Genetic counselor was named one of the “25 Amazing Healthcare Support Jobs” for 2023 by U.S. News & World Report and employment of genetic counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing technological innovations, including improvements in lab tests and developments in genomics, which is the study of the whole genome, are giving counselors opportunities to conduct more types of analyses. (United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Graduates of the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling degree will be prepared for careers including genetic counselor, research scientist, or professor.
What is the career outlook for genetic counselors?
The genetic counseling profession is rapidly expanding and diversifying. Heightened public awareness, coupled with scientific advances in adult disorders and reproductive technologies, have increased the demand for genetic counselors in clinical, teaching, administrative, commercial, private practice, and consulting environments. This trend is expected to continue well into the 21st century and beyond.
Click on any of the following links to read about genetic counseling’s prognosis as a career.
- Exploring Health Careers
- Overview of Genetic Counselor Career
- US News & World Report: Genetic Counseling
I Am a Genetic Counselor
Graduates of the UAB Genetic Counseling Program are prepared to work in a variety of settings including clinical practice, laboratory, and industry positions. Our faculty and alumni shared a little about what they do as genetic counselors and why they love their jobs.
Jessica Denton, Alabama
Jessica Denton is a 2013 graduate of our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program, who also happens to be the program’s Associate Director. Jessica's video delves into her favorite part of teaching the next generation of genetic counselors.
Katy Drazba, South Carolina
Katy Drazba is a 2016 graduate of our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program. Today she is working in South Carolina as a genetic counselor for Greenwood Genetic Center. In her video, Katy talks about telehealth genetic counseling and why she loves working with families and children.
Meagan Farmer, Alabama
Meagan Farmer has experience as a genetic counselor in the UAB Cancer & Prenatal Clinics. In this clip, Meagan explains her favorite part of being a genetic counselor and why earning an MBA will help her help more people.
Andrea Stacy, Missouri
Andrea Stacy is a 2017 graduate of our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program. She is a genetic counselor at Washington University in St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She tells us why genetic counseling is an exciting field.
Crescenda Williams, Texas
Crescenda Williams is a 2015 graduate of our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program. Today she is working in Texas as a genetic counselor at Children’s Medical Center. In her video, Rebecca talks about working with children with genetic conditions and what she considers the most rewarding part of her job as a genetic counselor.
Whitley Kelley, Alabama
Whitley Kelley is a 2015 graduate of our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program, who is a genetic counselor at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and The Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine. In her video, she talks about working as a genetic counselor in clinical and research settings and why she loves working with families.
Lynn Holt, Alabama
Lynn Holt established our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program in 2007. Today, she provides medical genetics education for programs across the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In this video, she talks about her favorite part of being a genetic counselor - spreading the love of genetics with countless students each year.
Rebecca Moore, Michigan
Rebecca Moore is a 2017 graduate of our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program. Today she is working in Michigan as a genetic counselor for Henry Ford Health System. In her video, Rebecca talks about working with prenatal and cancer patients as a genetic counselor and the variety of her daily schedule.
Catherine Schultz, Oklahoma
Catherine Schultz is a 2014 graduate of our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program. Today she is working in Oklahoma as a genetic specialist for Ambry Genetics. In her video, Catherine explains her non-traditional genetic counseling role and why her role as a genetic counselor is exciting.
Emily Wakefield, Ohio
Emily Wakefield is a 2014 graduate of our Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program. She works as a clinical genetic counselor and a lab genetic counselor at Cincinnati Children's. Emily's video talks about the many different and beneficial ways she uses her genetic counseling skills daily.
Alicia Gomes and Anna Hurst, Alabama
An Alabama Newscenter article titled "UAB provides top genetic counseling in Southeast" featured this video with Anna Hurst and Alicia Gomes, both genetic counselors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The article takes an in depth look at the strength of UAB Genetic Counseling from training to practice. For more information, read the full article.