Genealogy Studies Program

Genealogy Studies

Genealogical Principles Course

Length of course: 7 weeks
Next session begins: May 7, 2024

Ideal for enthusiasts seeking to hone their research skills, this course is also an excellent first step toward our certificate program.

  • Define terms and understand best practices
  • Use public records and optimize searches
  • Follow the Genealogical Proof Standard
  • 10-16 hours per week

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Genealogy Practicum Course — NEW!

Length of course: 7 weeks
Next session begins: July 2, 2024

Learn essential skills and gain hands-on research experience creating important genealogical work products, such as research plans, logs, compiled genealogies, proof discussions, and research reports.

  • Learn how to develop key genealogical work products by working on real-world cases
  • Hone skills in planning and executing research, organizing familial relationships, documenting kinship, proving conclusions, and compiling research results
  • 12-14 hours per week

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Certificate in Genealogical Research

Length of course: 15 weeks
Next session begins: May 7, 2024

Whether you are a highly-experienced hobbyist, budding professional, or an advanced researcher this rigorous program will challenge you to advance your skill set. The Certificate in Genealogical Research course is Boston University’s flagship course, which has been running since 2009 and is frequently updated to respond to new trends, sources, and methods within the genealogy field. Newly updated in 2023, the latest version of the course incorporates additional coursework on using DNA as a genealogical source, incorporates the field’s most up to date genealogy standards, and adds new additional forensic genealogy course content. The course is excellent preparation for those pursuing certification with the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) or accreditation with the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen).

  • Become more effective in research planning, analysis and correlation
  • Understand how to use DNA as a genealogical source in family history research and forensic genealogy
  • Understand documentation and citation practices in the genealogy field
  • Deliver accurate and professional written genealogical work
  • 20-30 hours per week

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Boston University’s genealogy courses are asynchronous, meaning classes do not meet at a scheduled time. Rather, you will learn and access course materials on your own schedule, while maintaining the pace of the course, offering you greater learning flexibility.

Combine the convenience of online learning with expert instruction to help you gain skills to set you apart in this growing field. Work with noted Boston University instructors, including Certified Genealogists and practicing professionals in the genealogy field.

Our online courses offer:

  • Flexible online format that lets you learn from any location at a time that is convenient for you
  • Supportive learning environment incorporating BU’s course content, external reading material, interactive exercises, assignments, assessments, discussion boards, lectures, live classrooms, and office hours (these activities vary by course)
  • Opportunities to interact with peers and expand your professional network
  • Affordable pricing and payment options

View the recorded webinar with Program Director and professional genealogist, Melissa Johnson, CG as she answers questions from the live audience pertaining to BU’s online courses and shares tips on practicing genealogy research at home.



To learn more, contact an Enrollment Advisor at 617-502-8822 or complete the form below.

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