Boston University Certificate in Genealogy Review

My online course through Boston University is now complete. Yesterday, I received my grade on my final project and was pleased with my grade. Final grades are not yet sent out however I was able to compute my grade. In the next few weeks I hope to have my certificate in hand after it is mailed out.

The biggest take-a-way that I have and want to pass on to prospective students for the 15 week certificate in genealogy course is to make sure that you have the time to invest in the course. If you do not have "a lot" of extra time, please reconsider enrolling. The course will consume an enormous amount of your time. The reading can be heavy at times but the time involved in the writing and the research assignments is daunting. I estimate that I spent a minimum of 30 hours per week on the course; sometimes more.

Years ago, as an adult and working full-time, I enrolled at the University of Albany to begin studies for my Bachelors and later Masters in History. This was a lot of work and took almost nine years. In my opinion, the BU course was more intensive, demanding, and nerve wracking then when I was a college student. And the the certificate in genealogy course does not carry any college credit nor does it earn you the title of being a Certified Genealogist or CG.

The BU course is taught by genealogy professionals and it will help you become a better genealogist by learning and applying the five-step fundamentals of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) to answer your genealogical question.

    1) Conduct a reasonably exhaustive search for all information

    2) Compile complete citations for each information item

    3) Analyze and correlate information used as evidence

    4) Resolve any conflicts contrary to answering the question

    5) Write a coherent conclusion based on the evidence

Other key learning points include:

    1) Learning about evidence analysis.

            Sources provide information that identify evidence for analysis.

    2) The proper method of writing source citations.

    3) Uses of DNA testing.

    4) Genealogical writing: proof statements, proof arguments, and proof summaries.

I found the course very worth while. Even if you consider yourself a hobbyist genealogist this course still may be for you especially if you wish to up your game in genealogy. My next course of action is to get on the waiting list and enroll in the 14 month ProGen study group.

Presently there are numerous gravestones waiting for me... 

Boston University Certificate in Genealogy Program : Week 12

 Well, I have not posted in quite a while due to the demands of the BU program. Initially I believed that many of the reviews regarding the time commitment for the program might have been exaggerated. The time involved in this is huge. That is if you want to be successful.

There is a little more than two weeks left in the program. Yes, I am still in it. I cannot say that the course was easy. It was not. The instructors want you to succeed but you are working completely on your own.

Was it worth it? Yes, I feel that I will be a better genealogist if I continue to use the methods and practiced that are taught in the course. I am still hoping for that sheepskin.

BU Certificate in Genealogy Online Program : Week 5 Review

 This post will be very short. Feedback was received from an individual stating that reviews on the Boston University genealogy course should be written after the course is complete. So my posts may become sporadic. Week 5 is now complete. An advanced assignment on DNA was due Sunday which was difficult in my estimation. 

The second module begins today. It will consist of three weeks of study. The topic of this section is called "Evidence, Evaluation, and Documentation." Readings for this week will include articles from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Genealogy Standards, and Professional Genealogy.

Take-a-way for last week.

• Know your DNA test kits; Y-DNA and mtDNA very well. Not simply that Y-DNA traces the direct male paternal line and that mtDNA traces the direct female line. Know the specific uses and limitations of each kit and how to interpret the results. Read up on mutations, genetic distances, STRs and SNPs, haplogroups, and subclades.

BU Certificate in Genealogy Online Program : Week 4 Review

 At the end of week four I had redemption. My assignment for the previous week was graded and I did very well. I was very happy and relieved from the following week's crash and burn. The project for week four included researching and studying various passenger manifests. We also had to correlate data found in those documents with other documents that were provided. There was a lot of research and document analysis for last week's assignment.

As I begin week five it is very noticeable that the amount of reading has dramatically increased. We will be reading an article from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, one chapter in Professional Genealogy, and five chapters in The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy. There will be the usual discussion post and an assignment on DNA due this coming Sunday night.

This appears to be an enormous amount of reading. Especially if the student is working full-time. Living in the Northeast we have major snow and ice storms supposedly rolling in. I suggest that the student budget his or her time very wisely to successfully get through this week.

BU Certificate in Genealogy Online Program : Week 3 Review

Week 3 is in the books now. This course is a lot of work. Make no mistake about it. Unfortunately for me, my assignment for week two was not as well received as the week before. Lesson learned on my part! Major take-a-way: pay attention to the smallest details! As one instructor mentioned in an online classroom video, "the smallest details can make or break your research in genealogy."

Each week there is plenty of reading from journal articles, our couse textbooks Genealogy Standards, and Professional Genealogy. There will always be a discussion question where you write an original post and then also respond to at least two other students' posts. And the weekly graded assignment.

This week's take-a-ways:

• Pay attention to all of the details, both large and small. Overlook nothing! I learned this lesson. Learn from my mistake.
• If you are unsure, simply ask a question.
• Schedule your time. You cannot do all of the readings and assignments in one day or night. That is impossible.

BU Certificate in Genealogy Online Program : Week 2 Review

 Week 2 of the Boston University online course is wrapped up. I made it through! Grading for the first assignment was posted over the weekend. I did very well. Let's hope that last week's assignment goes as well.

Again, the actual assignments will not be discussed in detail. This week we studied correlation of records for similarities and conflicts among the records. Similar to last week; another question was posed for a discussion topic. We had to write an original post and the respond to at least two other students' posts.

Required reading for the week increased compared to Week 1. Our written assignment focused on utilizing records where data is inconsistent, writing a biographical draft, and developing a sketch for future research.

To reiterate some of last week's take-a-ways:

• Set a schedule and follow it so that you do not fall behind for your readings and assignments. As the course progresses, readings are becoming more involved and so are the assignments.
• Make sure that you understand the question! Ask the instructors if you are not sure!

• A new take-a-way is now that we are going to be doing more genealogical writing; we need to grammatically write with our English skills that we learned possibly a long-time ago. Genealogy is all about writing. Telling stories, explaining, and documenting your research goes so much further than simply listing names, dates, and places. Learn to use and like spell check. Use a thesaurus so that you are using different word. Do not simply recycle the same word over and over. Use commas and periods to break up your sentences.

So far I am happy with my decision to take this course. I feel that it will hone my existing skills and I will learn new skills and techniques. My readings are calling me...

BU Certificate in Genealogy Online Program : Week 1 Review

 Although lately my posts have been spotty and not regular, for the next 14 weeks I will attempt to give a very brief synopsis for the week's events being enrolled in the BU program. Actual assignments will not be discussed.

Week One is down. Overall reading was relatively light. An original discussion topic was required to be posted by each student and the students were also required to respond to other students' posts. A semi lengthy research assignment where you needed to utilize genealogical research and thinking skills was also due.

After week one, take-a-ways to pass on to any genealogists who may be considering taking this online course are:

• Before enrolling, think hard whether or not if you have the time to invest on reading and completing assignments. The course is expensive. An estimation of mine is that I spent close to twenty hours' worth of time on this week's experience.
• Set up a schedule to do the above. Make a plan and then work the plan. I will re-iterate the words of a former college professor that I had years ago, "No one plans to fail. They simply fail to plan."
• When working on assignments. Make sure to read ALL of the directions and instructions that are provided. 
• Students do independent work. Assignments are due weekly by a set date and time. 
• Take your time and read. Read slowly. Ingest and then digest the material that you read. If you skim read, you will miss something important. 
• If you have questions, contact the instructors. They are very willing to help. They want you to succeed!
• Most importantly, have fun! I need to get back to reading...

Boston University Certificate in Genealogy Program

 Beginning mid January 2019 my plan is to enroll in the online genealogy program at Boston University. After a rigorous 15 week course successful students are awarded a Certificate in Genealogical Research. Prospective students should be aware that this course does NOT indicate that they are now a "Certified Genealogist." Although I have not posted regularly due to other commitments, this will be a huge time obligation considering that I work full-time. So my posts will be sparser. My goal is to successfully complete the course so that I can learn more and also fine tune my existing research and writing skills. 

 Details on the Certificate in Genealogical Research program:

• Cost: $2695, yes it is expensive. Members of AAHGS, APG, NEHGS, NGS, NYG&B, & SCGS receive a 10% tuition discount.

• Course Length: 15 weeks

• Required Reading: Professional Genealogy, by Elizabeth Shown Mills; Mastering Genealogical Documentation, by Thomas W. Jones; Genealogy Standards, by Board of Certification of Genealogists; and The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, by Blaine T. Bettinger.

• Course Program (Modules): 
• Evidence, Evaluation, and Documentation (4 weeks)
• Forensic Genealogy (4 weeks)
• Genealogical Methods (5 weeks)
• Genealogy as a Profession (2 weeks)

• Instructors: Are nationally renowned experts in the field of genealogy. See their bios.

• Semesters: Offered Spring, Summer, & Fall semesters.

 Each week I plan to write a brief review on how the course is going (unless I am told no disclosures until after the program is finished). Reviews that I have read state that the program is extremely intensive and very comparable to a graduate level college course. Let it be known that students do not gain college level credits that can be applied towards a formal degree. Former students stated that they spent between 25 and 40 hours each week on reading and assignments.