The Genetic Counseling Graduate Program is pleased to have welcomed students from both the Hoosier state as well as from across the country to the crossroads of America to complete their genetic counseling graduate training. Students typically comprise a relatively even mix of individuals who join the program immediately after earning their undergraduate degrees and those who have either taken a gap year or who are pursuing genetic counseling as a second career. Most students have completed undergraduate degrees in biology, genetics, neuroscience, medical sciences, psychology or related subjects.
Integrity, self-motivation, collaboration and determination are among a few of the characteristics that are valued in students. It is believed that these traits contribute to the programs high graduation rate, 97% over 30 graduating classes. Over the past three graduating classes, 26 of 28 students who matriculated have successfully completed the program for a 7.1% attrition rate. Our students' dedication to genetic counseling extends beyond graduation, and most alumni enjoy much longevity in their professional genetic counseling careers.
The Genetic Counseling Graduate Program is proud to have a strong network of alumni across the country working in a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical genetic counseling roles in academic and private medical centers, clinical research facilities and industry. Many students begin their job search early in their second year of study, with the majority (91% of the past three graduating classes) accepting job offers prior to graduation, some as early as December of their second year. Typically those who do not accept a job prior to graduation accept a genetic counseling position over the summer following graduation, with variability depending on their preferences of location and specialty. Nearly all graduates have elected to begin their careers as clinical genetic counselors, although nearly 20% of alumni from the classes of 2013 to 2019 transitioned to non-clinical genetic counseling positions after gaining experience in a clinical role. Many alumni continue their involvement in genetic counseling education by supervising graduate students in diverse specialty areas. Most alumni take the American Board of Genetic Counseling board exam in their first year following graduation. Among program graduates, 95.8% of first time test takers from the classes of 2019-2021 passed the American Board of Genetic Counseling; board exam, and across all graduating classes, the alumni pass rate is >98%.
The Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics also offers several options for students age 18 or older who are interested in shadowing a genetic counselor.
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Master of Science Genetic Counseling Program
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