Program Description
The Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Genetic Counselling (Non-Thesis) offered by the Department of Human Genetics in the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences is a course-based program that emphasizes career-focused and rewarding learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in information synthesis, data analysis, and communication to pursue professional opportunities (or potentially continue their studies).
Keywords: genetic counselling, medical genetics, patient-education, genomic medicine, psychology, ethics, healthcare, consent, informed decision-making.
Unique Program Features
- Through the program students will acquire competence and experience in the principles of human genetics, including cytogenetics, biochemical, molecular, and population genetics; methods of interviewing and counselling, and the dynamics of human behaviour in relation to genetic disease; and social, legal, and ethical issues in genetics;
- Students are typically guaranteed financial support;
- The program's curriculum includes a variety of required courses in human genetics and other departments, and 40 weeks of supervised clinical training spread over four semesters;
- Department Faculty members typically have positions in McGill's teaching hospitals, reflecting that medically learned knowledge is at the core of human genetic studies. Their research interests include cancer genetics, cytogenetics, reproductive biology, neurogenetics, genomic and genetic basis of human diseases;
- Graduates will be eligible to sit for both the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and the American Board of Genetic Counselling certification examinations.
University-Level Admission Requirements
- An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
- English-language proficiency
Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.
Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.
Program Website
MSc in Genetic Counselling website
Department Contact
Graduate Program dept.humangenetics [at] mcgill.ca (subject: MSc%20in%20Genetic%20Counselling) (email)
Available Intakes
Fall
Application Deadlines
| Intake | Applications Open | Application Deadline - International | Application Deadline - Domestic (Canadian, Permanent Resident of Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | September 15 | January 1 | January 1 |
| WINTER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SUMMER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.