To get more information on the field, such as perspective job outlook and pay over the next 10 years go to the bureau of labor statics website. Someone suggested individuals interested in the field should look to get a PhD. However, there is no PhD in genetic counseling, only genetics, thus you would have a great deal of knowledge on only one part of the position. This suggestion is as fool hardy as suggesting a physician's assistant getting an MD. He would be unnecessarily over qualified. The best school for genetics counseling is Sarah Lawrence, this school was the first in the US and sets the paradigm for the other programs. The general requirements are general biology, general chemistry, two years psychology, bio chemistry, Mendelian genetics, statics, and molecular cell biology. Additional resources are http://med.stanford.edu/genetic-counseling/admissions.html , http://www.slc.edu/human-genetics/index.php , http://www.cgm.northwestern.edu/cgm/Academics/Graduate-Program-in-Genetic-Counseling/Prospective-Students/Admissions/Requirements , and http://www.gs.howard.edu/gradprograms/genhum.htm#degree. Most requirements, which tend to vary by school are covered by a major in biology. Genetics counselors are also required to be pro-choice. This is my intended career choice and I am majoring in biology, taking as many genetics-related courses as possible, taking three psychology courses; intro, personality and abnormal, shadowing genetics counselors, and even going in for genetic testing myself. NYU Langone, and likely other hospitals, offer costless (although not technically free) genetic testing for college students with insurance. This could be a "free" way to understand the impact of these health care professionals on patients. I hope this clears up any questions or concerns. If you would like you can question further.
Alannie
of NY
@
Jun 20, 2009 01:19:05 AM
will we need
will we need genetic couselors 5 years from now??...i need this for a project...what is the outlook??
please reply qiuckly
angelic scott
of GA
@
Jun 16, 2009 09:34:44 AM
Eugenics Counselor
What z bunch of baloney
Sterling Norris
of KY
@
Jun 13, 2009 16:17:03 PM
Could CG role become Obsolete?
with the rise of personalized medicine and companies such as Navigenics and 23andMe, is there concern that the role of a Genetic Counselor could become obsolete?
I find the payscale very disappointing, especially given the general lack of knowledge out there from the general physician population and the significant burden and role a GC ends up having to play vs. the physician in interpreting and guiding patients based on their genetic test results....
Certainly an adjustment in pay seems appropriate....
Laura
of CA
@
May 20, 2009 19:55:45 PM
The Great Rift
Being a genetic counselar would be rough but besides telling people hat they have a 90 percent chance of getteing cancer it would be an ok job
Troy Schiess
of NY
@
May 11, 2009 14:21:16 PM
hi
this job is very cool please send me some information about this career i really want to learn about this job i think that this a really fun job i will learn something about this great a portunity please send me some information
jessica arroyo
of WA
@
Apr 21, 2009 13:25:58 PM
Genetics Counselors
The demand for genetics counselors is increasing so the pay will increase, as well.
You'll get more income depending on what location you work at, what type of place you work for and what kind of degree you have or the amount of experience under your belt.
I got an idea of what the 2009 pay is like depending on the circumstances by googling it, though so if you're wondering do it that way.
What I am curious about is how one would find out the increase in income over the years from 10 years ago to recent years. Or something to that effect.
Most counselors have their MS, so it'd be smart to watch how and were the biggest rises are AND to get your Ph.D in the field. That way your opportunities are fully open, and you could be the one setting standards and pushing the industry forward and higher.
Jess
of NJ
@
Apr 18, 2009 19:53:19 PM
On Genetic Counseling as a career
As a senior in high school myself, I have been interested with genetics and the genetic counselor career when I learned about it is biology class.
Being a genetic counselor allows for you to interact with patients and also do some reasearch and problem solving. It's not about the amount paid, it's what makes you happy. If you are happy with your job, it is like you never worked a day in your life.
With that being said, anyone entering into their career should think about being happy.
I have had the opportunity to shadow a genetic counselor, and I love it. Being able to help soon-to-be parents or couples who want children is very rewarding.
Each day brings new challenges, with not every case being the same.
LA
of CA
@
Apr 14, 2009 00:36:20 AM
genetic counseling
Genetic counseling requires a masters degree and also to be board certified. one needs to be good in science and arts .
Pay does matter and pay increase also psycologically leads to earning more respect for the profession. It is all in perception.
MI
of NV
@
Apr 09, 2009 13:11:54 PM
Training/ School information
I would like to know more about training /school information where can i get the Genetic Counselor.
Elizabeth K. Collins
of NJ
@
Mar 11, 2009 10:33:19 AM
Alannie of NY @ Jun 20, 2009 01:19:05 AM
angelic scott of GA @ Jun 16, 2009 09:34:44 AM
Sterling Norris of KY @ Jun 13, 2009 16:17:03 PM
Laura of CA @ May 20, 2009 19:55:45 PM
Troy Schiess of NY @ May 11, 2009 14:21:16 PM
jessica arroyo of WA @ Apr 21, 2009 13:25:58 PM
Jess of NJ @ Apr 18, 2009 19:53:19 PM
LA of CA @ Apr 14, 2009 00:36:20 AM
MI of NV @ Apr 09, 2009 13:11:54 PM
Elizabeth K. Collins of NJ @ Mar 11, 2009 10:33:19 AM
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