This review reflects my personal experience and is not intended to discourage continuing education. Every genealogist begins somewhere, and introductory courses can be a useful first step.
In genealogy, there is often confusion between earning a certificate and becoming a Certified Genealogist®. These are two entirely different accomplishments.
When hiring a professional genealogist, clients should understand the difference because genealogical conclusions often involve complex analysis, conflicting evidence, and written reports that may be used for lineage societies, legal matters, or written family histories. A certificate of completion does not necessarily indicate proficiency in these skills.
A Certified Genealogist® (CG®) is someone who has earned a credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists. To obtain this credential, a genealogist must demonstrate proficiency by completing a portfolio that includes several components, such as a research report and a case study. The portfolio is reviewed by a panel of judges who determine whether the applicant’s work meets the standards required for certification. In addition, the CG® must submit a renewal portfolio every five years to maintain the credential.
On the other hand, earning a certificate simply means that a genealogist has completed a course that issues a certificate of completion. The certificate documents participation in and completion of the course; it is not a professional credential and does not confer any special designation.
I have noticed numerous instances in which individuals who completed the “Become a Genealogist” program through IAP Career College have described themselves as “certified genealogists.” This is incorrect.
Out of curiosity, I took the IAP Career College course so you don’t have to. Here is my review.
Structure
The course contains five modules: a basic introduction to genealogy; genealogy research and the services provided by professional genealogists; preparing to become a professional genealogist; business considerations; and marketing. Each module concludes with a short quiz. At the end of the course, students take a final examination consisting of fifty-one questions. A passing score is required to receive the certificate, and the final examination is the only graded component of the course. The passing score is 60 percent.
To be clear, all of these modules contain very basic information. In some cases, I would argue that the information presented is inaccurate or misleading regarding the realities of working as a professional genealogist.
Course Difficulty
For someone who is entirely new to genealogy, this course may present some challenges. However, as an experienced researcher, I barely read the course material and still passed all of the quizzes and the final examination.
The course provides no opportunities to practice genealogical methodology, evidence analysis, or report writing. There is no peer interaction, and there is little meaningful feedback from an instructor. While a few questions on the final examination may be reviewed by an individual, the quizzes and most of the exam questions are multiple-choice and graded automatically.
Simply put, there is not enough instruction in this course to prepare someone to work as a professional genealogist. However, at $149 (and often less during sales), it does provide a basic introduction to genealogy and some of the business considerations involved in the profession.
The Bottom Line
Completing this course does not make someone a Certified Genealogist®. Nor does it demonstrate professional-level competency in genealogical research, analysis, or writing.
If a genealogist’s primary qualification is the completion of this course, I would encourage prospective clients to ask additional questions about their experience, education, research methodology, writing skills, and professional affiliations before hiring them.
Certificate programs can be valuable educational experiences. However, a certificate of completion should not be confused with a professional credential earned through a rigorous evaluation process.