For graduate students

Genogram tools for graduate students

An AI-assisted genogram maker for every graduate program: MFT, social work, counseling, psychology, nursing, and genetic counseling. Standard McGoldrick-style notation, free to start, no download needed.

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by the GenogramAI Clinical Team

Quick answer

Graduate students in MFT, social work, counseling, psychology, nursing and genetic counseling are usually asked to draw a three-generation genogram of their own or a case family, using standard McGoldrick-style symbols. GenogramAI builds it from a plain-language description; the free plan covers 2 genograms, 5 AI credits a month and PNG export.

Genogram example: Family of Origin Genogram: Graduate Student Assignment Example — A family-of-origin genogram drawn for a graduate assignment. Open this example

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Which graduate programs assign genograms?

Genogram guides tailored to your field of study.

Marriage & Family Therapy

Bowen-style genograms with emotional overlays, triangles, and multigenerational patterns. Built for COAMFTE coursework, practicum, and portfolio documentation. Learn more

MSW / BSW Social Work

Complex family structures for field placement, CSWE competency documentation, and supervision. Handles blended families, foster care, and trauma indicators. Learn more

CACREP Counseling

Professional genograms for school counseling, clinical mental health, and rehabilitation counseling, for practicum and internship. Learn more

Psychology

Family systems theory meets proper tools. 39 emotional relationship types, standard McGoldrick-style notation, and AI that understands Bowenian concepts. Learn more

Nursing

Medical history quadrants, hereditary condition tracking, and causes of death for Family Health Nursing coursework. Learn more

Genetic Counseling

Pedigree-style genograms with medical genetics notation. Track hereditary conditions across generations for clinical genetic assessments. Learn more

Program	Typical assignment	What to include
MFT	Family-of-origin or self-of-the-therapist genogram	3+ generations, emotional lines, triangles, cutoffs
Social work (MSW/BSW)	Client genogram for field placement, often with an eco-map	Household, custody and placement history, community supports
Counseling (CACREP)	Family-of-origin genogram plus reflection paper	3 generations, roles, patterns, cultural context
Psychology	Family systems case genogram	Emotional relationships, mental health history, Bowen concepts
Nursing	Family health genogram	Medical quadrants, causes and ages of death, hereditary conditions
Genetic counseling	Three-generation pedigree	Affected status, carriers, consanguinity, ages

Typical expectations; always follow your syllabus and instructor's rubric.

Common student assignments

Guides for the most frequently assigned genogram projects.

Family of Origin Genogram

The most common graduate assignment. Map your own family across 3+ generations with emotional patterns and medical history.

Analysis Paper Guide

Step-by-step guide for writing the genogram analysis paper that accompanies your diagram. Structure, theory application, and reflection.

Self-of-the-Therapist

Explore how your own family patterns influence your clinical work. Required in many MFT and counseling programs.

General Assignment Help

Quick-start guide for any genogram assignment. From blank page to finished genogram in under 15 minutes.

Genogram example: School Counselor Genogram: Student in Two Households — A school counseling genogram: a student living in two households. Open this example

What should a graduate genogram include?

The diagram

At least three generations
Names, birth years and ages; death years where relevant
Marriages, divorces, separations and cohabitation
Emotional relationship lines (close, conflict, cutoff)
A legend explaining every symbol you used

The analysis

Repeating patterns across generations
Triangles and alliances
Losses, transitions and their timing
Cultural, religious and socioeconomic context
How the patterns relate to you or the presenting problem

About the notation

The symbols follow standard genogram notation as described by McGoldrick, Gerson and Petry in Genograms: Assessment and Treatment. GenogramAI is not affiliated with the authors or publisher.

Student resources

Templates

Pre-built genogram templates for common assignment types.

How-To Guide

Step-by-step tutorial for creating your first genogram.

Symbol Reference

Standard genogram symbols, structural and emotional.

Examples

Genogram examples across disciplines and use cases.

Need a starting layout? The basic three-generation template is a good base for most assignments.

FAQs for graduate students

Is GenogramAI free for students?

Yes, there is a free plan: 2 genograms, 5 AI credits a month, all 64 relationship types, emotional relationship lines, medical quadrants, and PNG export. No credit card required. Many students complete a single assignment on the free tier. PDF, SVG and GEDCOM export and unlimited AI are on the Professional plan ($12/month).

Which graduate programs use genograms?

Genograms are assigned in Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT), social work (MSW/BSW), counseling (CACREP programs), psychology, nursing, and genetic counseling programs. They appear in family systems courses, practicum, field placement, and clinical training.

Does GenogramAI use standard notation?

Yes. GenogramAI uses standard genogram notation as described by McGoldrick, Gerson and Petry in Genograms: Assessment and Treatment, the convention most graduate programs teach. Check your syllabus for any program-specific symbols. GenogramAI is not affiliated with the authors or publisher.

Can I use the AI to build my genogram from a description?

Yes. Describe the family system in plain English, including emotional relationships, medical history, and family structure, and AI generates the genogram with standard symbols. You can then edit any detail manually. Free accounts get 5 AI credits a month.