FAQ

What is the minimum GPA to apply?  

  • A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 for your entire undergraduate career, or
  • A grade-point average of at least 3.0 for your last two undergraduate years, or
  • Exceptional work in your entire final undergraduate career (3.5 or better), or
  • Graduate work with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 or better.
  • Do I need to take the GREs?

    No. The GREs are not required for the Health Care Genetics PSM Program application. If you are concerned about your cumulative grade-point-average, you might consider completing the GREs or alternate standardized graduate exam (e.g. MCAT)

    What is the application deadline?

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with admission for the fall, spring and summer.  Application deadline REQUEST for fall admission is March 15 and for spring admission is Sept 30 to allow the admissions committee adequate time for processing and review.  Applications submitted during off-semester times may experience a delay in review.  The Graduate School recommends that students apply a minimum of 2 months before the first day of the semester.

  • Please contact the Health Care Genetics Program Director, Dr. Judy Brown,  to inquire about space availability or at any time during your application process if you have programmatic questions.
  • An in-person, phone or video conversation with the program director or key faculty member before or during the application process is recommended.
  • The last day for applicants to accept admission for Fall is July 26th The last day for applicants to accept admission for Spring is December 20th  In no case will applications for admission to a particular semester be accepted after the first (1st) day of classes in that semester. All credentials, including official transcripts covering all undergraduate and graduate work taken up to the time of application, as well as the non-refundable processing fee, must also have been received by deadline dates.
  • How much does this program cost?

    Graduate students should refer to the Office of the Bursar for current tuition and fee information, procedures, and policies pertaining to graduate students and graduate programs. Specific HCG program costs are also outlined here.

    Can I get tuition waiver or a teaching assistant position?

    No, sorry. The Masters Degree in Health Care Genetics is a professional degree; as such, students finance their matriculation through personal resources and loans.  Please visit this page for further explanation: https://healthcaregenetics.uconn.edu/funding-and-assistantships/

    What do I need to apply to the PSM Program in Health Care Genetics?

    >A checklist for required application materials is available.

    • Transcripts
    • Reference Letters (3) (employer or faculty)
    • If you are not a native speaker of English, evidence of proficiency in the English language must be submitted.
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae 
    • Personal Statement of Purpose
      • This document should tell your program’s admissions committee everything you would like to reveal in a personal interview.
      • You should include your reasons for selecting the Health Care Genetics Program at UConn, your purpose in undertaking graduate work, your ultimate goals or plans (if you know them as of yet). Let the committee know about your academic, experiential and logistical preparation for the program application and program itself, your strengths and weaknesses as a student; any academic honors, scholarships, or fellowships you have received, will all be helpful.

    I am an international student, are there special application procedures or deadlines?

    Yes, If you are an international student who requires U.S. student visa sponsorship by the University of Connecticut, please be prepared to submit an immigration document request to the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) Office; the instructions will be sent to you AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED BY THE GRADUATE SCHOOL.

    I have a high GPA, am I guaranteed admission?

    Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Applicants must show promise of superior achievement and must have specific preparation for the course of study they wish to undertake. If their records indicate deficiencies, applicants may be refused admission or required either to take background courses without graduate credit or to demonstrate by examination that they have acquired the requisite knowledge or skills for graduate study. In addition, since each graduate program has a limited number of places, the successful applicant must have a record competitive with those of other applicants in the same field.

    Are there specific class pre-requisites to apply to the Health Care Genetics Program?

    Although there are no specific classes listed, this is a Master's of Science Degree Program and thus an adequately prepared applicant will have at minimum completed undergraduate courses in biology, chemistry, and genetics. Laboratory classes provide valuable learning experiences and thus the admission committee will be reviewing transcripts for relevant laboratory training. Other relevant science classes include molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology. The Professional aspect of the Professional Science Master's degree requires strong communication skills and demonstration of positive and productive independent and interpersonal interactions.

    How do I submit my application?

    All applications for graduate study at UConn must be submitted using an online application system. You will be asked to provide a valid credit card for payment of the electronic application fee ($75) when you submit your application. Note that because UConn is committed to promoting a diverse graduate community, the Graduate School has agreed to waive application fees for prospective students associated with certain organizations and partnerships.

    How many credits do I have to take each semester?

    The number of credits and choice of courses for which a student registers is a matter to be discussed by the student and the major advisor. Graduate students may enroll in up to 20 credits per semester. A student may be classified as a full-time student in the PSM Program in one of two (2) ways: (1) enroll in 9 or more credits of coursework; or (2) enroll in one (1) of the four (4) special purpose 3-credit courses. These courses include GRAD 5960 (Full-time Master’s Research) or GRAD 5930 (Master’s Level Directed Studies). To be classified as half-time, the student’s course credit load must be between 5 and 8 credits per semester. A credit load of fewer than 5 credits per semester is a part-time load.

    Do I have to keep a minimum GPA to stay in the Program?

    Maintenance of good academic standing in The Graduate School requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher at all times while enrolled in a graduate program. The Health Care Genetics Program has minimum scholastic standards by which students must abide to remain in good standing with the Program and for credits to counted toward a plan of study.

    Can I enroll in another degree program while at UCONN?

    Students may earn a graduate degree only in a program to which they have been admitted. Ordinarily, a student is granted admission to pursue a graduate degree in one field at a time. A student may be permitted to enroll concurrently in two different degree programs with approval of their advisors in both programs. There are several approved dual degree programs providing the opportunity for the student to pursue work toward two degrees simultaneously. These programs often involve the sharing of a limited and specified number of course credits between the two degrees. In all cases, separate applications must be filed for each of the two degree programs.

    What types of jobs can I get with a PSM degree?

    Graduates with MS degrees in genetics are working in a variety of settings from a research lab to a clinical testing lab. Some have gone on to nursing, pharmacy, law, or doctoral programs. Job options are dependent on your preferred location, your skill set, the type of job you want, etc. Consider searching indeed.com or reviewing the genetic job websites posted on this website. Review job descriptions, (ignore the degree and experience requirement for now), and take notes about what interests you most (and if we are meeting, print out the top 5; this will help in the advising process and identifying skill sets to gain). Also note: many employers will list top notch best scenario for an applicant with respect to degree, experience, skills etc.… As an employer I can say that the best scenario is not always the scenario by which we actually hire.

    Is the PSM an accredited program?

    The PSM in Health Care Genetics Program has maintained active National Office of Professional Science Masters affiliation since November 2014. This is not a NAACLS accredited program, but graduates may be eligible for the ASCP BOR Molecular Biology certification or cytogenetics certification depending on previous experience and/or PSM plan of study curriculum and availability of appropriate internship site training.

    The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) lists the National Professional Science Master's Association and Professional Science Master's Degrees as a degree which allows students to acquire valuable workplace skills while pursuing advanced training in a science or math field.