Membership in AGCPD exists at three levels:



Full members - Full member programs currently train graduate students to become board certified genetic counselors, award the Master’s degree and have current accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC).  Up to two representatives per program; programs may request membership for additional representatives subject to the approval of the executive board.  Representatives from each institution may attend meetings and be involved in committee work (including serving as a chair).  There will be one vote per institution by the representative the training program designates. 

Associate members - Members at the associate level are academic institution which is currently in the process of actively planning a program to train graduate students to become board certified genetic counselors and award the Master’s degree.  Membership at this level is awarded to programs that have a letter of intent that has been accepted by ACGC.  Up to two representatives from each institution may attend educational meetings, be involved in committee work, but are not eligible to chair an AGCPD committee, attend the business portions of AGCPD meetings or vote.   
 
Affiliate members - There are two ways in which membership is available at this level:  (1) an institution which is currently in the process of planning a program to train graduate students to become ACGC-certified genetic counselors and award the Master’s degree, but has neither applied for accreditation through the ACGC nor submitted a letter of intent to ACGC, or (2) an international program that is either already training individuals or is in the process of actively planning a program to train individuals to practice as genetic counselors in their home countries. It is not expected that international programs will be ACGC accredited or planning on seeking ACGC accreditation. Up to two representatives from each affiliate member institution may attend meetings and receive work products from committees but are not eligible to serve on or chair an AGCPD committee, attend the business portions of AGCPD meetings or vote.   

Members at the full and associate levels are able to:
  1. Attend educational program
  2. Access resources, including:
    1. online communications via the listserv and members section of the website
    2. new program development materials
    3. aggregate applicant data
    4. resources generated by committees
    5. teaching materials
    6. admissions process and unmatched applicant pool
  3. Sit on AGCPD committees


In addition, full members are able to:
  1. Attend AGCPD business meetings
  2. Receive communications for full members, such as electronic voting
  3. Access achieved information, including meeting minutes and old work product

To join, click here and for more information on starting a new program, see the starting a new program section.