Organizations/Programs
BCG®
The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) is a certifying body for genealogists with two categories of certification: Certified Genealogist® and Certified Genealogical Lecturer®. The BCG Application Guide outlines the certification process, which includes a preliminary application and a final application that includes submission of a portfolio demonstrating one's genealogical skills. The certification process examines the following skills:
- understanding research sources and methods
- planning, executing, and reporting the results of research
- citing sources
- evaluating evidence
- proving kinship
- resolving genealogical problems
The BCG has several publications and a learning center that helps prepare aspiring certificate holders for the certification process.
NGS®
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is a non-profit organization that fosters the genealogical community through education, training, publications, and conferences. I joined this organization several years ago and find it invaluable. Membership includes skills courses, magazines that come out periodically, and discounts on conferences that are packed full of more information than one can possibly take in. A bonus — the folks you interface with are just about the nicest and most helpful people I've ever encountered.
APG
The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) is an international membership organization of promoting professional genealogists. Membership benefits include publications, conferences, professional development, and webinars. I am not a member of this organization, so can't speak to it personally.
American Ancestors
American Ancestors is absolutely amazing! It is billed as America's founding genealogical organization (founded in 1845!) and the most respected name in family history. It is a membership organization that includes a limited free guest membership. They have databases, special collections, consultant services, a learning center, a library, a bookstore, lectures — you name it, they have it. I've attended several of their free webinars and always find them fascinating and extremely helpful.
Boston University Genealogy Studies Program
I can't say enough good things about the Boston University Genealogy Studies Program. It's intense and fast-paced, but through this certification program, you are trained by the best in their field, and the learning doesn't stop there. Being a graduate of this program means you're part of a family that continues to interact and support each other through Google groups and other social media. And when you run into someone at a conference who went through this program, you have no idea how you're greeted! There is an introductory 7-week course called Genealogical Principles. It's very elementary, but I'm glad I took it, as it sets you up perfectly for the full course — Certificate in Genealogical Research. I'm as proud of this certificate as I am of my high school, college, master's, and post graduate degrees.
University of Strathclyde Glasgow Certificate — Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree
I had so much fun in the Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree course offered through FutureLearn by the University of Strathclyde Glasgow! It's a free online course, or, if you want the certificate, you pay a fee and satisfy the certificate criteria. Tahitia McCabe was the instructor in the course I took: it would be a dream to study under her in the full MSc in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies program.