Master in Genetic Counsellors

For Master in Genetic Counsellors, tuition fees are 1,606 EUR per year.

Genetic counselling is a specialized field that combines knowledge of human genetics with communication and counselling skills to help individuals and families understand genetic conditions and the risks associated with them. Students in this area typically study human and medical genetics, molecular biology, epidemiology, and psychology, alongside training in how to communicate complex genetic information clearly and sensitively to patients. Coursework often includes case-based learning, an introduction to genetic testing technologies, and practical training in supporting people through decisions about testing, diagnosis, and family planning. This program preparing Genetic Counsellors is offered at the master's level by Universita degli Studi di Siena, in Siena, Italy, and is taught in English. It runs for two years, in line with the standard length of master's degrees in the European higher education system, and admission is by entrance examination, meaning applicants are selected through a competitive process rather than open enrollment. Graduates who train as genetic counsellors typically work within healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinical genetics services, and prenatal or oncology departments, where they support patients and families navigating genetic testing and diagnosis. Some pursue further specialization within particular areas of clinical genetics, such as cancer genetics, reproductive genetics, or rare disease services, while others move into research or roles connected to genetic testing laboratories and companies. As genetic testing becomes more widely used in healthcare, the role of genetic counsellors continues to involve close collaboration with physicians, laboratory scientists, and other health professionals, making strong communication skills as important to the profession as scientific and technical knowledge of genetics.