Genetic Counseling

Accepting Applications for September 6, 2022
Application and all documents due by February 4, 2022

NOTE TO ALL APPLICANTS: BEFORE APPLYING TO BAY PATH UNIVERSITY'S MS IN GENETIC COUNSELING PROGRAM YOU MUST Register at Genetic Counseling Admissions Match - Click here to register. (Once you have registered for GC match you will receive a unique applicant code number. You must enter your applicant code number on to the application to the Bay Path University Genetic Counseling Program. The Bay Path University Program is identified by the 5 digit code number of 10310. Applicants must use this number when submitting their rank order list during the Match process.)

Prospective students may apply for admission to the MS in Genetic Counseling throughout the year. The Admissions Committee will review all application materials submitted by all applicants. A select sub-group of applicants will be contacted to participate in Zoom interviews with the Admissions Committee. Students are ranked for admission by the Genetic Counseling Program and are admitted based on the results of the national match.

Successful completion of the following courses (undergraduate or graduate level) or the equivalent:

• Biology with lab (2 semesters)
• Molecular and/or Cellular Biology (1 semester)
• Chemistry with lab (2 semesters)
• Biochemistry (1 semester)
• Organic Chemistry with lab (1 semester)
• Genetics (1 semester)
• Psychology (1 semester)
• Embryology (1 semester)
• Statistics (1 semester)

All prerequisite courses should be completed with a grade of B or higher. All prerequisite courses must show number of credits and grade on official transcript; no certificates will be accepted.

Shadowing of genetic counselors and experience in crisis counseling are desirable but not required. 

For consideration, applicants must submit the following admission requirements:

1. A completed application - Apply Now 
2. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from an accredited institution  (a GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred)
3. Please submit two short original essays on the following topics. Your essays should be no more than 3 typed pages, combined. Your submission must be sent as a separate Word attachment and MUST include your full name at the top of each page.
   A. Describe an experience where you were surprised by something you learned about someone, such as a genetic condition or a culture different from your own. How did you react? What might you do differently, if anything?
   B. Why would Bay Path University's Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program be a good fit for you in realizing your goal of becoming a genetic counselor?
4. Please submit a 2-3 minute video, using one of these resources: Vimeo or YouTube.  In the video please respond to the following two prompts.  Once complete, please submit a working video link to bdupuis@baypath.edu. 
   A. Pretend you're in an elevator or at a cocktail party and someone asks you what you are about to go to school for. You say, "I'm going to be a genetic counselor," and the person you're talking to says, "a what? What does a genetic counselor do?" Provide a concise answer to this question. 
   B. Tell us what you like to do in your spare time.
5. A current resume
6. Three recommendations - Click Here to download the form
7. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by phone or email. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom. Zoom links will be emailed to interviewees.

All documentation including recommendation forms and official transcripts may be mailed or emailed directly to Bay Path University Office of Graduate Admissions:

By Mail:
Bay Path University
Office of Graduate Admissions
588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106

By Email:
graduate@baypath.edu

International Students:

At this time, international students are not permitted to apply to Bay Path University's genetic counseling program.

U.S. citizens who have competed degrees from institutions abroad may apply. 

1. Bachelors degree equivalent to U.S. Bachelor’s degree with an evaluation by World Education Services (WES). Transcript evaluation fees are the responsibility of the applicant and evaluations must be sent directly.
2. English Second Language – TOEFL score of 90 int. – 233 computer – 550 paper

We do not enroll international students who have already completed a medical course of study in a foreign institution of higher education. Each applicant must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation.

Genetic Counseling Admissions Match
The Bay Path University MS in Genetic Counseling program participates in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS).  The GC Admissions Match has been established to enhance the process of placing applicants into positions in Master's-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. At the conclusion of all program interviews, both applicants and programs will submit ranked lists of preferred placements to NMS according to deadlines posted on the NMS website.  The binding results of the Match will be released to both applicants and programs simultaneously in late April.

Please visit the NMS website at (https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions) to register for the match, review detailed information about the matching process, and to view a demonstration of how the matching algorithm works.

Please visit the MS in Genetic Counseling program page to learn about curriculum, faculty, program options, and more!