Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Prenatal genetic counselor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a prenatal genetic counselor. Prenatal genetic counselors usually study social work, biology, or specialized sales and merchandising. 57% of prenatal genetic counselors hold a bachelor's degree, and 39% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 28 real prenatal genetic counselor resumes to see exactly what prenatal genetic counselor education sections show.
The most common colleges for prenatal genetic counselors are the University of Denver and the University of Denver.
There are also many online prenatal genetic counselor courses to help get the education required to be a prenatal genetic counselor.
What education do you need to become a prenatal genetic counselor?
What degree do you need to be a prenatal genetic counselor?
- Bachelor's, 57%
- Master's, 39%
- Associate, 4%
What should I major in to become a prenatal genetic counselor?
- Social Work, 16%
- Biology, 8%
- Psychology, 8%
- Other Majors, 60%
Most common colleges for prenatal genetic counselors
| Prenatal genetic counselor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Denver | 10.53% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 5.26% |
| Holy Names University | 5.26% |
| New York University | 5.26% |
| University of Vermont | 5.26% |
Best majors for prenatal genetic counselors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Work | 16.0% |
| 2 | Biology | 8.0% |
| 3 | Specialized Sales And Merchandising | 8.0% |
| 4 | Psychology | 8.0% |
| 5 | School Counseling | 8.0% |
Best colleges for prenatal genetic counselors
The best colleges for prenatal genetic counselors are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Southern California.
A prenatal genetic counselor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for prenatal genetic counselors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become prenatal genetic counselors.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
4. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
7. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
20 best online courses for prenatal genetic counselors
Advertising disclosure
1. National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials
NASM's Nutrition Coaching Essentials enables you to provide evidence-based guidance to those seeking to improve body composition, athletic performance, and health. By successfully completing this program, you will have the knowledge and abilities to leverage nutrition education to increase your client's success, reduce turnover, and maximize adherence. Held to the highest standard of research-based theory and practice, the Nutrition Essentials program teaches you how to provide nutritional...
2. Child Nutrition and Cooking
Eating patterns that begin in childhood affect health and well-being across the lifespan. The culture of eating has changed significantly in recent decades, especially in parts of the world where processed foods dominate our dietary intake. This course examines contemporary child nutrition and the impact of the individual decisions made by each family. The health risks associated with obesity in childhood are also discussed. Participants will learn what constitutes a healthy diet for children...
3. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...
4. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification
Become a Vegan Nutrition Certified Health Coach, Learn Vegan Cooking, Embrace a Holistic Approach to Food...
5. Breastfeeding and Adequate Substitutes
Ensuring adequate nutrition is essential for infants to reach their full potential, as early-life nutritional imbalances and deficiencies may result in detrimental and often irreversible adverse health consequences. "Breastfeeding and Adequate Substitutes" focuses on the important aspects of human milk composition, human lactation, breastfeeding practices, and the use of breastmilk substitutes. In addition to the theoretical and practical aspects of infant nutrition, we also provide the latest...
6. Nutrition Hot Topics and Controversies
Within the ever-changing nutrition landscape, it becomes difficult to understand current trending topics. Without a doubt, your friends and neighbors will have questions regarding these nutrition hot topics. Most people want to know what to believe or discard from what they hear, but they often lack the tools or the knowledge (or the time) to research topics as they become popular. This course has been designed to take an in-depth approach to explain the science behind many nutrition hot topics...
7. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Nutrition
Learn the Fundamentals of Nutrition Science...
8. Superfoods, Herbalism, Nutrition Basics and Your Health
Eat For Success. Discover Nutrition Basics For Optimal Performance and Weight Loss...
9. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Sports Nutrition
Learn About The Fundamentals Of Sport Nutrition Science And How To Fuel Your Athlete Client...
10. Nutrition Certification: The Correct Dieting & Meal PLaning
Master Nutrition/ Dieting for healthy Weight Loss & Building Muscles (Adapt with COVID-19)...
11. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Yogic Nutrition
Understand the fundamentals of Yogic Nutrition Science & Learn How to Create Yogic Diets...
12. Prenatal & Postnatal Teacher Training (CPD Certified)
How to safely adapt exercise & Pilates for pre/postnatal clients and classes...
13. Fully Accredited Certification in Nutrition & Diet Planning
Learn how to make fitness diet & meal plans Become a Professional Nutrition Coach with International Certification...
14. Sports Nutrition for Athletes and Fitness Enthusiasts
Learn all about sports nutrition with 7 hours of online video content and start training SMARTER instead of HARDER...
15. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited
Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...
16. Nutrition for Inflammation - The Anti-inflammatory Diet
Heal Your Body Using Food as Medicine...
17. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
18. Fully Accredited Professional Nutritionist Diploma Course
Complete Nutrition For All - Exploring All Elements of Nutrition. Healthy Eating & Nutrition for all ages!...
19. Ketogenic Diet: Keto Nutrition Health Coach Certification
Keto Nutrition Certified Health Coach Specialized in the Ketogenic Diet, Ketosis (Keto) and Intermittent Fasting...
20. Prenatal and Postnatal Birthing Classes - From Belly to Baby
Prenatal classes setting you up for a positive birth. All about pregnancy, labor, delivery, breastfeeding and baby care...
Top 10 most affordable universities for prenatal genetic counselors
The most affordable schools for prenatal genetic counselors are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for prenatal genetic counselors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for prenatal genetic counselors.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for prenatal genetic counselors
The hardest universities for prenatal genetic counselors to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for prenatal genetic counselors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for prenatal genetic counselors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for prenatal genetic counselors
The easiest schools for prenatal genetic counselors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a prenatal genetic counselor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for prenatal genetic counselors.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
5. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
6. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
7. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
8. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
9. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
10. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
Average prenatal genetic counselor salary by education level
| Prenatal genetic counselor education level | Prenatal genetic counselor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $67,604 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $58,109 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $51,377 |
Prenatal genetic counselor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for prenatal genetic counselor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025