The UAB Genetic Counseling Program is a 21-month, full time program. At this time, we do not have options for students to participate in the program part time.

Yes. The Genetic Counseling Program is fully accredited by The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC).

No. All students must have successfully completed the prerequisite coursework to enter the program, but many genetic counselors have undergraduate degrees in psychology, social work, or education.

The number of students varies depending on available clinical rotations. Generally, we admit between six to ten students each year.

The deadline to receive all applications at UAB is January 7 of each year. Interviews for qualified candidates are typically scheduled in February and March.

The National Match Day for genetic counseling programs is usually in late April.

You do not have to complete all the prerequisite courses before the application deadline. However, you will have to successfully complete all prerequisites before enrollment in the Fall you plan to begin the Genetic Counseling Program to be officially admitted.

If you have not completed all prerequisites at the time of your application, indicate when a prerequisite will be completed in your application.

Exposure to genetic counseling (i.e., shadowing a counselor in clinic) and/or meeting with a genetic counselor to discuss the career is strongly encouraged prior to applying to the program. You can visit the NSGC “Find a Counselor” link (www.nsgc.org) to find a counselor in your area. To request a time to shadow in a UAB clinic, email askCDS@uab.edu.

If you are unable to find a genetic counselor through NSGC’s website, click here to view a recorded genetic counseling session. Viewing these videos is a great way to get a glimpse into a genetic counseling session.

UAB is built with adventurous students in mind. A culture of collaboration and fearless exploration create a special experience for students in the UAB Genetic Counseling Program. These include:

• Diversity of clinical training sites both at UAB and with our partners across the country.
• Emphasis on genomic medicine with access to local and national population based genomic research.
• Service learning and volunteer opportunities with advocacy organizations and community partners.
• Graduate projects tailored to students’ interests.
• Interdisciplinary education.
• Many resources that come with being part of a university and major medical center (seminar and grand rounds, libraries, recreation centers, graduate student organizations, etc.)

The genetic counseling profession is rapidly expanding and diversifying. UAB genetic counseling students are employed in the field of genetic counseling before or shortly after graduation.

Tuition information can be found on the Graduate tab of the Tuition and Fees page, and additional fees are listed in the Health Professions section of the Institutional Fees tab. If you have more questions about tuition and fees, please email askCDS@uab.edu.

Yes. If you are a student in another state in the Southeast, and your state participates in this program, you may be eligible to attend our program for in-state tuition. Visit the SREB website to learn more.

Availability of scholarship, assistantship, and work opportunities change yearly, and should be discussed with the program director at interviews or when gathering information about our program. UAB's Financial Aid Office may also be able to answer additional questions regarding costs.

In general, the first year of training includes classes, clinical preparation, and work on a graduate project. Second year students have seminar classes that they can join remotely or in person, complete clinical rotations, and complete their graduate project work.

Students at UAB benefit from diverse, expansive clinical training opportunities. All students complete a portion of their clinical training at UAB as well as a portion of their training off site with one of our many clinical partners across the country. Prospective students rank the available training tracks as part of the Match admission process. (In other words, you get to choose the tracks you are interested in.)

Affiliation agreements have been established between our program and clinics in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Indiana, Minnesota, Georgia, Ohio, Oregon, Missouri, Maryland, Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina, Washington, West Virginia, and Australia. Others are possible, and we are very open to working with students to establish new opportunities whenever possible. To learn what tracks are available to you, visit the Clinical Education page or contact the assistant program director.

The UAB Genetic Counseling Program welcomes students from around the U.S. and beyond. The University of Alabama at Birmingham values diversity in all of its forms.

Individuals who graduate from a genetic counseling program are eligible to become board certified via examination by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

The exam is offered during August and February of each year. Some states also require licensure with state-dependent requirements after certification. After certification, all counselors are required to maintain continued education credits to renew their certification every five years.

Visit the following sites to learn about genetic counseling.

• National Society of Genetic Counselors
• American Board of Genetic Counseling
• Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling
• Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors

Yes, we welcome student contact. Please email askCDS@uab.edu to set up a meeting.

During the first year, students volunteer for multiple support group fundraisers and educational events in the Birmingham area. In the second year, students take a service learning course (GC 600) that enables them to participate with a community partner and spend valuable time getting to know adults with disabilities. This is a course unique to our curriculum. Second year students also give educational talks and lectures to local college, high school, middle school, and other audiences.

Outside of program requirements, students can volunteer in a variety of ways during their time in the program. Some students engage in crisis counseling, work with children who have special needs, or participate in a number of other available opportunities.

Yes, UAB Genetic Counseling students participate in both informal role plays in class and also have the opportunity to work with standardized patients in our professional simulation center. Simulations enable students to gain experience counseling rare indications and delivering an abnormal diagnosis in a safe environment where feedback is available.

The UAB Department of Genetics is an integral partner to the Genetic Counseling Program. UAB is a world-renowned center for genetic and genomic research and clinical care.

The UAB Department of Genetics faculty are actively improving the lives of individuals with genetic disorders through their research. UAB is also a recruitment site for national genomic research initiatives like All of Us and SouthSeq and is the home site for the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.

Visit the School of Health Professions website to learn more about degrees offered by the UAB School of Health Professions.

UAB will accept AP credit for Biology I and II, Statistics, and Psychology.

If you have questions about whether a course you have taken meets the prerequisite requirements, then please email the course syllabus and schedule to askcds@uab.edu.

Organic chemistry is not a required by the UAB Genetic Counseling program. However, some institutions require organic chemistry as a prerequisite for biochemistry.

No, the GRE is not required for admissions to the UAB Genetic Counseling program, and it is not a part of the application review process.

Yes. However, if students have the option, it is preferred for courses to be taken for a letter grade, especially prerequisite courses.

Although the fellowship has been available previously, it is not available for this current admissions cycle.