Prospective Students

Application Requirements

Application submission for the MGC Program for Academic Year 2026 is now open.  Applications are due on January 5, 2026 by 12:00pm EST

To relieve the financial burden and accessibility challenges that travel presents, we will continue to conduct all 2026 cycle interviews virtually. We will continue to keep these interview experiences meaningful and interactive so that applicants are able to engage with students, faculty and staff from our institution.

Virtual Interview dates are as follows:

Friday, February 20, 2026
Monday, February 23, 2026
Friday, February 27, 2026
Monday, March 2, 2026
Friday, March 6, 2026

All Applicants MUST Submit the Following:

• Completed online application
• 3 recommendations from individuals who can speak to your academic and potential genetic counseling abilities - Your recommendations are managed by the online application; you will need the email addresses of your recommenders for this process. Please note: The recommenders will be provided a link by our application system to an online recommendation form that they will complete. “Letters” of recommendation are not required, only the completion of the online recommendation form.
• Application payment of $80.00 – Please note that applications will not be processed until payment is received.
  

  MDCGC Student Application Reimbursement Fund - The MDCGC Scholarship and Awards Subcommittee has created a fund to lessen this financial burden on applicants who are of minoritized backgrounds with the goals of helping to increase diversity and inclusion in genetic counseling training programs in Maryland and to foster a more equitable and just genetic counseling profession overall. These funds are dedicated to students of minoritized backgrounds (e.g., race, sexuality, gender, ability, etc.) for reimbursement of application fees for the genetic counseling training program in Maryland and reimbursement for the National Match Service (NMS) fee. Applicants may request reimbursement for both fees or for only program application fees. Reimbursement for the NMS fee only is not available to students not applying for a Maryland program. Applicants will be required to send a PDF of their application/fee receipts to ensure proper distribution of funds. Applications will not be considered complete until both this online application form and receipts are submitted. There is a limited amount of funding available to applicants; applications will be reviewed and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. If you have any questions, please email info@mdcgc.org.

  Student Application Fee Reimbursement Form

• Transcripts (unofficial) from all undergraduate institutions attended.
• Resume/CV
• (Optional) GRE scores (Institution code: 5848/Department code: 0210)
  • GRE scores must be sent directly to the MGC Program from the Educational Testing Service
  • GRE scores may be no older than five years prior to application
• Essay - The essay is an important part of your application. It is recommended that you write your essay using a word processing software, prior to copying it into the online application.
  In 1,000 words or less please address the prompt below:
  Tell us about your journey leading you to genetic counseling.  What unique strengths will you bring to the profession?
• The University of Maryland Genetic Counseling Program is participating in the Genetic Counseling Admissions Match through National Matching Services (NMS) beginning with admissions for Fall 2019.  The GC 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. 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. 

Professional Licensure Disclosure 

Graduates of the UMB School of Medicine Genetic Counseling program are eligible to take a national certification examination through the American Board of Genetic Counseling, a national accreditation agency. The University of Maryland School of Medicine Master’s in Genetic Counseling program satisfies the educational requirements for graduates to apply for the ABGC exam.

The UMB School of Medicine MGC Program has been determined sufficient to satisfy the state of Maryland professional licensing or certification educational requirements. The UMB School of Medicine has not made a determination as to the sufficiency of its program to professional licensing or certification requirements of any other  state or jurisdiction.  Each licensing authority sets and enforces its own professional licensing standards.  Every student should inquire directly to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction where the student plans to seek licensure in order to determine the mandatory requirements to be licensed to practice.  See American Board of Genetic Counseling for more information.

In-State and International Applicants

Maryland In-State Applicants

Applicants who wish to apply for Maryland In- State residency must complete the additional paperwork AFTER you have been accepted to our program.

• Application for in-state student classification
• Residency FAQs

All inquiries regarding Residency should be directed to the Office of the Registrar by calling 410-706-7480 or sending an email to residency@umaryland.edu.

International Applicants

Please visit the International Applicants page on the University of Maryland, Baltimore website for more information.

Submitting Application Supplemental Materials

All supplemental materials should be submitted through the online application system.