Genetic counselors are health care professionals who support individuals seeking information about inherited diseases. The workforce demand for genetic counselors continues to accelerate nationally, alongside the tremendous explosion of knowledge in the field of genetics and genetic testing. Learn more about a career in genetic counseling.
About KU's Program
While there are more than 50 accredited genetic counseling programs in the United States, the University of Kansas School of Health Professions will offer the only professional degree program leading to a master's degree in genetic counseling in the state of Kansas.
Image: the Health Education Building at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
The program will be two years in length and will be held at the University of Kansas Medical Center. While there may be opportunities for online learning, all students in the program will need to relocate to the Kansas City area.
Learn more about our program's eligibility and admission requirements.
Advising and Questions
Interested in learning more about KU's master's degree program in genetic counseling?
We're here to answer questions and provide assistance as you prepare for an exciting career in genetic counseling.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Kansas master's degree program in genetic counseling is to educate future genetic counselors and guide their development to become insightful, empathic, collaborative, life-long learners who improve the lives of their patients, colleagues and the greater community.
Our objectives:
- Providing an innovative and diverse curriculum with robust clinical experiences.
- Instilling professionalism and integrity.
- Creating advocates for individuals with genetic conditions.
- Cultivating a passion for clinical research.
- Stimulating knowledge and action surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in its student body and in the profession of genetic counseling.
Program Leadership
Program Director
As a certified genetic counselor, Erin Youngs, M.S., CGC, has practiced at health care facilities in Kansas City and Oklahoma City for 15+ years with a primary clinical focus in oncology. She has worked in genetic counseling program leadership roles since 2015, serving as assistant director and program director in Oklahoma City before taking on her role for KU's program. View Youngs' faculty bio.
Assistant Program Director
Lauren Bartik, M.S., CGC, joined KU in 2022 as the assistant director of the genetic counseling master’s degree program. As a certified genetic counselor, Bartik has practiced at Children’s Mercy Hospital for ten years. Her primary specialty has been pediatrics with a focus on cardiology, craniofacial, inpatient consults and 22q11.2 deletion/duplication syndrome.
Admissions and Engagement Coordinator
Jennifer Kussmann, M.S., CGC, joined KU in 2024 as a clinical assistant professor. She has more than 20 years of clinical genetic counseling experience. She worked for seven years at the University of Missouri, serving in prenatal and outreach clinics across the state, a Huntington’s disease clinic and pediatric genetics clinic. Kussmann has spent the past 13+ years in a variety of subspecialty clinics at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Her passion is providing care in the Fetal Health Center, increasing access through telehealth services and seeing inpatient consults.
The University of Kansas Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program is accredited as a New Program by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), located at 7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102. ACGC can be reached at (703) 506-7667 or through their website at www.gceducation.org.
See also: program accreditation and outcomes
Institutional Services
Counseling and Educational Support Services
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Office of Civil Rights & Title IX - KU Medical Center Impact & Belonging.
- School of Health Professions Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- KU Medical Center diversity, equity and inclusion programs: coordinated events such as heritage months and celebrations, with educational and interactive programs including First Generation Project, Clinical Culture & Diversity Series, and Community Conversations.
- Office of Student Life: diversity, equity and inclusion programs and resources.
Underrepresented/Affinity Groups
- Affinity groups (located in myKUMC intranet, login required).
- KU Medical Center student organizations (located in TheBeat@KUMC, login required).
- University of Kansas multicultural/identity student organizations.
Disability services
- KU Medical Center Office of Academic Accommodations: provides link to apply for accommodation.
- KU Medical Center Academic Accommodation Services: accessibility.
NOTE: First-generation “services” are only available at the undergraduate level, from the University of Kansas Lawrence campus.