Becoming a genetic counselor requires a master’s degree in genetic counseling, as well as undergraduate coursework in science and counseling. Admission to graduate programs is competitive, and some states require licensing. Bilingualism and interpersonal skills are also valuable in the profession.
A person planning to become a genetic counselor will spend as much time in school as anyone who wants to practice any form of counseling. In most countries, the genetic counselor is seen as a health professional with expertise in genetics and counseling. This gives genetic counselors the skills they need to inform clients of any genetic markers they may have that indicate greater potential for disease, and also to help people deal psychologically with the ramifications of any increased risk of disease in themselves or their family members.
While this varies by country, many countries have a similar training path for the student who wants to become a genetic counselor. In the US, students are required to complete master’s work in a genetic counseling program. Before reaching a graduate program, there are usually prerequisites that need to be met at the undergraduate level. Most undergraduate students need to have a degree that weighs heavily in the sciences, particularly the life sciences. They usually must combine this with therapy or counseling courses. Some people meet these requirements by becoming a nurse, and others may simply choose a science and a psychology major.
Before deciding on an undergraduate degree, students should review current requirements for master’s programs in genetic counseling. There may be specific courses that a student must take to enroll in a program. Additionally, some programs specify that students have some work experience in the counseling field.
Even in a large country like the US, there are not many graduate programs in genetic counseling. There are currently only about 30 of them, though that could grow or shrink. This means that grades are extremely important for admission and most schools also require people to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Generally, students are required to do this in their freshman year so that they can include scores on their graduation applications at the start of their senior year. Considering the relatively few training programs, students should plan to apply to multiple schools and be prepared to move to complete their studies to become a genetic counselor.
Most graduate programs take two years to complete, and the work may not be fully done by the time a person earns a degree. Some states now also have licensing requirements, and there is a general movement in many US states to pass a legislature that requires licensing. A person who graduated as a genetic counselor will need to know if the state they plan to work in has additional requirements to meet or have licensing laws.
There are a few things that can help a student who wants to become a genetic counselor along the way and throughout their career. Many people in this profession work in very large hospitals with diverse populations. Being bilingual and especially speaking Spanish is an extremely attractive element for hospitals that hire genetic counselors. Those who didn’t start learning a language in high school should definitely start working on it in college. Of course, the profession also requires a high level of professionalism, the ability to be compassionate, and the possession of strong communication and interpersonal skills.
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