The Fellowship
Scholarship and Educational Stipend
The Warren Alpert Foundation awarded the University of Pennsylvania a generous $9.5 million grant to increase access for students from various backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to the genetic counseling field. Through this grant, the Alliance for Genetic Counseling Fellowship, a consortium of five graduate programs, offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to pursue a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling.
Two-Year Full Scholarships
Students will receive two-year full scholarships, covering tuition, fees, and health insurance for the duration of the two-year program.
Living Expense Fellowship
To further support our scholars, we provide educational fellowships that offset living expenses, allowing students to focus entirely on their academic and professional development. Fellowship amounts may vary by institution and will be discussed during applicant interviews.
Funding for Professional Conferences
Scholars will also receive support to attend professional meetings and conferences, gaining valuable exposure and networking opportunities within the genetic counseling field.
Funding for Master's Thesis Research and Capstone Projects
Some programs require students to complete a master's thesis and others require a capstone project. The scholarship funding supports this research, enabling in-depth exploration and analysis within the genetic counseling field.
Community of Scholars
We foster an inclusive and collaborative environment where individuals from various backgrounds can openly share ideas, learn from one another, and contribute to the collective growth of our community. Our Scholars thrive through mutual respect and the free exchange of knowledge, enriching the learning experience for all.
Scholars from the five programs build relationships through monthly virtual meetings during the academic year where they share experiences, discuss critical topics, and prepare for their careers as professional genetic counselors. They also meet at in-person retreats twice each year, in Philadelphia in the fall and in Boston in the spring.
To support scholars in our alliance programs, we pair two students per institution, fostering partnership and mutual support. The NSGC Minority Genetics Professional Network has highlighted challenges with students often feeling pressure to represent both their personal and minority group perspectives. Clustering scholars can promote inclusion, shared experiences, and emotional support. Research shows that clustering diverse faculty improves retention and reduces isolation in academic settings. We believe that applying this approach will have similar positive effects on our scholars.
Educational Resources
Commitment to support comprehensive educational opportunities to improve the genetic counseling workforce
The Alliance is committed to preparing genetic counselors who recognize the significant impact that limited access and representation have on healthcare outcomes. We empower our graduates with the knowledge and strategies to expand access to genetic and genomic services, promoting a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
Commitment to a more inclusive genetic counseling workforce
All students in the five programs engage in monthly fellowship meetings. Bringing together students from various backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences in a monthly fellowship meeting creates a powerful platform for raising awareness among genetic counseling students. These gatherings foster open dialogue, mutual understanding, and the exchange of ideas that challenge assumptions and broaden worldviews. By engaging with peers who represent a wide range of identities and lived experiences, students gain deeper insight into how social, cultural, and systemic factors influence healthcare access and outcomes. This collaborative environment not only cultivates empathy and cultural humility but also prepares future genetic counselors to provide more informed, equitable, and patient-centered care. The first-year student fellowship meeting is facilitated by Meron Azage, MS, LCGC, and the second-year meeting is facilitated by Shama Khan, MS, LCGC.
Students also participate in Standardized Patient (SP) scenarios—carefully developed with grant funding—to enhance cultural sensitivity. These sessions present complex, real-world situations that challenge students to navigate cultural nuances, communication barriers, and ethical dilemmas. By stretching their counseling skills in a controlled, supportive environment, students build the confidence and competence needed to deliver respectful, inclusive, and effective genetic counseling across a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Mentorship and Career Development
Our program offers comprehensive mentorship to guide students through their education and career development. With the growing complexity and expanding opportunities in genetic counseling, dedicated mentors provide invaluable support, helping scholars navigate the field and achieve long-term success.
Dedicated Faculty Advisor
Each Scholar is paired with a faculty advisor to answer questions and provide support during the program.
Professional Mentor
Scholars are also paired with professional mentors—seasoned genetic counselors with deep knowledge of education and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. These mentors provide personalized guidance, career counseling, and support throughout the program.
Peer Mentorship
Each Scholar will also be assigned a peer mentor, typically a second-year student or recent graduate, to offer insights and advice from their own experience in the program.
Educational Outreach
We are committed to raising awareness about the genetic counseling profession, creating opportunities to inspire and engage students from diverse communities. By fostering interest early on, we aim to develop a strong pipeline of future genetic counselors who reflect the diversity of the populations they will serve.
Recent events include:
- National DNA Day – Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- Prader Willi Family Day – St. Joseph’s Health, Paterson, NJ
- STEM Field Day – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- COACH Internship Program, Boston, MA
- Take Our Children to Work Day – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
