Prerequisites
The courses and experiential work below are considered prerequisites for students applying for a master's degree in Genetic Counseling at UT Southwestern.
Questions? Please UTSWGCP@utsouthwestern.edu us.
Coursework
For the 2025-2026 academic year:
Below is a list of prerequisite courses students must complete with a grade of “C” or higher before starting the program. Prerequisite coursework is intended to ensure students have the foundational knowledge to be successful in a genetic counseling training program. There is no time limit on prerequisite coursework; however, we recommend that a genetics course (either undergraduate or graduate) be completed within the last 10 years. Recent coursework, successful completion of graduate level science courses, and other mechanisms can also show evidence of preparation for a masters degree in genetic counseling.
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses will be considered if the course title and credit hours are listed on a college/university transcript and are equivalent to the prerequisite requirements. Applicants may be asked to provide a course description for the Admissions Committee to determine if the course will be accepted.
Minimum Required Courses*
- Biochemistry I
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- General or Human Genetics
- Psychology
- Statistics
Classes may be in progress at the time of application submission.
*Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot review specific course descriptions prior to application submission. Applicants may clarify how courses meet the recommended coursework in their application.
Additional Recommended Courses
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry II
- Calculus
- Embryology/Developmental Biology
- Laboratory Courses
- Molecular/Cellular Biology
- Research Experiences
Additional Requirements
Understanding of the Profession
Successful applicants should demonstrate a strong understanding of the genetic counseling profession. This knowledge can be gained through many different experiences, including shadowing/interning with genetic counselors, speaking with genetic counselors through informational interviews, listening to webinars, podcasts, reading blogs, or social media interactions.
Relatable Skills
Successful applicants should have skills or experiences that relate to genetic counseling. This can include counseling experience (e.g., crisis counseling, peer counseling), advocacy work, volunteer experiences (e.g., Special Olympics, participating at camps for children with disabilities), internships, or paid work experiences.
Special Notes about Prerequisites
For the 2025-2026 academic year, below are some important points to note about prerequisite courses:
- Community colleges. It is acceptable to take prerequisite courses at a community college as long as the description of each course closely matches the prerequisite description.
- Applying before prerequisites are completed. You may apply and interview for admission even if you haven’t completed all the prerequisite courses. If prerequisite coursework is not complete at the time of application submission, proof of courses in progress or a plan of enrollment should be submitted with the application, and a transcript indicating the course was successfully completed with a grade "C" or higher should be submitted to UTSWGCP@UTSouthwestern.edu at the completion of the course. Courses must be completed by the spring term of the intended year of matriculation into the UT Southwestern Genetic Counseling Program. We recommend completing your prerequisite courses before you apply.
- Transfers. We don’t accept transfers from other Masters in Genetic Counseling Programs.
Last updated 12/18/2023.
