculum must be completed at Loma Linda University. 

* Fulfills LLU School of Religion requirement 

** Fulfills LLU service-learning requirement 

Credit is recorded in quarter units. A credit hour is defined as 50 minutes of direct faculty instruction per week for 10 weeks in a quarter (11 weeks including finals week) and two to three hours of out-of-class assignments for each unit of credit. All the coursework will be offered in the traditional 10-week quarter system.  

Applicants to the Master of Science in Genetics Counseling  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

• Loma Linda University requirements for International students 
• Per Loma Linda University 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 Loma Linda University 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.   

Loma Linda University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) 

1080 Marina Village Parkway
Suite 500
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: 510-748-9001
Fax: 510-748-9797 
Website:  http://www.wscuc.org 

Master of Science in Genetic Counseling accreditation 

The program has applied for Candidacy Status at the accrediting body, Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) in February 2023.

1660 International Drive
Suite 600 
McLean, VA 22102 USA 

Phone: 703.506.7667 
Email: info@gceducation.org 
Website: www.gceducation.org 

The program anticipates submitting a full application requesting Accredited New Program status from the ACGC on January 15, 2024. The accrediting body’s timeline for approval decisions is 8 to 12 months. 

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.