Best institutions to study Genetic Counseling/Counselor
A program that prepares individuals to counsel patients and families concerning inherited genetic disorders and diseases; assess risk factors and planning options associated with potential and actual inherited conditions; and serve as patient advocates and provide referral services in relation to private and public support services.
36 U.S. institutions graduated 402 Genetic Counseling/Counselor students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1509, a specialization of Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15), and leads most directly to the Genetic Counselors occupation (BLS SOC 29-9092).
About Genetic Counseling/Counselor programs
A program that prepares individuals to counsel patients and families concerning inherited genetic disorders and diseases; assess risk factors and planning options associated with potential and actual inherited conditions; and serve as patient advocates and provide referral services in relation to private and public support services. Includes instruction in clinical/medical genetics, methods of genetic testing, interviewing and counseling skills, genetic and support services delivery, principles of public health, medical ethics, law and regulations, patient advocacy, and professional standards.
See also: 51.0914 - Gene/Genetic Therapy., 26.0806 - Human/Medical Genetics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Genetic Counseling/Counselor program prepares individuals to support patients and families dealing with inherited genetic disorders and diseases. Students learn to assess risk factors, provide counseling, and advocate for patients while navigating available support services. This program is ideal for those interested in the intersection of healthcare, genetics, and patient advocacy.
Core coursework includes clinical genetics, genetic testing methods, counseling skills, and principles of public health. Students develop essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active listening, alongside knowledge in biology, psychology, and medical ethics.
Credentials awarded
What Genetic Counseling/Counselor graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree382 graduates / yr · 34 institutions95%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate19 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Genetic Counseling/Counselor completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 125 |
| 2013 | 130 |
| 2014 | 138 |
| 2015 | 140 |
| 2016 | 156 |
| 2017 | 147 |
| 2018 | 172 |
| 2019 | 193 |
| 2020 | 230 |
| 2021 | 288 |
| 2022 | 299 |
| 2023 | 361 |
| 2024 | 378 |
| 2025 | 402 |
Top 36 institutions for Genetic Counseling/Counselor, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 28 | 97% | $22,055 | $58,269 |
| 2 | Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 71% | $22,119 | — |
| 3 | MGH Institute of Health Professions Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Bay Path University Longmeadow, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 44% | $16,859 | — |
| 5 | Keck Graduate Institute Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 7 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 17 | 85% | — | — |
| 8 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 9 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublicMaster's | 14 | — | — | — |
| 10 | University of California - San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicMaster's | 13 | — | — | — |
| 11 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicMaster's | 13 | 60% | — | — |
| 12 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 13 | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | — | — | — |
| 14 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster's | 11 | 87% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster's | 11 | 85% | — | — |
| 16 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicMaster's | 11 | 63% | — | — |
| 17 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster's | 10 | 93% | — | — |
| 18 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 19 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 10 | — | — | — |
| 20 | Southern California University of Health Sciences Whittier, CAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 9 | 50% | $45,633 | — |
| 21 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 9 | 88% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicMaster's | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 24 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 25 | Kean University Union, NJPublicMaster's | 8 | 47% | — | — |
| 26 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 27 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 28 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster's | 7 | 83% | — | — |
| 29 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicMaster's | 7 | 58% | — | — |
| 30 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | — | — | — |
| 31 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster's | 6 | 46% | — | — |
| 32 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 33 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster's | 4 | 68% | — | — |
| 34 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 35 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster's | 1 | 68% | — | $37,992 |
| 36 | Lander University Greenwood, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 50% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.15) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 22 states
Where Genetic Counseling/Counselor graduates come from. Each state links to all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-9092, Genetic Counselors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Genetic Counseling program typically pursue careers as Genetic Counselors, with a median wage of $98,910. The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 9.3% and approximately 300 annual openings, requiring a Master's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1509
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Genetic Counselorsprimary SOC 29-9092 | $100,040 | +9.3% Much faster than average | ~300 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Genetic Counseling/Counselor programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
- Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
Tools and technology used
Other Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15).
- Mental Health Counseling/CIP 51.1508
Counselor 12,033 graduates / yr305 institutions - Substance Abuse/CIP 51.1501
Addiction Counseling 6,319 graduates / yr387 institutions - Marriage and Family Therapy/CIP 51.1505
Counseling 4,547 graduates / yr138 institutions - Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsCIP 51.15993,932 graduates / yr111 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.1503
Medical Social Work 3,398 graduates / yr53 institutions - Psychiatric/CIP 51.1502
Mental Health Services Technician 2,776 graduates / yr77 institutions - Community Health Services/CIP 51.1504
Liaison/ Counseling 2,189 graduates / yr102 institutions - Clinical Pastoral Counseling/CIP 51.1506
Patient Counseling 217 graduates / yr18 institutions - Trauma CounselingCIP 51.1513214 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Psychoanalysis and PsychotherapyCIP 51.1507limited data10 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Medical Family Therapy/CIP 51.1511
Therapist limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hospice and Palliative CareCIP 51.1512limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Infant/
Toddler Mental Health Services51.1510
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need to become a Genetic Counselor?+
A Master's degree is typically required.
What skills are important for success in this field?+
Key skills include active listening, critical thinking, and strong communication.
What is the job outlook for Genetic Counselors?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.3%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 36 colleges offering the Genetic Counseling program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Genetic Counseling/Counselor?+
Genetic Counseling/Counselor is CIP 51.1509 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to counsel patients and families concerning inherited genetic disorders and diseases; assess risk factors and planning options associated with potential and actual inherited conditions; and serve as patient advocates and provide referral services in relation to private and public support services. Includes instruction in clinical/medical genetics, methods of genetic testing, interviewing and counseling skills, genetic and support services delivery, principles of public health, medical ethics, law and regulations, patient advocacy, and professional standards.
How many institutions offer Genetic Counseling/Counselor programs?+
36 U.S. institutions reported Genetic Counseling/Counselor graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states, awarding 402 credentials in the year. That is 1.1% of all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Genetic Counseling/Counselor graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Genetic Counselors occupation, which Genetic Counseling/Counselor most directly leads to, pays a median of $100,040 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $58,269 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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