The National Institute for Genealogical Studies Offers Discount to Celebrate Anniversary

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies issued the following press release.

 

September 9, 2011

Next month The National Institute for Genealogical Studies (www.genealogicalstudies.com) marks its 12^th year of providing Internet courses to the genealogy community. In affiliation with the University of Toronto, the National Institute has been providing educational courses to genealogists, first in a classroom setting and then through the Internet since 1997. As part of the celebration of this milestone, the National Institute is offering a 12% discount on all course packages.

 

A leader in genealogical education for 14 years, when the National Institute began, the idea of providing genealogy courses was unique. It was two years later that an even more unique opportunity for students came when Internet courses were offered, a first of its kind. Louise St Denis, Managing Director of the National Institute reflects “We began the National Institute in 1997 to meet a need. To provide genealogy education that was affordable and could be done from home, allowing anyone who wanted to learn more about genealogical research that opportunity.”

No matter what your genealogical goals are from the beginning family historian looking to learn more about record types to the seasoned genealogist who needs to stretch their skills in analyzing complex problems to the professional looking for skill building courses, the National Institute has a course that will interest you. According to Beverly Rice, Director of Curriculum Development, “We have many new courses that will begin in 2012 that will enhance what the Institute currently provides. I’m really excited about our new skill building course track that will help genealogists learn to solve complex research problems.” With over 200 courses and growing in 9 certificate programs, the National Institute has something that will interest all genealogists.

 

Students and instructors from the National Institute come from all over the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England and Europe. The National Institute courses are helping these genealogists fulfill their personal and professional goals. Susan Michael, a National Institute alumni from North Carolina says, “ I am now a Board-certified genealogist. When I began working on my American Studies certificate that was my first step towards the goal of becoming a Certified Genealogist. I heartily recommend the Institute’s program as an excellent educational step towards professional-level genealogy.”

Hurry and Sign Up Today

This 12% discount offer ends October 4, 2011. Whether you are a current student or a perspective student looking into a course package, now is the time to take advantage of this 12^th anniversary discount.

About The National Institute for Genealogical Studies

The National Institute, leaders in online genealogy education, has been offering genealogy and history courses for over 12 years. We now offer over 200 courses in genealogical studies to help enhance researcher’s skills.

For those looking to acquire more formal educational training, The National Institute offers—in affiliation with the Continuing Education Unit of the University of St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto—Certificate Programs in the records of Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Scotland and the United States, as well as a General Methodology and a Librarianship Certificate Program.

For more information please call us toll-free in North America at 1-800-580-0165 or email us at admin@genealogicalstudies.com.

For more information:

Louise St Denis

www.genealogicalstudies.com

admin@genealogicalstudies.com

1-800-580-0165 (North American)

Pam White's Perspective on NIGS and BU Genealogy Certificate Programs

From time to time I will invite guest authors to share their experiences with different genealogy educational programs. Today the guest author is my good friend Pam White who has completed the certificate programs from The National Institute for Genealogical Studies and the the Boston University Center for Professional Education.

Pam White received a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies in American Records from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies and a Certificate in Genealogical Research from the Boston University Center for Professional Education. She is a volunteer genealogist with the Butler County Records Center & Archives in Hamilton, Ohio; and is president of the Butler County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Pam is the owner of Key Genealogy, LLC.

Pam's perspective on the certificate programs:

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies has 40-course certificate programs in American, Australian, Canadian, English, German (not yet complete), Irish and Scottish Records. They also offer a 14-course certificate in methodology and a 12-course certificate in librarianship. The various 40-course certificate programs share the same courses in methodology, paleography, genetics, electronic resources, and research from Family History Centers and FamilySearch. All offer three Analysis and Skill Mentoring courses in which the student completes assignments and has two 20-minute telephone chats with a mentor to discuss those assignments and ask any questions they might have.

The courses are pretty much self-paced. They are broken down into several week-long modules (most are 6 weeks) with reading and written assignments each week. There are usually two extra weeks one of which is an exam week. The exam is a multiple choice test which is completed online. You do not have to take the full 8 or more weeks allotted to complete the class. As soon as the assignments are submitted for week 1, the student has access to the material in week 2 so you can move at your own pace. There is not a great deal of interaction with the instructors, but the student can ask questions of an instructor via email. I did so twice with German electives but never received an answer. There are chats scheduled periodically for some of the courses and students can “talk” to an instructor and ask questions during the chats.

The material offered is very good and I have used the course material as a reference for my own research. This course is best suited for someone who is a self-starter and does not require much validation for their skills. There may be more interaction now. As I was finishing, they were just beginning to hold live meetings using webcams and they also have a web presence at www.genealogywise.com. Students may sign up for as few as one or two courses if they do not want to sign up for a full program. There are packages available to reduce the cost over individual courses.

The Certificate in Genealogical Research through Boston University is an excellent program. The course covers the following topics:

• Foundations of Genealogical Research
• Problem-Solving Techniques and Technology
• Evidence Evaluation and Documentation
• Forensic Genealogical Research
• Ethnic and Geographic Specialties
• Professional Genealogy

The course can be taken on site in Boston or online. I took the online course which lasted about 13 weeks. The course requires a commitment of time but is well worth the effort. It is advertised as “an interactive, multimedia course of study that serves as excellent preparation for those who seek certification through the Board for Certification of Genealogists,” and I definitely agree with that assessment.

There are assignments due each week, some of which are graded and critiqued by either the instructor or a teacher’s assistant. Other assignments are uploaded using BUs Blackboard software interface for all students to read and discuss. There is also an area for students to ask questions of the instructors who respond within a day.

It is hard to compare the two programs because they are very different. If you’re a beginner or intermediate genealogist, you might prefer the NIGS courses which would expose you to record groups that may be new to you. If you’re an intermediate to advanced genealogist who is thinking about certification, the Boston University program might be better suited for you. I learned a lot from both.

Spotlighting the National Institute of Genealogical Studies

This post was written by guest author Eileen Souza. I have asked some of my friends who have experience with different genealogy education programs to share their experience.

Spotlighting the National Institute of Genealogical Studies

By Eileen A. Souza

I have been participating in the National Institute of Genealogical Studies (NIGS) online program for almost three years.  NIGS works in affiliation with the Continuing Education Division of St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto in offering comprehensive genealogy courses and certificate programs. The web site is www.genealogicalstudies.com.  

The course work ranges from basic to advanced, with the lessons and homework becoming correspondingly more difficult.  I have been very challenged by this program and feel a sense of satisfaction as I progress through the various levels. I see the improvements in my own personal research and in my client work.  I would definitely recommend this program to others.  

I have completed my certificates in Basic and Intermediate Genealogical Studies for General Methodology and American Records and am working toward a Certificate in Genealogical Studies-American Records.  Once I complete this 40 course program, I will be able to use the post-nominal, PLCGS (Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies), after my name.

The instructors are dedicated genealogists who do an excellent job of knowledge transference. You can find the faculty list at http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/eng/leaders-staff.asp.

NGIS offers a Certificate in Genealogical Studies with a specialty in one of the following record types: American Records, Australian Records, Canadian Records, English Records, German Records, Irish Records, Scottish Records, General Methodology and Librarianship.  Details can be found at http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/eng/certificates.asp.   You may sign up for a certificate program or just take individual courses.  

Each course consists of reading and assignments for the student to complete. Assignments cover a range of problem-solving and analytical exercises and each course ends with a final exam. Assignments are generally submitted online and are graded along with the exam.

Each level of instruction has an analysis and skills mentoring course where you apply what you have learned to date and analyze a case study. This course provides for two appointments with your instructor to obtain feedback on your progress.  

There are numerous live “chats” held every month and you may attend as many as you wish in any of the courses.  Recently, the Institute switched the chats to Microsoft’s LiveMeeting. This is a very exciting option as the instructor can now present/teach during the session and with webcams you can see the instructor and fellow students.

All in all, I believe that NIGS courses are instructive, challenging and cost-effective alternatives for the continuing education of genealogists. 

Eileen Souza is finishing the ProGen Study Program this month in the ProGen 4 group. She can be contacted at eileen.souza@gmail.com or www.oldbonesgenealogy.com