The Stanford MS Program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling began in 2008 and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). This exciting translational two-year program is located in a world renowned Genetics department and a top 10 medical school alongside two nationally ranked hospitals in one of the most beautiful and culturally diverse areas of the country. This all-in-one campus allows students to learn from a range of academic and clinical experts and thought leaders.
Our faculty utilize state-of-the-art testing laboratories, research facilities, and genomics resources to train students to work with patients and clients in a wide range of settings and from multicultural backgrounds. The curriculum provides a balance of cutting-edge genomics technology with strong psychosocial counseling techniques and research training. We emphasize critical thinking skills that will be increasingly needed as genetics and genomics is translated into new professional settings. All aspects of the training are tailored so that content is clinically applicable from the start.
We envision an inclusive genetic counseling community that leads with innovation and excellence in healthcare.
Our mission is to deliver dynamic and translational genetic counseling education through a combination of coursework, fieldwork, research, and personalized mentoring.
The values we aim to cultivate in ourselves, our students, and our environment are active engagement, personal agency, self-reflection, diversity of perspective and lived experience, adaptive learning, and community.
Program Goals:
- Deliver high-quality, up-to-date instruction on the core concepts related to genetic counseling.
- Provide a diverse array of fieldwork placements that enable students to develop clinical and non-clinical skills to prepare them for current and emerging job markets.
- Provide a robust research experience that allows students to expand personal interests while conducting rigorous research to contribute knowledge to the field.
- Empower students to tailor their training to meet their own personal and professional goals.
- Recruit and retain program leaders, instructional faculty, and supervisors with broad expertise and backgrounds, as well as strong educational and mentoring skills.
Student Goals:
- Knowledge: Graduates of the SUGCP will achieve advanced knowledge in genetics, genomics, and psychosocial counseling for use in evidence based practice.
- Critical thinking and practice: Graduates of the SUGCP will be able to practice genetic counseling in a variety of settings, demonstrating clinical judgment, insight, flexibility, resourcefulness and accountability.
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Graduates of the SUGCP will treat their patients, colleagues, and community with respect, empathy, cultural humility, and compassion, and they will demonstrate strong communication skills.
- Research and Scholarship: Graduates of the SUGCP will be able to evaluate and synthesize information, produce rigorous, relevant research, and participate in disseminating scholarly knowledge across healthcare stakeholders.
- Professional Development, Collaboration, and Service: Graduates of the SUGCP will develop proficiency in inter- and intra-disciplinary teamwork, reflective practice, goal-setting, and professional ethics, and they will promote the field of genetic counseling through clinical care, teaching, research, advocacy, and mentorship.
To receive a Master of Science degree in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Stanford University, students must successfully complete the following:
- 84 units, including all of the required coursework (minimum grades of B- or better, Satisfactory, or Credit). Please refer to our Education page for details.
- Approximately six quarters of rotations and independent study projects in diverse settings
- All required aspects of the Graduate Student Research Project
- All required aspects of the Service and Outreach Requirement
- Formal presentations in Medical Genetics Grand Rounds and Human Genetics Journal Club
Students' educational experience is supplemented through:
- Human Genetics Journal Club - monthly presentations from small groups of trainees and faculty in the Division of Medical Genetics focused on assessing complex literature and engaging in team science
- Genetics Department Retreat - typically a 2-3 day department-wide event in Monterey focused on cutting-edge science and community building
- Current Issues in Genetics - weekly presentations by trainees and faculty in the Department of Genetics
- Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics Seminars - weekly talks examining issues at the juncture of medicine, law, and ethics
- Work-study position with a genetics service at Stanford - opportunity for students to receive tuition support while learning hands-on, behind-the-scenes skills used by practicing genetic counselors
- Local, regional, and/or national genetics meetings
- Other relevant Stanford events
2024 Prospective Applicant Webinar
Our co-directors hosted our annual webinar for prospective applicants on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The recording is available here: https://tinyurl.com/4mnr8a7e
Application deadline for Fall 2025 admission: December 3, 2024
Genetic Counseling Student Interest Group @ Stanford
SUGC News and Events
If you're looking for ways to support the Stanford GC community on Giving Tuesday 2024, consider donating to the SGC DEI Fund (https://tinyurl.com/SGCDEIfund) or to the Kelly Ormond Research Award (https://tinyurl.com/KOresearchaward)
No donation is considered too small!
Join us in congratulating Kerry Kingham, Clinical Assistant Professor and Lead Genetic Counselor at the Stanford Cancer Center, for receiving the 2024 Thomas A. Gonda Award for Leadership!
Congratulations to Aarin Williams (2010 cohort)! We're excited for your upcoming role as one of NSGC's directors-at-large.
Big congraluations to Daniela Diaz Caro (2019 cohort) for receiving the 2024 NSGC Leader in Diversity and Inclusion Award!
Congratulations to Josh Keyes (2017 cohort) and Lily Hoffman-Andrews (2016 cohort) for receiving the 2024 GCEA Outstanding Supervisor Award at their respective institutions.
We are so proud of Kim Zayhowski (2016 cohort) for receiving the 2024 JEMF full member award!
Hannah Llorin (2019 cohort) is now the executive editor of Perspectives. Congratulations, Hannah!
Stanford University's Master’s in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), located at 4400 College Blvd., Ste. 220, Overland Park, KS 66211, web address www.gceducation.org. ACGC can be reached by phone at 913.222.8668.