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University of Minnesota
Graduate Studies in Genetic Counseling

Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Program Length:  21 months

Mission: Our mission is to provide outstanding education in genetics healthcare services and research, focused on creating knowledgeable, interpersonally-skilled healthcare professionals. We accomplish this by:

  • Providing comprehensive training that prepares graduates to be knowledgeable, compassionate, empathetic, and skilled genetics healthcare professionals.
  • Design an innovative training approach that prepares graduates to find creative ways to make healthcare more equitable and to expand access to genomics in healthcare.
  • Supplying the rigorous education necessary for genetic counselors to practice at the highest level of their field by meeting the needs of patients and forming collaborative relationships with colleagues and other healthcare professionals.
  • Constructing a space for graduates to gain confidence to become experts in their community and to educate community members about how genetics impacts health.
  • Cultivating awareness of identity and ability to engage effectively across cultural differences.

Vision:  To create leaders in genetic-related healthcare who mentor others in the field, use research to innovate, and educate the community they serve.

Program Website 

Prerequisite Information 

  • GRE –
  • International students –
  • GPA requirement = min 3.0
  • In-state priority –
  •  Interviews – Virtual
  • In-state: $49,500
  • Out-of-state: $73,000
  •  International: $73,000
  • Tuition reduction options –
  • On-campus work opportunities –
  • Match and/or Application Waivers –
  • Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metropolitan area for Twin Cities track students. Rochester, MN for Mayo Clinic Track students
  • Flexible summer rotation opportunities –

Changed interviews to virtual and removed the GRE as an admissions requirement to reduce costs to applicants and make our program more accessible.

All members of the admissions committee complete training in recognizing implicit bias prior to serving.   All members of program leadership and many of our instructors either have completed or are in the process of completing the U of MN Office of Equity and Diversity’s Diversity Certificate (involves over 30 hours of workshops).

Students are also encouraged to attend these workshops as their schedule permits. We have created a student representative position who meets with faculty at least monthly to bring student concerns to program leadership.  DEIB Journal Club meets monthly.

For more information, please contact gcgrad@umn.edu.

To request more information about this program, please complete this form