Become a Genealogist
In this part-time online Professional Genealogist Certificate Course, you will learn how to become a genealogist, including important principles and practical step-by-step techniques for getting started in a career as a professional genealogist.
What Happens in the Genealogist Certificate Course
The Genealogist Certificate course is an online learning program with suggested readings from the textbook (IAP Career College Guide to Become a Genealogist). This course is self directed, which means you may study and complete assignments at times that are most convenient for you from the comfort of your own home. In this course, you will learn everything you need to know about how to become a genealogist.
This part-time Genealogist Certificate Course has a recommended completion date of 6 weeks from the start of the program, however, you may choose to complete the course in as little as 4 weeks or as long as 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.
The Genealogist Certificate Course Online has been created to allow you to complete it without any teaching assistance. However, if you have questions or need assistance, you can receive help from a Faculty Member throughout the 6 weeks of the course. Your Faculty Member is a valuable resource person who can provide you with personal teaching assistance to help you succeed in the course and advice to help you succeed in the career.
Course Topics
The Genealogist Certificate Course has been developed to meet high academic standards, ensuring that as a graduate you can display with pride the Genealogist Certificate you will earn from the International Association of Professions Career College. Through this course, you will learn how to become a genealogist.
Topics covered in the Genealogist Certificate Course include the following:
Overview of the Genealogy Career
- What is a Genealogist and Why Do People Hire One?
- Information Gathering and Initial Clues
- Using Census, Cemetery and Other Sources of Information
- Genealogical Software
- Taking Notes, Citing Sources, Compiling Data
- Finalizing and Preparing Reports and Charts
Starting Your Genealogy Business
- Honing and Developing Your Skills
- Gaining Experience and Knowledge
- Your Business Plan
- Start-Up Budgeting and Funding
- Choosing a Name and Niche
- Negotiating Contracts and Setting Fees
Marketing Your Genealogy Business
- Marketing Tools Including Portfolio, Brochures and Website
- Advertising and Free Publicity
- Meeting with Prospective Clients and Preparing Proposals
- Getting Repeat Business and Referrals
What Is Included in the Genealogist Certificate Course
This all-inclusive Genealogist Certificate Course package includes:
- Registration for the Genealogist Certificate Course
- Access to a Faculty Member to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice
- (Optional) 2023-2024 membership in the IAPO International Organization of Business Professionals for only $2.99 per month
- Downloadable Genealogist Certificate personalized with your name and the seal of the International Association of Professions Career College which you may print
- (Optional) Opportunity to order official certificates printed on fine linen paper and embossed with the gold seal of the college
- Textbook: IAP Career College Guide to Become a Genealogist (e-book edition)

Register for the Genealogist Certificate Course
HOLIDAY SEASON SPECIAL
It’s easy to change or cancel your course registration. See our FAQ page for details.
You can have all this for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other programs. (We found courses based on old editions of our guides with registration fees of up to $999 and more.) We are able to offer you online courses at a significantly lower cost to you because of our expertise from over 20 years of producing the leading online guides for non-traditional careers.
Our online certificate courses have previously been offered for a registration fee of $297 U.S. and include a textbook and professional membership – a total value of almost $377.
HOLIDAY SEASON SPECIAL: This all-inclusive registration package for the Genealogist Certificate Course is priced as only $149.00 for the December 11, 2023 course.
Register today for the Genealogist Certificate Course. Enrollment is limited and registration is on a first come first served basis, so we recommend that you register early for the Genealogist Certificate Course online to avoid disappointment.
If the course is full, please email support@iapcollege.com to be notified when a new course date is scheduled.
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How Much Do Genealogists Make?
Professional genealogists can earn $35 to $100 or more per hour. Many factors go into determining fees, including your experience, geographic location, specialization, and type of client. For example, institutional or corporate clients looking for certain types of historical proofs that a genealogist can uncover typically pay more than individual researchers looking for their own roots. In many cases, however, the annual income for a professional genealogist is limited only by the individual genealogist’s initiative and drive.
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What Does a Genealogist Do?
As a genealogist, you get paid to research family histories, helping people to discover their own family history and find long-lost relatives. You’ll be a history detective solving age-old mysteries, offering valued services, and reconnecting people to their own families’ pasts. You might even reveal new facts about famous — and infamous — historical people and achieve recognition by becoming a consultant to film and television productions, writing books or giving talks about your research.
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How Do You Become a Genealogist?
Earning a certificate as a genealogist will equip you with the principles and techniques for becoming a professional genealogist. A certificate also provides evidence of your expertise, assurance of your professionalism, an important credential for your resume, a competitive advantage when marketing your services and higher earnings (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
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What is the Genealogist Certificate Course?
In IAP Career College’s part-time online Genealogist Certificate Course you will learn important principles and practical step-by-step techniques for getting started in a career as a professional genealogist. This online course has a recommended completion date of 6 weeks, however it may be completed in as little as 4 weeks or as long as 12 weeks. The course has been created to allow you to complete it without any teaching assistance, however as a student you have access to Faculty Members to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice.
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What is IAP Career College?
The International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College) is a leading online career college offering affordable online certificate courses and professional certifications for non-traditional and "dream" careers. When you take a part-time online certificate course with IAP Career College, you can schedule your learning around your life - you can work at your own pace, at the best times for you and from the comfort of your own home. IAP Career College and affiliated company FabJob Inc (the leading online publisher of guide books on how to get started in a dream career) have served over half a million career changers on six continents since 1999.