Virginia Commonwealth University Logo

Virginia Commonwealth University
Master of Science in Genetic Counseling

Location: Richmond, VA
Program Length:  21 months

Mission: To develop and maintain a curriculum that effectively prepares students for successful careers in human genetics, a challenging task for a discipline that reinvents itself on a regular basis.

We achieve our education and training objectives by offering undergraduate, graduate, professional and higher-level specialty courses, as well as mentored research and clinical training opportunities.

Program Website

Prerequisite Information 

  • GRE –
  • International students –
  • GPA requirement = min 3.0*
  • In-state priority –
  •  Interviews – Virtual 
    * below 3.0 GPAs may be considered.
  • In-state: $34,360
  • Out-of-state: $65,566
  •  International: $65,566
  • Tuition reduction options –
  • On-campus work opportunities –
  • Match and/or Application Waivers –
  • Richmond, VA and outskirts
  • Flexible summer rotation opportunities –

The VCU MS Genetic Counseling program recognizes and embraces diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. We strive to provide an inclusive, safe, and equitable environment in which faculty and students are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to exploring actions to promote diversity in our community and to engaging in ongoing learning.

The MS in Genetic Counseling program at VCU is committed to promoting all aspects of diversity. Each year, a scholarship is awarded to a qualified applicant who identifies as underrepresented in the field of genetic counseling. This scholarship provides either:

  1. the equivalent of in-state tuition to a student who is not a resident of Virginia for the two years of their academic career at VCU or
  2. 50% reduction of in-state tuition to a student who is a resident of Virginia for the two academic years of their academic career at VCU. This cycle, the scholarship is open to those who identify as Black, LatinX, Native American, and Pacific Islander. Students can self-identify in a variety of ways, including the program application and/or email correspondence with Program leadership. Students who qualify for the diversity scholarship can use both tracks when ranking VCU via the National Matching Service.

For more information, please contact gradmail@vcu.edu.