Certification Practicum

Unique techniques are provided throughout the program that maximize learning. These include:

• Utilization of a “common" research subject for the first case study and kinship determination project.
• Peer review techniques to isolate concepts, case study, citations, sources, analysis, and more.
• Application of BCG rubrics to each appropriate assignment.

You will receive individual feedback from the mentor on the assignments as noted in the calendar. This feedback will be posted in an open forum so that other students will be able to access it if desired. An example of the Common Case Study will also be provided for you to compare against your own.

Jan Joyce, DBA, CG, CGL, AG is the instructor for the Certification Practicum. Jan is the founder and mentor of the program. She manages the ProGen Study Groups, teaches at genealogy institutes, created the Doc Work Workshop and loves researching and writing for her own family.

• Time: A significant time commitment is required. Students spend between 15 and 65 hours for each assignment. Assignment cycles vary between 4 and 7 weeks. Thus, plan on up to eight hours a week on average.    
• Commitment: Dedication to this educational opportunity is required. It is suggested that no other major commitments are on your calendar.
• Recommendation:  A recommendation from a ProGen mentor, a ProGen coordinator, or other industry professional is required for program acceptance.
• ProGen: Students who have completed ProGen and GenProof are preferred candidates. However, other educational experiences plus an acceptable writing sample will be considered in lieu of these prerequisites.
• Attendance: Review the calendar. You must be able to attend all of the planned meetings.
• Attitude: A great attitude and flexibility go a long way in this program. 
• Work Level: Your work sample must meet educational and experiential requirements that will make you, and your peers, successful in this program. This will be assessed in advance of matriculation.
• Certification: Your goal is to become certified.

If you are accepted into the program, these pre-program activities are required:

• Identify your own research subject(s) for your Case Study and Kinship Determination Project. Use ProGen assignments if possible; there is not enough time to do new research. The assignments must meet the requirements of the BCG Application Guide, so confirm yours do. For example, the Case Study must be a question of significance usually regarding identity, relationship, or activity.
• Begin reviewing documents for the common assignments.
• Become familiar with the BCG Application Guide and Rubrics and Genealogy Standards.

• Assignments are due on Saturdays (see orange shading on calendar).
• Peer feedback is due the following Saturday (see green shading on calendar).
• Meetings are mandatory and will occur on Tuesdays as per the calendar (see yellow shading).
• Tuesday meetings begin at 12 noon ET / 9 am PT and may take up to 2 hours.
• See below for a downloadable program calendar.

• The cost of the program is $625.
• No refunds will be given after the student has committed to the program if the student drops out.
• If the enrolled student does not perform to expectations for any reason and is asked to leave the program mid-term, a portion of the program enrollment costs will be refunded, calculated as follows: $200 non-refundable. Remaining balance prorated by the number of assignments completed.