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Application Process

*All Steps 1-4 must be completed by 11:59PM MST on December 15th.

An MSGC Application Guidebook is available for download with more details.

Step 1 – Register with National Match System (NMS):

The Genetic Counseling Admissions Match has been established to enhance the process of placing applicants into positions in masters-level genetic counseling programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). The Match uses a process that takes into account both applicants’ and programs’ preferences. All applicants must first register for the Match with NMS before applying to participating genetic counseling graduate programs. Per NMS rules registered programs may only consider applications from applicants that have registered to participate in the Match.

    • Pay the non-refundable $100 registration fee.
    • You will need to include your NMS Match number on the Verification of Commitment form in the MSGC Program Application
    • For ranking after interviews, submit NMS Application Boise State code number 14711.  *

*Please note, we do not contact applicants to let them know we are ranking them.  If you have interviewed with us, but do not hear from us regarding ranking, it does not mean we are not interested in you or will not be ranking you.

Step 2 – Apply to Boise State University:

  • Complete Boise State Graduate Admissions Application. On the Degree Path page within the application, select the appropriate program from the dropdown list:
    • Genetic Counseling Online Program, pay the non-refundable $65 Graduate Admission Application fee online.
  • Submit official transcript(s) from all previous colleges and universities you attended. Please note: All transcripts must be RECEIVED by Graduate Admissions and Degree Services by the above application deadline.
  • Submit the names of only two (2) individuals to serve as references. These should be from individuals who can evaluate your potential for academic success in a graduate program including academic accomplishments, work ethic, and inclusion of others and ideas. It is preferred that one (1) reference is from an academic source and one (1) from a professional source, although two professional sources are acceptable especially for those who are several years removed from school. References from relatives, friends or colleagues will not be accepted. Your references can expect to receive an email to complete a web-based reference form (or, alternatively, they can upload a letter of reference if they have written one). Do not use third parties to submit your references or mail hard copy letters. *Please note – if your GPA is lower than 3.0, you must submit two (2) additional references.

*All Steps 1-4 must be completed by 11:59PM MST on December 15th, including the submission of the reference letters.  Please request them early to ensure they are submitted on time.

  • Due to U.S. Homeland Security regulations and our online program structure, we are regretfully unable to provide F-1 student visa paperwork to international students for this degree program. International students who are currently residing in the US on a visa other than an F-1 visa should check to see if their current visa allows for participation in our program. Please note that international students cannot participate in our program on a tourist visa.

Step 3 – Apply to the MSGC Online Program:

After submitting the graduate admission application (Step 2), you will complete the Genetic Counseling program application. You can access the program application by logging into your application account, clicking “View Application” and selecting the “Genetic Counseling Online Program” link in the left menu. The program application includes the following elements:

1. Genetic Counseling Online Program Fee

Pay the non-refundable $20 application fee via Transact. You will need to submit the Reference Number from your TouchNet receipt on the Verification of Commitment form.

2. Personal Statement

Your personal statement helps the admissions committee understand what you personally will contribute to the Master of Genetic Counseling program and the field of genetic counseling. Each applicant is unique and the Admissions Committee uses your personal statement as a way to get to know you as an individual. The Committee is interested in learning about your personal, academic, and professional/volunteer experiences and how those have prepared you to be successful as a graduate student and a professional genetic counselor as well as getting a sense of your personality and what perspectives and skills you will bring to our community.

The personal statement should be no more than four (4) single-spaced pages with 1-inch margins on all sides and your name in the header of each page. Each section should be at most 1 page. It should reflect your best professional writing. We strongly encourage you to have someone who knows you well read your essay to look for grammar and spelling errors and to make sure that the essay expresses your unique story.

** We recognize that AI may be a resource used by some applicants to gather ideas on how to properly answer the prompts in your personal essay. Admissions materials creative by generative AI should not be submitted without significant editing from the applicant.  We want to see your communication, your thoughts, understand your reasoning, and hear your voice.

If you used a generative AI tool to help prepare your application in some way, please briefly describe how you used that tool.**

Your personal statement must include these headings and follow this format:

Life Experience, Education, and Volunteer Experience: Describe how your personal life experiences, formal education, and/or volunteer work have contributed to your decision to seek admission to the graduate genetic counseling program and selecting genetic counseling as a career (This should be about your experiences).

Genetic Counseling: Reflect on your perception of the role of a genetic counselor and why you would be a good addition to the field of genetic counseling (This should be about how your skills, qualities, and passions are a good fit for genetic counseling).

Code of Ethics: Discuss how your training, experiences, and interactions with a wide range of people informs your ability to provide accurate, fact-based genetic counseling services that respects all clients and is free of coercion.

Personal Strengths: Describe how your strengths will contribute to your success in graduate genetic counseling education. Because of the online nature of the program it will be important to highlight cooperative work as well as examples of self-directed learning.

3. Current CV/Resume

Your CV/resume must include any paid or unpaid genetic counseling, research, advocacy, and leadership experience – including volunteering – shown in chronological order, with the most recent activity listed first. We recommend you compose your resume as if you are applying for a position in genetic counseling.

List each paid or unpaid genetic counseling, research, advocacy, and leadership experiences in the following format:

  • Agency/Company name
  • City and State where Agency/Company is located
  • Start and End dates (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • Position title
  • Major responsibilities of this position

Please also incorporate all prerequisite coursework and any additional relevant coursework in the following format:

  • Course title
  • University
  • Start and End dates (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • Credit hours
  • Grade

4. Verification-of-Commitment

In the online application, we ask for a confirmation that you:

  • understand the model for fieldwork rotations and are able to commit to the format as described AND
  • pledge the minimum of 30 hours per week required dedicated time to the program

Include the Reference Number from your TouchNet receipt to confirm payment of the MSGC Program Application fee. Applications without this information will be considered incomplete.

NOTE: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students have access to their education record, including letters of recommendation. However, students may waive their right to see letters of evaluation, in which case the letters will be held in confidence. In the application, you will be asked if you wish to waive this right, and your decision will be communicated to the references.

Interview:

All interviews are conducted virtually so no travel to Boise State is required. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by phone and email to be scheduled for a half-day of interviews. Prior to the interview day you will be asked to submit a 5 minute video introduction that will be reviewed by the admissions committee. During the scheduled interviews you will be meeting with program leadership, admissions committee members, and participate in a group interview with other candidates. The interview process is designed for you to demonstrate your skills, personality, aptitude as well as additional character qualities that will inform selection for the genetic counseling program.