Journal profile · GENETICS & HEREDITY
Journal of Genetic Counseling
ISSN 1059-7700 · eISSN 1573-3599 · Springer US · UNITED STATES · Bimonthly · Founded 1992
Journal of Genetic Counseling: CAS Zone 4 · Medicine (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 1.85; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,840; median 192 days to acceptance (94 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: easy; 185 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE, SSCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Journal of Genetic Counseling is published by Springer US and is in Zone 4 of Medicine in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are BRCA gene mutations in cancer, Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics and Genomics and Rare Diseases, together about 46.1% of its articles. Its main subfields are Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The Journal of Genetic Counseling (JoGC) is the only peer-reviewed Journal to focus exclusively on genetic counseling-related research, and is the premier resource for thought leadership and new knowledge that can be used to guide practice, education and policy in this area. JoGC publishes rigorous quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, conceptual work, and novel research protocols from around the world, and across diverse populations, that addresses issues of relevance to the profession and practice of genetic counseling, such as: Educational and training needs, methods, and outcomes; Process and outcomes studies focused on implementation of genetic counseling, including design, delivery, care quality, cost analyses, organization, and access to services; Psychological, socio-cultural and ethical considerations; Legal, economic and policy analyses; Conceptual and theoretical work; Professional and workforce issues; Critical examination of the history of genetics and genetic counseling; Research protocols for large-scale prospective studies related to genetic counseling, especially ones focused on genetic counseling interventions and outcomes. JoGC has been published by the National Society of Genetic Counselors for more than 30 years. OUT OF SCOPE: studies and case reports focusing primarily on molecular etiology (e.g. new variants), or mechanisms Mission: To support the genetic counseling community in conducting and publishing rigorous, high-quality genetic counseling research, and building strengthening research capacity to help the global genetic counseling profession achieve its fullest potential. Our values In all our work, we seek to be: Constructive and collaborative Equitable, inclusive and fair Innovative and timely Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement. Diversity in scholarship leads to excellence in scientific discovery and is critical for the cultivation of equitable and inclusive practice of genetic counseling. Innovation and knowledge are enhanced by diversity in topics covered, communities engaged, methodologies used, and researchers and reviewers involved. Especially given the history of inequity, oppression, and eugenics in genetics research and clinical practice, the Journal of Genetic Counseling is committed to integrating principles of DEI throughout all aspects of our journal’s operations. We aim to reduce barriers to journal contributions, support peer review participation, and ensure stigma-free manuscripts. We are dedi
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): GENETICS & HEREDITY
Editor-in-chief Jehannine AustinPublisher website
Editorial board by country: none in mainland China; most named United States 9, Canada 6, Malaysia 4, Qatar 4, India 3 (41 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- BRCA gene mutations in cancerBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology28.9%
- Prenatal Screening and DiagnosticsMedicine8.9%
- Genomics and Rare DiseasesBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology8.3%
- Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric HealthcareMedicine7.2%
- Family Support in IllnessSocial Sciences5.3%
- Family and Disability Support ResearchPsychology5.2%
- Counseling Practices and SupervisionPsychology3.6%
- Ethics in Clinical ResearchMedicine3.5%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Health Policy & Services | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Social Sciences, Biomedical | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Medicine Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Health Policy & Services | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Social Sciences, Biomedical | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Health Policy & Services | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Social Sciences, Biomedical | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIESSCIScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
Web of ScienceMEDLINEPubMedEmbasePsycINFOCASCINAHLCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: EBSCO, ProQuest
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 1.85LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 1.9Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 3.5LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher) 2025
- 3.5Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.83LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.2LetPub ·
- h-index
- 46LetPub ·
- h-index
- 82OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 1,476OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 2.11OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 36.8%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 51.66%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 166LetPub ·
- Articles per year (publisher) 2025
- 175Publisher website ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 689,619Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 3,324 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 139 | 101 | 24 |
| 2025 | 185 | 156 | 362 |
| 2024 | 164 | 145 | 643 |
| 2023 | 188 | 161 | 1,002 |
| 2022 | 126 | 60 | 1,239 |
| 2021 | 177 | 77 | 2,044 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
192 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 149 days – 264 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 19 days (94 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 223 days
- Sample
- 94 articles with submission and acceptance dates (344 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- 6–12 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher) 2025
- 52%Publisher website ·
- Submission to first decision 2025
- 11 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance 2025
- 190 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication 2025
- 22 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,840 / EUR 3,190 / GBP 2,540 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | Yes, amount not published | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
Other charges and waivers (author guidelines)
- Submission fee
- No submission fee
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare9 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 300 words
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 6,000 words
- Reference style
- APA
- Templates
- Word
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Suggested reviewers
- Required
- Highlights
- Required
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted11
- brief reportArticle Type Description Word Limit Abstract / Structure Other Requirements Original Articles (quantitative) Manuscripts reporting on original quantitative rese…Length not stated
- case studiesCase Studies Manuscript addressing issues relevant to discipline and practice of genetic counseling by demonstrating and stimulating thought about a difficult e…Length not stated
- case studyArticle Type Description Word Limit Abstract / Structure Other Requirements Original Articles (quantitative) Manuscripts reporting on original quantitative rese…Length not stated
- original articleArticle Type Description Word Limit Abstract / Structure Other Requirements Original Articles (quantitative) Manuscripts reporting on original quantitative rese…Length not stated
- original articles (qualitative)Original Articles (qualitative) Manuscripts reporting on original qualitative research (incl. phenomenology, thematic analysis, narrative inquiry etc) 8000 limi…Length not stated
- original articles (quantitative)Original Articles (quantitative) Manuscripts reporting on original quantitative research (incl. cross sectional surveys, pre-post design studies, RCTs etc) 6000…Length not stated
- reviewArticle Type Description Word Limit Abstract / Structure Other Requirements Original Articles (quantitative) Manuscripts reporting on original quantitative rese…Length not stated
- review articleArticle Type Description Word Limit Abstract / Structure Other Requirements Original Articles (quantitative) Manuscripts reporting on original quantitative rese…Length not stated
- review articlesReview Articles Both systematic and scoping reviews are considered. 6000 limit (excl. references) Unstructured, 300 words, naming review type (e.g. systematic, …Length not stated
- surveyArticle Type Description Word Limit Abstract / Structure Other Requirements Original Articles (quantitative) Manuscripts reporting on original quantitative rese…Length not stated
- systematic reviewArticle Type Description Word Limit Abstract / Structure Other Requirements Original Articles (quantitative) Manuscripts reporting on original quantitative rese…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use AI Policy
Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) tools—such as ChatGPT and others based on large language models (LLMs)—cannot be considered capable of initiating an original piece of research without direction by human authors. They also cannot be accountable for a published work or for research design, which is a generally held requirement of authorship (as discussed in the previous section), no…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship
All listed authors should have contributed to the manuscript substantially and have agreed to the final submitted version. Review editorial standards and scroll down for a description of authorship criteria.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest AI Disclosure Guidelines
Conflict of interest disclosure required for all authors Model summary
Please review Wiley's AI Guidelines if you have used AI in any capacity in your work.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability Data Sharing
Data sharing mandated Model summary
This journal mandates data sharing. You can learn more about data sharing in Wiley's Data Sharing Policies resource.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Informed consent required for human subjects research Model summary
Journal of Genetic Counseling requires that all appropriate steps were taken to obtain informed consent of all human subjects participating in the research reported in the manuscript submitted for review and possible p
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Reproduction of Copyright Material
If excerpts from copyrighted works owned by third parties are included, all sources must be credited within the manuscript. At minimum, the title and author should be provided. The corresponding author is responsible for obtaining written permission to reproduce the material "in print and other media" from the publisher of the original source. For more information, review Wiley’s Guidelines for Ob…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open Access
This journal is a subscription journal that offers an Open Access option. You’ll have the option to make your article open access after acceptance, which will be subject to an APC unless a waiver applies. Read more about APCs here.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review 1. Submission and Peer Review Process
Single-anonymized peer review; at least two anonymous reviewers plus an Associate or Assistant Editor Model summary
Once the submission materials have been prepared in accordance with the Journal Scope Statement and Author Guidelines, new submissions should be made via the Wiley Authors submission platform: https://authors.wiley.com/journal/JGC4. You may check the status of your submission at any time by logging on to https://authors.wiley.com/dashboard and clicking the "My Submissions" button. For technical he…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprint Policy
Preprint policy: accepts preprints; submitted version may be posted to preprint server at any time Model summary
Please find the Wiley preprint policy here. This journal accepts articles previously published on preprint servers. Journal of Genetic Counseling will consider for review articles previously available as preprints. You may also post the submitted version of a manuscript to a preprint server at any time. You are requested to update any pre-publication versions with a link to the final published art…
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer US
- Country or region
- UNITED STATES
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Bimonthly
- Founded
- 1992
- ISSN
- 1059-7700
- Electronic ISSN
- 1573-3599
- Society / sponsor
- National Society of Genetic Counselors
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 35, Issue 5 (October 2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Journal of Genetic Counseling
What CAS zone is Journal of Genetic Counseling in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Journal of Genetic Counseling is in Zone 4 of Medicine, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Genetics & Heredity / Health Policy & Services / Social Sciences, Biomedical. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Medicine. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Journal of Genetic Counseling?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 1.85; CiteScore 3.5, h-index 82.
How long does peer review take at Journal of Genetic Counseling?
Based on the dates recorded on 94 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 192 days (interquartile range 149–264 days); authors report an average review time of 6–12 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”; the journal's website gives an acceptance rate of 52% (2025). Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Journal of Genetic Counseling?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 300 words; Manuscript length: ≤ 6,000 words; Reference style: APA; Templates: Word; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Suggested reviewers: Required; Highlights: Required; Graphical abstract: Optional; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Journal of Genetic Counseling based?
Of the 41 board members whose country the journal's board page names, none are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (9), Canada (6) and Malaysia (4). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Journal of Genetic Counseling?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Journal of Genetic Counseling is indexed in SCIE, SSCI and Scopus. The journal's website also lists Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CAS, CINAHL and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Journal of Genetic Counseling open access, and what is the APC?
Journal of Genetic Counseling is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,840.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .