Genetics Reshapes Healthcare, SCU Prepares Students for Growing Workforce

As genetics and genomics become more central in healthcare, demand is growing for professionals who can interpret increasingly complex genetic information, help translate scientific advances into clinical practice, and guide patients through critical and potentially life-changing healthcare decisions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of genetic counselors is projected to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. BLS also projects employment of medical scientists, a broader category that includes many research-focused roles in biomedical science, to grow 9% during the same period. Together, these projections point to growing demand for professionals who can support both the patient-facing and research-driven sides of genomic medicine.

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is preparing students to help meet that demand through its Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomics and Master of Science in Genetic Counseling programs, which train graduates to work across clinical, research, and biotechnology settings where genomic medicine is rapidly expanding.

"Medicine is becoming increasingly individually‑focused as genomic technologies move from research into routine care," said Dr. Dan Handley, Program Director of SCU's Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomics. "We now not only have tools that allow us to quickly sequence genetic information at ever‑lower cost, but also analyze and interpret the clinical implications of that information. As genomic technologies become more integrated into healthcare, there is a growing need for professionals who can innovate new technologies, deepen our understanding of the genomic basis of health and disease, and apply this knowledge to improve patient care."