Housing
The Chicago campus of Northwestern University is located in downtown
Chicago on Lake Michigan. It is readily accessible by automobile and public
transportation. Student housing is available in a Northwestern residence hall
or nearby apartments. Information regarding University and off-campus
housing will be provided upon acceptance to the Graduate Program in Genetic
Counseling.
Tuition and Fees
The tuition for each quarter of the 2006-07 academic year is $11,136. Students
pay tuition for 6 quarters of the program; work study, scholarships and loan
remission are available to assist in defraying at least 20-30% of this expense
(see below). The University requires the purchase of Student Health Insurance.
Estimated Living Expenses
Nearby apartment housing for the duration of the program (18 months) ranges
from approximately $10,500-$20,000 depending on type and size of living space.
Students should plan on approximately $1000 for books and readings during
the course of the program.
Student Tuition Remission via Departmental Work-Study (directly
from the Graduate Program in GC to all students)
Changes yearly, but estimated at $12,000 to $14,000 over the course of the
program. Students are requested to complete 4 hours per week, or 40 hours
per quarter.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Scholarship
Beginning in 2004, NMH is pleased to offer some scholarship support to students
on a merit basis. Applications are available at the interview process. Currently,
we can provide (2) scholarships to first year students at $12,500 and (2)
scholarships to second year students at $7500.
Perkins Loan Remission Program
Perkins loans are needs based, federally subsidized loans from the university
at a low interest rate (5%) for up to $6,000/year. For graduates with a full
time genetic counseling position and board certification and/or licensure,
the university will remit, or cancel loans on a yearly basis as follows:
15% first and second years
20% third year
25% fourth and fifth years
Depending on the year of graduation and board certification, graduates can
potentially receive up to $10,000-$12,000 additional loan remission.
Other Scholarships or Loans
Regardless of which graduate program you attend, you are strongly encouraged
to look into external scholarship money. Many students obtain alumni scholarships
from their undergraduate alma mater, sororities/fraternities, ethnicity-based
organizations, etc. There are many websites that list a variety of scholarships
for which you may be eligible (e.g. http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3gradinf.htm).
One additional scholarship program, which can be taken to any graduate program,
is the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (jackkentcookefoundation.org).
You may wish to investigate this option, and speak with your undergraduate
institution to see if you can be nominated for the award.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available in the form of student loans. After enrollment,
the Office of Financial Aid will forward the appropriate forms.
Student Advising
The size of this program permits individual attention to each student's unique
needs and interests. Program faculty members provide regular and individual
academic advising to each student. Students also receive clinical supervision
from all genetic counselors involved with the program. Faculty members are
encouraged to be creative and continue to learn about new genetic counseling
issues. Traditionally, both faculty members and students experience personal
and professional growth during the program.
Employment Opportunities after Graduation
The genetic counseling profession has grown rapidly in the past 25 years.
Technological advances continue to increase the number and types of employment
opportunities available. Students and graduates will be assisted in locating
jobs, developing interviewing skills, writing resumes, and contacting potential
employers. In recent years at least half of our graduates have secured positions
before graduation, and the mean time to find a position is less than 2 months
after graduation. Employment opportunities are broader if relocation is possible
since jobs may be limited for a given locale. Currently all graduates who
desire employment are employed.
It is the policy of Northwestern University not to discriminate against any
individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, handicap, or veteran status in matters of
admission, employment, housing or service or in the educational programs or
activities that it operates, in accordance with civil rights legislation and
University commitment. Northwestern University reserves the right to change
without notice any statement concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies,
tuition, fees, curricula, and courses.