Application and Forms for the DGG Program

The School of Health Professions at MD Anderson offers a Master of Science in Diagnostic Genetics and Genomics. Students enter the program in August of each year. Admission is on a competitive basis with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance.

The Office of the Registrar at UTHealth Houston also serves as the registrar for the MD Anderson School of Health Professions. Although documents related to the admissions process should be sent to UTHealth Houston, students are enrolled at and will graduate from the School of Health Professions.

The M.S. in Diagnostic Genetics and Genomics program no longer requires applicants to submit GRE scores for admission consideration.

1. Priority Deadlines

Applicants are highly encouraged to submit the application and all supporting documents by the priority application deadline. Applications and documents received after the priority dates will be considered for admission only if space is available. To ensure all documents are matched properly, make sure to submit your admissions application before submitting your supporting documents.

Fall 2025 Admission

Sept. 15, 2024 Applications open
April 30, 2025 Priority applications deadline; applications received after this date are considered ONLY if slots are available
May 30, 2025 Applications close

2. Review Prerequisite Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, or related fields. Prior research experience and the following courses are strongly recommended:

Biochemistry
Biology
Evolutionary Biology

Genetics
Human Physiology
Microbiology

Molecular Biology
Organic Chemistry
Statistics

3. Complete Online Application

Apply online by logging into applyUTH and selecting "Graduate MDA" as your school of choice. Make sure to complete the essay question posted on the online application. Pay a non-refundable $65 application fee upon submission of your application.

applyUTH Opens a new window

4. Submit Three Recommendations

Submit recommendation forms directly to Program Director, Peter Hu, Ph.D (pchu@mdanderson.org). Instructions included on the form.

Professional Recommendation Form (pdf) Opens a new window

5. Submit Official College Transcript(s) from Each School Attended

The transcript(s) should show a record of all academic work completed and be sent directly from the corresponding college to the Office of the Registrar .To ensure prompt processing, request that your school sends transcripts using “SPEEDE”. If your school cannot send “SPEEDE” transcripts, colleges may send transcripts in the mail or electronically.

If an email address is required for the submission of the official transcript, please utilize student-admissions@uth.tmc.edu.

Submitted transcripts are considered "official" if the print date is within the previous six months. Visit the Office of the Registrar Academic Transcripts page for more information.

6. Submit Foreign College Transcripts

All applicants with foreign college transcripts/mark sheets must have a course by course, and grade by grade evaluation by an approved evaluation agency (PDF).

7. Submit TOEFL Scores

For all international students whose native language is not English, proof of English language proficiency must be submitted. The School of Health Professions accepts the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers. A minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based format or 550 on the paper exam is required.

The TOEFL Designated Institution Code for MD Anderson is 6906.

Applicants meeting any criteria below are exempt from the TOEFL:

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, regardless of your native language.
If you have earned a high school diploma from an accredited U.S. high school.
If you have earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor's degree or higher level degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.
If you have obtained a secondary school degree or higher level degree from a country where English is spoken as the native language.

8. Submit All Required Documents

Office of the Registrar
UTHealth Houston
P.O. Box 20036
Houston, TX 77225-0036

9. Admissions Interview

The Admissions Review Committee will review all applicants that submit a complete application, including required documents, by the priority deadline. Upon review, competitive applicants will be invited for an admissions interview. Applications and documents received after the priority dates will be considered by the Admissions Review Committee only if space is available.

10. Submit Additional Paperwork

All students who are accepted to the School of Health Professions will be required to have current health immunizations, satisfactorily complete drug screening, and a criminal background check. Detailed instructions and specific deadline dates will be provided at the time a student is accepted for admissions.