Pre-Genetic Counseling
Start your journey to becoming a genetic counselor.
Take Prerequisites Courses.
University of Nebraska Lincoln offers the classes you need to apply for a genetic counseling program while earning your bachelor’s degree. See the list below for a brief overview of required prerequisite courses.
Get Experience.
Start building your shadowing and volunteer hours to be a more competitive genetic counseling school applicant. Don’t forget to keep track of your hours!
Talk to an Advisor Each Semester.
There’s a lot of coordination and planning that needs to happen to make sure you do everything you need before graduate school. The Explore Center’s advisors are here to help you navigate this journey. Meet with an advisor today to get a personalized 4-year pre-genetic counseling plan!
Pre-Genetic Counseling Roadmap at UNL
Genetic Counseling Prerequisite Classes
Depending on the school you plan to attend, you may need additional prerequisite courses. Meet with an advisor for more information.
Typical Genetic Counseling School Requirements
Biology – 2 semesters
Chemistry – 2 semesters
Organic Chemistry – 1-2 semesters
Biochemistry – 1 semester
Genetics – 1 semester
Molecular or Cell Biology – 1 semester
Statistics – 1 semester
Psychology – 1 semester
Advanced Genetics - 1 semester
What to Take at University of Nebraska Lincoln
Some classes require prerequisites. Meet with an advisor for help planning your courses.
Biology – LIFE 120/120L & LIFE 121/121L
Chemistry – CHEM 109A/L & 110A/L or 113A/L, 114, & 221
Organic Chemistry – CHEM 251/253 & 252/254 or 261/263 & 262/264
Biochemistry – BIOC 401 or 431
Genetics – BIOS 206 or AGRO 215
Molecular or Cell Biology – BIOS 302, 303, or 420
Statistics – CRIM 251, ECON 215, EDPS 459, PSYC 350, SOCI 205, SOCI 206, STAT 218, or STAT 380
Psychology – PSYC 181 or any upper level PSYC
Advanced Genetics - BIOS 418
The above coursework recommendations fulfill the entrance requirements for the Genetic Counseling program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Students who are considering other programs are encouraged to contact those schools directly for a list of entrance requirements.
Other Notes:
- AP/IB credit: AP/IB can be used toward one semester of the general biology and general chemistry requirements. AP/IB will not be accepted toward the genetics, biochemistry, statistics, or psychology requirements.
- Math: Chemistry may require math as a pre-requisite. See your pre-health advisor for math placement information.
- Genetics and psychology: often programs require you to complete these courses for applying. Contact schools for more information.
Extracurricular Involvement and Activities:
Pursuing a genetic counseling graduate degree requires more than just coursework. Your extracurricular activities, employment, and healthcare experiences like shadowing and volunteering will contribute greatly to your success in this field. Specifically, advocacy work or one-on-one work with people in a crisis situation will be good preparation. See a pre-health advisor in the Explore Center to plan extracurricular activities that will prepare you for this program.
Application and Admission
Application: Apply individually to each genetic counseling school
Entrance exam: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required at some schools. Visit ets.org/gre for more information. UNMC does not require the GRE.
National Match Service (NMS): Most programs use the National Match Service in conjunction with the program application. Students need to register for the NMS before applying to programs. More information can be found https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/.