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Research geneticist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a research geneticist. Research geneticists usually study biology, plant sciences, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 56% of research geneticists hold a bachelor's degree, and 33% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 27 real research geneticist resumes to see exactly what research geneticist education sections show.

The most common colleges for research geneticists are the Texas A&M; University and the Texas A&M; University.

There are also many online research geneticist courses to help get the education required to be a research geneticist.

What education do you need to become a research geneticist?

What degree do you need to be a research geneticist?

The most common degree for research geneticists is bachelor's degree, with 56% of research geneticists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are doctoral degree degree at 33% and doctoral degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 56%
  • Doctorate, 33%
  • Master's, 11%

What should I major in to become a research geneticist?

You should major in biology to become a research geneticist. 37% of research geneticists major in biology. Other common majors for a research geneticist include plant sciences and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Most common colleges for research geneticists

Research geneticists often get their degrees at Texas A&M; University, New Mexico State University, and University of Florida. Here are the most common colleges for research geneticists in the US based on their resumes.
Research geneticist common collegePercentages
Texas A&M University22.22%
New Mexico State University11.11%
University of Florida11.11%
Northeastern Illinois University11.11%
University of New Mexico11.11%

Best majors for research geneticists

Best colleges for research geneticists

The best colleges for research geneticists are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Duke University.

A research geneticist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for research geneticists. 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 research geneticists.

1. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for research geneticists

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1. Understanding Research Methods

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This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage. The course will appeal to those of you who require an...

2. Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research

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Welcome! Are you looking to learn more about how to conduct scientific research, specifically in an urban or local context? Then you have found the right course: Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research by the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam. During the course you will gain more insight in the different steps of the research cycle, and build a firm foundation for your own future research endeavors. Before any (urban)...

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5. Uncertainty and Research

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This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...

6. Operational Research for Humanitarians

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Evidence is central to good decision-making both in the humanitarian sector and beyond. Every day, a vast amount of evidence is generated that is relevant to humanitarian actors, much of it through research by academics and practitioners. This evidence can be incredibly valuable. It can help us better understand a situation and make humanitarian action more effective and accountable. The difficulty comes with understanding what evidence is relevant to our circumstances, where to find it, and...

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9. Being a researcher (in Information Science and Technology)

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The course provides a broad view of how to become and progress as a researcher. It spans over a wide range of topics, from the historical development of scientific thought to research methodology, to the pragmatics of publication, research funding, evaluation, and promotion in a researcher’s career. It also stresses the ethical aspects of research. Although the course speaks about scientific research in general, it especially focuses on the field on Information and Communication Science and...

10. Foundations of Health Equity Research

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Introduces students to the core principles of health equity research. Covers topics such as defining health equity, engaging community and policy stakeholders, patient-centeredness, cultural competence, and dissemination of research findings. Content will recognize different geographic, cultural, and social contexts where health inequities occur...

11. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research

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12. How to Write an Effective Research Paper

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13. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics

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If you’ve ever skipped over the results section of a medical paper because terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value” go over your head, then you’re in the right place. You may be a clinical practitioner reading research articles to keep up-to-date with developments in your field or a medical student wondering how to approach your own research. Greater confidence in understanding statistical analysis and the results can benefit both working professionals and those undertaking research...

14. Psychological Research

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This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...

15. Research Methods For Business Students

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16. An Introduction to Online Quantitative Market Research

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17. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...

18. Global Marketing Research and Analytics

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Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...

19. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions

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Discover the extra advantage of any Business. A practical step by step guide to Marketing Information and Research...

20. Clinical Research for beginners

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The Art of Publishing - Master Pub Med, Study design, Biostatistics, Journal choice, Manuscript writing & Referencing...

Top 10 most affordable universities for research geneticists

The most affordable schools for research geneticists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for research geneticists 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 research geneticists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for research geneticists

The hardest universities for research geneticists to get into are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Duke University.

Some great schools for research geneticists 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 research geneticists 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

9. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

10. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for research geneticists

The easiest schools for research geneticists to get into are D'Youville College, 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 research geneticist 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 research geneticists.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

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. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

5. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

8. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

9. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

10. Marymount University

Arlington, VA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,065

Average research geneticist salary by education level

According to our data, research geneticists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $76,821 annually. Research geneticists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $72,913.
Research geneticist education levelResearch geneticist salary
Master's Degree$72,913
Bachelor's Degree$71,396
Doctorate Degree$76,821

Research geneticist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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