Master of Science in Genetic Counseling

The Augustana-Sanford Genetic Counseling Graduate Program (ASGCGP) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The ASGCGP is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), Inc. 7918 Jones Branch Drive, Ste. 300, McLean, VA 22102. Telephone: (703) 506-7667.

Applications to the Augustana-Sanford Genetic Counseling Graduate Program (ASGCGP) are accepted fall through winter each year for admission to the program the following fall. Exact dates vary by year.

2024-25 Application Cycle

• Sept. 4 — Match registration for applicants opens
• Sept. 16 — ASGCGP application opens
• Dec. 18 — ASGCGP application deadline (11:59 p.m. CT)
• Dec. 20 — ASGCGP supporting materials deadline (5 p.m. CT)
• February - March — Interviews (Feb. 21, Feb. 28, March 7, March 21, March 28)
• April 8 — Last day to submit Match rankings
• April 16 — Match results released to applicants and programs

The ASGCGP application process consists of:

• Registering with the Genetic Counseling Admission Match through National Matching Services Inc. Registering with the Match costs $100, and limited fee waivers are available on the national level.
• Applying directly to the ASGCGP via Slate, which requires a bachelor’s degree with official transcripts, a resume/CV, personal statement, photograph and three references. GRE test scores are not required. Augustana students and alumni are exempt from paying the Slate $25 application fee.

For the 2026 application cycle and beyond, AU will require General or Human Genetics; Statistics; Biochemistry, Cell Biology or Molecular Biology. For the 2025 application cycle, the only required course is General or Human Genetics. However, the additional courses are strongly recommended. Volunteer or professional experience in an area that uses advocacy and communications skills is also recommended. A shadowing experience with a genetic counselor is suggested to gain exposure to the field prior to entering the program. Applicants must have completed or be on track to complete a bachelor's degree prior to entering the program.

• Application Checklist

Mission

The mission of the ASGCGP is to provide an education of enduring worth that cultivates wisdom and advances patient care by developing genetic counselors into astute communicators, scholarly professionals and engaged members of their communities.

The ASGCGP seeks to train well-rounded genetic counselors and give them a strong foundation in both genetic science and interpersonal communication skills.

ASGCGP graduates will:

• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Display strong scientific and empathetic foundations.
• Demonstrate the capacity to function as genetic counselors in fast-paced, real-world settings.
• Exhibit collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Produce meaningful graduate research projects.
• Understand and appreciate the far reach of genomics and the impact on personalized medicine, business and health equity.

Core Values

ASGCGP students have identified six core values central to the student experience in the program:

• A – Adaptability
• S – Service
• G – Growth
• C – Camaraderie
• G – Genuineness
• P – Professionalism

Commitment to Social Justice & Diversity

We, ASGCGP leaders, acknowledge the presence of systemic racism and commit to educating ourselves and our stakeholders regarding the inequities present in today's society. We also commit to working toward change and building an anti-racist culture within our program, with the intent that these efforts help remove barriers for prospective students, students, colleagues and patients. This is an ongoing effort that will continue to evolve and strengthen as we work to better understand the gaps and barriers that we have helped perpetuate.

As a whole, the Augustana University campus community is committed to diversity. In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, Augustana University seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience.

Students enter as part of a cohort that begins in the fall of each year. Students are selected for each cohort in the spring through the National Matching Services Inc. (NMS) Match prior to the start of the next academic year (e.g. selected Spring 2023 for Fall 2023 start date). Each cohort proceeds through courses together.

The program admits 10-12 students per cohort each academic year. The second-year location is determined through the Match process.

No, the program does not offer the option to study part time.

Students must be physically present for classes, rotations and other program activities.

The program is considered a second-year academic program, but technically takes 21 months to complete. The first academic year consists of fall, winter and spring sessions. The second academic year consists of summer, fall, winter and spring sessions. The attrition rate for the past three years is 6.6% (2 of 30 students).

As part of the Match process, applicants who were interviewed by the program will rank the tracks based on their preferences. If applicants are interested in all the tracks, they rank all three, ranking the track they prefer most first. If applicants are interested in only the Sioux Falls, San Diego, California, or Fargo, North Dakota, track, they rank only the track in which they are interested. Students can also choose to rank only two of the tracks in the order in which they are preferred and leave the third track off of their rank list.

When the Match results are released, applicants will find out if they matched to a program. If they matched with the ASGCGP, they will also find out which track they matched into. Applicants who are willing to match with any track are eligible for all open slots, whereas applicants who are willing to match with only one track are only eligible for the number of slots in that track. Although the tracks indicate where a student will spend their second year, all students spend their first year in Sioux Falls.

First-year students will have most of their classes in person together on the Augustana campus, with some classes being held in the Sanford Imagenetics building on the Sanford Medical Center campus less than one mile away.

Second-year students will attend classes synchronously from their campuses in Sioux Falls, San Diego, California, and Fargo, North Dakota. Students in all three locations are connected with each other through technology and frequent communication.

No, for most applicants, the program has found they are able to demonstrate their potential for academic success through GPAs alone. However, it recognizes that for some applicants, for a multitude of reasons, their GPAs may not be entirely reflective of their academic ability. 

If a student believes their GPA is not entirely reflective of their academic ability, the GRE may be helpful in demonstrating their academic potential to reviewers. The program welcomes the supplemental submission of GRE General Test scores.

Interviews are held virtually each year, via Zoom. Virtual interviews help keep travel costs low for interviewees while still providing a personal feel. The program strives to provide an informative and interactive experience in interviews.

The program will not pre-review application materials or provide feedback during an open admission cycle. The program will provide high-level written feedback on the applicant's most recent ASGCGP application if requested by the applicant between June 1 and Aug. 15. In addition, the program is willing to facilitate campus visits or virtual meetings to provide general information and advice to prospective applicants. The program will not pre-review application materials nor will it facilitate visits or meetings with applicants during or in relation to an open admission cycle.

The most up-to-date job outlook for genetic counselors can be found in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Ninety-four percent of program graduates have been employed as genetic counselors within three months of graduation, with a large majority employed prior to graduation.

For the three most recent graduating classes (2021-23), the ASGCGP has a 77% first-time pass rate on the American Board of Genetic Counseling’s Certification Examination.

Yes, applications are considered among all applications submitted during the same admission cycle.

Yes, both the Match and ASGCGP application fees must be paid each year and are non-refundable. The Match application registration fee is $100, and the ASGCGP Slate application fee is $25.

You will be asked in your current Slate application if you have applied to the program before. If you indicate that you have applied to the program before, you will not need to resubmit official transcripts, your WES Evaluation (international applicants only), GRE scores or TOEFL/IELTS scores (international applicants only) unless they have changed since you last submitted them and/or have become outdated. All other application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be resubmitted annually. If you do not want the program to use your previously submitted GRE scores because GRE scores are not required, you may indicate that on your current Slate application.

Yes, the program will review and seriously consider all international applications. International applicants who are offered an interview will do so via a video conferencing platform, as are domestic interviewees.

Graduates of the ASGCGP are eligible for the STEM-OPT visa extension. For more information on the extension, visit the USCIS website. 

The program does not offer any assistantships, fellowships or scholarships. However, students may be able to receive outside financial support from other organizations, such as hospitals or health systems. This type of financial support is handled directly and exclusively by the external organizations.

Classes are generally held during the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesday afternoons. Rotations, meetings and events occur during the day on Monday and Friday, and Wednesday mornings. Thus, any job you hold will need to be a night or weekend job. You will be notified in advance of any activities that will occur outside of the normal Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. time frame.

No, students will have a small break of approximately two weeks during the summer. Students will work out their summer schedule with program leaders and the supervisor for their rotation.

Housing is the responsibility of the student, regardless of where the student is assigned to rotations. There is limited housing on Augustana’s campus, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes, while you will have access to other computer resources, each student should have their own laptop.

Yes, in order to provide our students with rotation opportunities at affiliate institutions, students need to be up to date on routine vaccinations and have received all COVID-19 vaccinations. While in the program, a seasonal flu vaccine is also required each year. Communication with students and potential applicants is important. If you have concerns about your ability to comply with our vaccination policy, program leaders welcome any questions.