Accredited Genetic Counseling Programs in California

California has seven accredited genetic counseling programs, more than any other state. Each one is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), which is the credential that lets graduates sit for the national board exam and, after that, apply for a California license. The programs sit in both halves of the state and come in in-person, hybrid, and online formats.

The Seven Accredited Programs

Two programs are based in Northern California:

Five more are in Southern California:

  • UCLA, in person.
  • UC Irvine, hybrid.
  • Keck Graduate Institute, hybrid.
  • Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, hybrid, accredited as a new program.
  • Southern California University, fully online, accredited as a new program.

Charles R. Drew and Southern California University are the newest and carry the ACGC’s “new program” accreditation designation, which still qualifies graduates for the certification exam.3Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. Find A Program

What You Need to Apply

Admission is competitive. Most programs ask for a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and successful applicants usually sit well above that floor.4University of California, San Francisco. Admissions – Genetic Counseling Program Prerequisite coursework typically covers general biology, biochemistry, human genetics, statistics, and psychology.

Programs also want evidence that you understand the work itself. Shadowing a certified genetic counselor is the most direct way to show that, but it is not the only one. Informational interviews with practicing counselors, remote immersion programs, simulated counseling sessions, and case conferences or webinars run by genetics labs and regional genetics networks all count. Reviewers are looking for signs that you grasp the emotional weight of the job, not just the molecular biology.

Your application package will include a personal statement, a resume, and multiple letters of recommendation. If your undergraduate degree is from outside the United States, you will need a course-by-course transcript evaluation from a U.S.-based credential evaluation service, and that process is worth starting early.

How Admissions Decisions Happen

California programs fill their seats through the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match, which works much like the medical residency match. After interviews, applicants and programs each submit ranked preference lists, and an algorithm pairs them.5National Matching Services. Overview of the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match All offers and rejections go out at once on match day, so there is no rolling-admissions scramble. Qualified applicants consistently outnumber available seats, so applying broadly and ranking honestly tends to work better than trying to game the list.

Inside the Program

These are full-time degrees, generally 21 to 24 months. UCSF runs 21 months; Stanford spans two full years.2University of California, San Francisco. Genetic Counseling MS Classroom work in molecular genetics, embryology, medical ethics, and psychosocial counseling runs alongside clinical rotations in the major practice areas:

  • Prenatal clinics, counseling expectant parents on screening results, carrier status, and fetal diagnoses.
  • Pediatric genetics, working with families navigating a child’s diagnosis.
  • Cancer genetics, assessing hereditary risk and guiding testing decisions.
  • Specialty areas such as cardiology, neurology, and pharmacogenomics, depending on the program.

Most programs also require a thesis or capstone research project. Between the clinical hours and the coursework, programs generally expect students not to hold outside employment.

Passing the ABGC Exam

After graduation, the next step is the certification exam administered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), which earns you the Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC) credential.6American Board of Genetic Counseling. About the CGC Credential A master’s degree from an ACGC-accredited program is the primary qualification to sit for it; a separate pathway exists for internationally trained counselors who hold certification from a recognized international body.7American Board of Genetic Counseling. About ABGC Certification Eligibility Requirements

Exam windows open twice a year, in February and August.8American Board of Genetic Counseling. ABGC Certified Genetic Counselor Candidate Guide Most programs graduate students in the spring, so the August window is typically the earliest shot for new graduates.

Getting Licensed in California

California requires a state license, issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), to practice as a genetic counselor or use the title. This is a separate step from ABGC certification, and the state offers two routes depending on where you are in the process.

Full Licensure

Once you hold current ABGC certification, you can apply for a full genetic counselor license. The application requires the completed CDPH form, a copy of your current ABGC certification, and a Request for Live Scan Service form for a Department of Justice background check. The fee is $200, and the license is valid for three years.9Legal Information Institute. California Code of Regulations Title 17 Section 6301.1 – Genetic Counselor License Requirements

Temporary Licensure Between Graduation and the Exam

There can be months between graduation and the next available exam window, and California will not let you work under the genetic counselor title during that gap without a license. The temporary license fills it. You submit the same application and Live Scan forms, pay the same $200 fee, and provide documentation that you have been accepted to take the next available ABGC exam, or that you have finished a master’s degree from an accredited program and attest you will apply. The temporary license is good for two years and cannot be renewed or extended.10Legal Information Institute. California Code of Regulations Title 17 Section 6301.3 – Temporary Genetic Counselor License Requirements Once you receive your exam results, you must submit them to CDPH within 30 days.

Renewal

Renewing a full license costs $100 and requires documentation of continuing education as specified in state regulations.11Legal Information Institute. California Code of Regulations Title 17 Section 6301.5 – Requirements for Renewal of a Genetic Counselor License

What It Costs, What It Pays

Tuition varies widely. At Stanford, total tuition for students entering in fall 2026 is $109,269 before financial support, with anticipated out-of-pocket cost dropping to roughly $84,270 to $99,270 after program funding and scholarships.12Stanford Medicine. Frequently Asked Questions – Master’s Program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling UC programs generally run lower for California residents, though exact numbers depend on the campus and year. On top of tuition, plan for the Live Scan fingerprinting fee (typically $25 to $75), the $200 license application, and exam registration when you reach that stage. The National Society of Genetic Counselors offers student research and conference scholarships, and individual programs often have their own funding packages.

The payoff in California is unusually strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median salary for genetic counselors at $95,770, while the annual mean wage in California is $138,540, reflecting the state’s cost of living and heavy demand from academic medical centers and biotech firms in the Bay Area and Southern California.13Bureau of Labor Statistics. Genetic Counselors For graduates who stay in state, the math on tuition tends to work out.