Advanced Skills in Genealogy

Advanced Skills in Genealogy: A Certificate Course

Course Description

Advanced Skills in Genealogy empowers students to break through research obstacles with proven methodology, systematic correlation, and skillful evidence analysis. Students master essential U.S. record and repository types while developing the writing skills needed to document their findings professionally. Each module builds strategically on previous lessons, helping students transform challenging research problems into well-documented family histories. 

Prerequisites: The NGS Foundations in Family History course or equivalent education or experience
Format: Online, cloud based
Pricing: Save up to $300! Register for the full course with the NGS member discount for maximum savings. Not already a member? Add NGS membership to your order!
Full Course Members $1,050 Non-Members $1,250
✓ Save $100 compared to purchasing parts separately   ✓ 18-month access   ✓ All 19 modules
Part I (Modules 1–10) Members $575 Non-Members $675
9-month access
Part II (Modules 11–19) Members $575 Non-Members $675
9-month access
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Course Structure

Advanced Skills in Genealogy guides students through nineteen comprehensive modules, exploring sixteen essential record types used in genealogical research. While the methodological principles apply globally, all assignments and graded work center on U.S. records and repositories.

The course is structured in two parts. You may purchase each part separately, giving you flexibility in your learning schedule. However, you’ll need to successfully complete Part 1 before beginning Part 2.

Part I

  • Research Planning and Organization
  • Finding and Using Genealogical Resources
  • Using Libraries, Archives, and Online Resources
  • Analyzing and Correlating Sources, Information, and Evidence
  • Advanced Census Research
  • Government Vital Records
  • City Directories, Newspapers, and Maps
  • Cemetery and Burial Records
  • Utilizing Religious Records
  • Probate and Other Court Records

Part II

  • Colonial, State, and Federal Land Records
  • Local Land and Tax Records
  • Migration Studies and Resources
  • Immigration Records
  • Naturalization and Citizenship Records
  • Military and Veterans Records – Parts I and II
  • Using DNA Evidence
  • Genealogical Writing

Course Delivery Format

Take control of your learning journey with our flexible online delivery through the Canvas learning management system. You can study when and where it works best for you, accessing course materials from any desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet connection. No software downloads needed—everything is cloud-based for your convenience.

Please note: While Canvas offers some tablet accessibility and a mobile app, full course functionality requires a computer. View Canvas’s browser compatibility requirements here: https://guides.instructure.com/m/67952/l/720329-which-browsers-does-canvas-support.

Your progress through the course includes regular knowledge checks and skill application. In eighteen of the nineteen modules, you’ll complete graded quizzes or written assignments, demonstrating your understanding and growing expertise. Our experienced volunteer mentors personally review your written work using transparent grading rubrics, while quizzes are automatically graded for immediate feedback. To earn your certificate, you’ll need to achieve a minimum score of 75% on all assignments. If your score falls below 75% on any assessment, you’ll have the opportunity to try again—whether that’s retaking a quiz or revising a written assignment.

Required Textbooks:

We recommend print versions of the required textbooks; electronic editions often do not include page numbers, which you’ll need to find reading assignments. We are unable to provide e-book ‘locations’ because they vary by device and settings.

Enrollment Period & Course Access

To balance flexibility with educational quality, we offer the following enrollment options.

When you purchase the full course:

  • You have eighteen (18) months to complete both parts
  • You’ll receive immediate access to Part 1
  • Part 2 becomes available after completing Part 1

When purchasing parts separately:

  • Parts must be completed in sequence (Part 1, then Part 2)
  • You have nine (9) months to complete each part
  • Part 2 can only be purchased after completing Part 1

After purchase, you’ll receive a confirmation and welcome email. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see it. Access to the course in Canvas may take up to a few days. Look for additional details in the welcome email.

Need More Time? Paid extensions are available if you find you need additional time to complete your course.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

To accommodate changes in plans prior to beginning your studies, we offer these refund options, upon request:

Before Accepting Canvas Invitation

  • Full refund available minus a $75 administrative fee
  • Applies to both full course and individual part purchases

After Accepting Canvas Invitation

  • No refund available for Part 1
  • Part 2 (Full course purchase only): If you withdraw before gaining access to Part 2, you’ll be charged for Part 1 at the individual rate plus a $75 administrative fee. The remaining balance will be refunded.
  • No refund available for Part 2 if purchased individually

NGS License

Course materials are © National Genealogical Society. All rights reserved.

NGS grants you a personal, nontransferable license to access course materials for your own educational use. You may not:

  • Share course materials with others
  • Transfer your access to another person
  • Copy or distribute course content

Questions?

For questions about the course content or expectations for Advanced Skills in Genealogy, please contact the NGS Education Course Manager. For general questions about NGS courses, please visit FAQs for NGS Courses or contact the NGS Course Administrator.