Northwestern University : Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University : Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (Complete your COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program in as few as 21 months. No GRE required.)
Walden University : MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited) Walden University : MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)
Grand Canyon University : Master's Degree in Counseling (As a private university, GCU has the same in-state and out-of-state tuition.)
Liberty University : MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) (Online with required intensives)
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) : Master of Science (MS) in Counseling (100% Online, No GRE Required)
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) : Online Psychology Degrees (Bachelors and Masters. Flexible. Affordable. And achievable.)
The Chicago School : M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online Programs. CACREP Accredited.)Consider the most common types of genetic counselor programs online: Bachelor's holders can prepare to become licensed professional counselors online. With no GRE scores required to apply, the 24-month online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, for example, can help advance your career.
About Online Genetic Counseling Programs
Genetic counseling is a growing field, offering relevant support services to people of all ages. For students interested in this area of study, several colleges in the United States offer accredited online genetic counseling programs. These may help you pursue your goals in an accessible virtual setting. Online genetic counseling programs also offer flexible hours for adults who work, have busy lives or families.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Learn MoreFull-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available |
| Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
The COAMFTE-accredited MFT@Northwestern is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. Learn More |
| Walden University
MS in School Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required |
School counselors help students overcome obstacles and shape successful futures. Walden’s online MS in School Counseling program will give you a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices while enabling you to gain hands-on experience. Learn More |
| Walden University
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required |
Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Learn More |
| Grand Canyon University
Master's Degree in Counseling
HLC and NASAC Accredited |
✔ Online
|
Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's degree emphases include: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders, Christian Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Trauma. Designed to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. As a private university, GCU has the same in-state and out-of-state tuition. Learn More |
| Liberty University
MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Online with required intensives |
Our CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling degree online can help you become an ethical, well-trained mental health counselor with the knowledge, values, and skills you need to empower others to make positive changes in their lives. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More |
| Mid-America Christian University (MACU)
Master of Science (MS) in Counseling
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
✔ Online
100% Online |
Expand your impact with an online counseling degree rooted in faith-based practice. Mid-America Christian University offers the largest Master of Science (MS) in Counseling program in Oklahoma, with emphasis areas in addiction and substance abuse, applied behavioral science, clinical mental health counseling, and marriage and family therapy. Explore the online MS in Counseling at MACU. Learn More |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Online Psychology Degrees
Bachelors and Masters NECHE Accredited |
✔ Online
No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required |
With our unique programs - from child and adolescent development to forensic psychology - you'll be prepared for a wide variety of careers in case management, research, human resources, youth services and social services. Learn More |
| The Chicago School
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's Degree Required. |
This online CMHC program prepares students for a career offering mental health services in a variety of settings; helping diverse clients through issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, stress, relationship difficulties, and suicidal impulses. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
What Does a Genetic Counselor Do?
Genetic counselors can provide expert guidance and emotional support to patients who are diagnosed with genetic disorders. As a genetic counselor, you may have the opportunity to work with pregnant women whose babies have been diagnosed with diseases, children and adults recently diagnosed with hereditary diseases, or in a research setting studying DNA and genetic disorders.
Genetic counselors fill different roles on a day-to-day basis depending on their job settings and client base. A typical work day could include counseling and supporting patients and clients with genetic disorders, working with families that have a history of hereditary diseases, advising patients on lab and testing procedures and results, or care planning for pregnant women. Genetic counseling combines elements of medicine and counseling and can be a good fit for those interested in both fields of study.
Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)
Walden University - MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Walden University - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)
Liberty University - MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited) (CACREP Accredited)
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) - Master of Science (MS) in Counseling (Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accredited)
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) - Online Psychology Degrees (NECHE Accredited)
The Chicago School - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Degree Levels Available in Genetic Counseling
The field of genetic counseling is an expanding one, which means you may have more higher education opportunities to choose from. Interested students must first earn an undergraduate degree, and then enter a master’s in genetic counseling online program, earning the minimum requirements for licensure in this field.
View ACGC-accredited genetic counseling programs.
A graduate degree in genetic counseling and an internship or fieldwork can help prepare you for licensure. The information below outlines some of the genetic counselor programs online. Students should consider what program best works for their schedule and future professional plans.
- Certificate Programs: After earning a bachelor’s degree, but before pursuing a master’s or doctorate, students can pursue certifications that prepare them to apply to graduate school and obtain the experience to advance their degree. Certificate programs do not replace master’s degrees, but they may better prepare students to continue their education in the field.
- Master’s Programs: A master’s is the required degree for potential genetic counselors to be eligible for licensure. Higher education programs specializing in genetic counseling sometimes require 2-3 years of graduate school after completing a bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of your program, some colleges require you to complete fieldwork or an internship to gain hands-on experience in your career field.
- Doctoral Programs: Upon completion of a master’s in genetic counseling or a closely related field, students have the option to enroll in an online or in-person doctoral program. Pursuing a doctoral program can help professionals who want to focus on research and development in genetic counseling, advance their careers, and deepen their knowledge in specified subjects.
Master’s in Genetic Counseling Online Programs
Many colleges offer a master’s-level genetic counseling degree online. Below are some featured online programs that are currently accepting applications for new students.
- Boise State University – Online Master of Genetic Counseling: Boise State’s online Master of Genetic Counseling program is a flexible option for students interested in a specialized program that can prepare them for licensure. This 56-credit-hour program can train you to begin working with clients in a hospital setting, prepare you for counseling roles in a doctor’s office, or help you enter the research field in a lab setting.
- Bay Path University – Online Master of Science in Genetic Counseling: Bay Path University currently offers an interactive online Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program that can provide educational training on the latest trends in this specialized field. This 59-credit-hour program can typically be completed in 21 months for students attending full time.
Sample Courses for the Genetic Counseling Programs Online
Students who are interested in genetic counseling programs online can look at the list below to get a sample of the available coursework. The courses offered in these degree programs were developed to prepare and inform students about genetics, hereditary diseases, and counseling methods to assist patients and clients. While completing a bachelor’s degree can give you baseline knowledge of genetic disorders, graduate courses may better prepare you for more involved professional roles.
This list features some of the graduate-level courses offering specific knowledge that you may be able to take during a genetic counselor program online.
- Foundations of Genetics: This course teaches a knowledge of molecular and cellular genetics; epigenetics; and the difference in DNA, RNA, and protein. It will deliver contextual education by examining real-life case studies. Human variations and disease susceptibility will be studied as well as how to calculate risk probability using the latest methods in the field.
- Pathophysiology: This course covers how genetic disorders are identified and how to teach patients to cope with them. It will also offer information on the latest techniques for identifying signs and symptoms of hereditary diseases. Diagnosis and treatments, the lifespan of diseases, and how they affect body systems are some areas that may be covered in this course.
- Developmental Anatomy and Embryology: Students enrolled in this course will be offered information on human embryology. The focus will concentrate on pre/postnatal diagnoses as well as the differences in normal versus abnormal human development. In this course, you may learn more about the origins of genetic diseases and how to diagnose them.
Path to a Career in Genetic Counseling
If you already have a bachelor's degree, there are numerous master’s in genetic counseling online programs you may be able to choose from. If you have not started a bachelor's degree and are interested in genetic counseling, many undergraduate degrees can prepare you for graduate school, such as a bachelor's in psychology, sociology, genetics, and biology. Upon earning a master's degree in genetic counseling, you can take the licensure exam to practice as a genetic counselor.
To work directly with clients in the field, The American Board of Genetic Counseling (AGBC) requires licensure in your practicing state. To apply for licensure, most states require that you hold at least a master's degree in genetic counseling. Passing a licensing examination ensures you have the knowledge to safely practice in a public health capacity.
Genetic Counseling Organizations to Know
The AGBC provides guidance regarding each state’s licensure exam for students who have completed their genetic counseling degree online. Professionals can also stay up to date on the latest techniques by joining organizations that specialize in their field of expertise. The National Society of Genetic Counseling also offers support to genetic counseling professionals as well as opportunities to interact with other professionals in the field and learn more about the latest developments in genetic counseling.
Careers to Consider
Genetic counseling can be a highly rewarding field. It is also rapidly growing in the U.S. due to many factors, including innovative studies in genetics. With a joint emphasis on both medicine and mental health, careers in genetic counseling can be varied. Below are a few of the settings in which genetic counselors may work.
Genetic Counselor Career Information
As you consider a career in genetic counseling, it is only natural to wonder about salary and job outlook. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for genetic counselors is $85,700. The field is growing at a pace of 21% annually, representing very high job growth. (The average rate for all professions is between 3% and 4%.)
Explore Genetic Counselor Programs Online
As you explore your career options, keep in mind that the right education could provide you with the skills and core competencies to build distinctive professional success. Learn more about genetic counselor programs online to discover which one is the best fit for you.
Sources:
American Board of Genetic Counseling, Home Page
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Genetic Counseling
National Society for Genetic Counselors, “Becoming a Genetic Counselor”
National Society for Genetic Counselors, Home Page
List of Programs
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Walden University 🗹 Online Masters
Walden University 🗹 Online Masters
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) 🗹 Online
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters 🗗 Bachelors
The Chicago School 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of Denver 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Lamar University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Colorado Christian University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Colorado Christian University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Rivier University 🗹 Online
University of New Haven 🗹 Online
East Central University 🗹 Online 🗖 Bachelors
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗖 Bachelors 🗗 Masters
