A Rigorous, Flexible Approach to Advanced Genealogical Learning

The Advanced Skills in Genealogy course offers a rich, flexible learning experience. Informed by feedback from students and instructional experts, it upholds the high standards of advanced genealogy education while emphasizing opportunities to apply what you learn through active, hands-on practice. You’ll engage with realistic research and writing challenges through exercises, short knowledge reviews, and assignments that help you think critically, write effectively, and apply what you learn in meaningful ways.

The course includes four written assignments built around provided case materials, allowing all students to tackle the same analytical and writing challenges—without limiting their ability to use personal cases for a future credentialing portfolio. Each assignment features clear objectives, detailed grading rubrics, and personalized mentor feedback to support efficient, constructive learning. The remaining modules include auto-graded assessments that provide immediate results and targeted feedback, giving you greater control over your learning pace while reinforcing comprehension.

Build Your Skills, Your Way

The Advanced Skills in Genealogy course includes eighteen modules that build on each other step by step. To earn the certificate, you’ll complete all modules successfully—but if your goal is to strengthen your skills, you’ll have the freedom to explore the material and submit graded work for feedback, even if you don’t pass every component. The focus is on growth, not perfection. You’ll be encouraged to experiment, learn from feedback, and keep building your skills at your own pace. While we recommend following the modules in order, you can also explore topics in any sequence that fits your research interests or professional goals.

What to Expect

Advanced Skills in Genealogy blends professional-level rigor with a flexible, supportive structure. You’ll work through real examples and guided assignments that strengthen your ability to analyze and write about complex research problems. Whether you’re pursuing credentialing, building professional experience, or ready to take your research and writing to the next level, the course offers the structure and feedback to help you grow with confidence.

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To succeed in this rigorous program, you should be an intermediate to advanced genealogist with substantial practical experience researching and solving genealogical problems. While our Foundations in Family History course is recommended as preparation, you’ll need to draw on both extensive research experience and previous genealogical education.

Our students typically fall into three categories:

• Genealogists preparing for professional credentialing
• Those planning to launch a professional genealogy career
• Serious family historians committed to applying professional standards to their research

Students who thrive in this challenging course typically share many of the following
qualities:

Educational Foundation: Prior formal genealogy training at the intermediate level
or beyond, covering a range of sources and methodologies.

Applied Research Practice: Experience formulating research questions, creating and
following research plans, tracking work systematically, and correlating and
interpreting findings.

Analytical Mindset: Familiarity with techniques such as transcribing old handwriting,
constructing and analyzing timelines, and organizing evidence in tables.

Source Familiarity: Hands-on experience locating and interpreting a variety of
records, including home sources, published works, newspapers, census, vital, land,
probate, and DNA evidence.

Strategic Research Habits: Ability to evaluate the scope and limitations of databases,
and experience working with both unindexed online material and offline records in
repositories.

Essential Prerequisites:

• Working knowledge of the Genealogical Proof Standard
• Familiarity with Evidence Explained and Genealogy Standards

Technical Requirements:

• Proficiency in navigating online learning platforms and digital content
• Comfort with word processing software (including section breaks, footnotes, tables, and image manipulation)
• Strong writing and self-editing skills
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and accept and incorporate feedback

Setting You Up for Success: If you recognize yourself in most of these descriptions and you have completed formal coursework in genealogy, you are likely well-prepared for the pace and expectations of Advanced Skills in Genealogy. If several of these requirements feel unfamiliar, we recommend building your skills through our Foundations in Family History course and selected Continuing Genealogical Studies courses before undertaking this advanced program. This preparation will help ensure your investment of time, money, and effort leads to successful completion of the certificate.

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