What Is Required to Be a Geneticist?

by Jeffrey Joyner; Updated June 29, 2018

Geneticists study the genetic properties that contribute to an organism’s makeup, whether the organism is a food crop or a human. Geneticists typically find employment in law enforcement, agriculture or medicine, working for pharmaceutical companies, universities or government agencies. Normally, geneticists are divided into two categories: laboratory geneticist and genetic counselor. The educational requirements for geneticists depend on the career path chosen, with some positions requiring a medical degree. Certain personal attributes also are important.

Bachelor’s Degree

The typical geneticist begins his career with a four-year degree in genetics, biology or chemistry. However, employment opportunities are extremely limited for those with only a bachelor’s degree. What few positions there are typically offer little or no possibility of career advancement and are normally laboratory assistant jobs. Curricula vary by school, but students should expect courses such as botany, biochemistry, zoology, molecular chemistry, genetics, horticulture and microbiology as well as general education classes, such as English, history and mathematics.

Master’s Degree

Opportunities for geneticists with a master’s degree are more plentiful. For example, a master’s degree is usually sufficient to work as a genetic counselor as long as the American Board of Genetic Counseling has granted accreditation to the program. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biological science, students proceed to a program, lasting approximately two years, that combines genetics with training as a counselor. Genetic counselors can specialize in prenatal counseling, work with clients born with a genetic condition or counsel parents of children born with such a condition. Geneticists who want to work in research may still begin as a research or laboratory assistant, but a master’s degree allows them the potential of earning promotions.

Ph.D., D.O. or M.D.

To reach the upper levels of the occupation, a geneticist needs either a Ph.D. or medical degree. For those seeking to lead research and development projects, a doctoral degree is an absolute requirement. For pure research, a Ph.D. is typically adequate, but medical geneticists must be graduates of an accredited medical school, although they can be either a D.O. or M.D. Medical geneticists must normally complete a minimum of four years of work after obtaining their medical degrees to become board certified as a medical geneticist, which can be accomplished by completing one or more residencies. Genetic pathologists who work for law enforcement agencies usually must have medical degrees as well.

Personal Requirements

Geneticists must be able to follow a logic chain to analyze data. Both oral and written communication skills are highly desirable. Genetic counselors and clinical geneticists who see patients should be compassionate and possess good interpersonal skills.

Geneticist Salary

A 2016 survey conducted by the National Society of Genetic Counselors provided an average salary of $81,377 annually for genetic counselors, although salaries could reach $250,000, depending on experience, education, location and specialty. The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes salary data for geneticists in the category of biological scientists. For this category, the BLS reported an average salary of $80,200, as of May 2016, with 10 percent earning more than $121,360 annually.

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