Certificates Certifications and Degrees: they are all the same thing…right?

It seems that there is some confusion in the world concerning credentials for genealogists.  Hard to believe isn’t it, but, never the less I had the unfortunate experience of going through a credentialing nightmare, more than once.  After I shared my experience with a few friends I noticed a startling trend.  They all had also experienced the same thing: having a group they spoke to assume they were something they were not.

Honestly, it wasn’t like I tried to hoodwink anyone.  I was booked to speak at a local community lecture series along with a variety of other speakers from other backgrounds.  The organizer asked that I provide my name as I wanted it printed and a short biography.  No problem!  Then I saw the program “Shannon Combs-Bennett, Certified Professional Genealogist.”  I called and explained that I am not I felt uncomfortable with that label. The certification groups here in the US were proprietary and if they wanted to show I was "for real" to use the credentials (QG, PLCGS) listed in my email signature.  That should be it, right?

Well, it wasn’t.  Three days before the lecture I was sent a printed copy of the program.  There, in big letters “Shannon Combs-Bennet, Certified Genealogist.”  The blood drained from my face.  I called the organizer, she truly didn’t understand what the problem was.  I understood, the coordinator was not in the field and was not sure why I was complaining.  What made it worse, the woman who created the program is a genealogist and knows me.  She told the program coordinator that I was a Certified Genealogist because she remembers when I took the Boston University program and thought that meant I earned a certification.  Oh dear, what a big misunderstanding.

The more people I talk to the more I found confusion and uncertainty concerning certificates, certifications, credentials, and the like within our community.  While I don’t believe anyone in the community intentional tries to hoodwink anyone else if you are not “in the know” it does get quite confusing. 

To try and explain all the possible variations a person in the genealogical world could come across I have listed the alphabet soup you may see on a name badge or lecture handout.  In addition, I threw in common certificate programs that get confused with professional certifications.

You may see the abbreviations MA, MS, or MSc on someone’s name tag or credentials.  An MS and an MSc are both Master of Science and an MA is a Master of Arts.  We have a diverse group of people in the world of genealogy and many speakers have obtained advanced degrees (including Ph.D.).  They have the right to show it off, particularly if it is in a discipline that directly impacts genealogy research such as history or library science.

The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) is based out of Washington, DC. They are probably the most well know certification body and award the Certified Genealogist (C.G.) credentials to those who successfully complete the qualification process.  BCG also offers a certification in lecturing resulting in a CGL standing for Certified Genealogical Lecturer.

The International Commission for the Accreditation of Genealogists (ICAPGen) is based in Orem, Utah.  It awards an Accredited Genealogist (A.G.) credential to those who successfully complete the qualification process.  Their process focusses on regional certification allowing one person to hold multiple certifications in different areas.  

Brigham Young University offers a Bachelor degree and a minor in family history and Brigham Young University-Idaho offers an Applied Associates (AAS) degree in Family History Research. As a University program, you now have a degree behind your work.  While not a certification, a degree can be more beneficial in the minds of those looking to make this a career.  You may seem more qualified in the eyes of an employer than a person who is self-taught.

The University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow, Scotland, has several programs for students:

·       On-campus and online 8-week beginning course on genealogy.

·       A certificate and diploma in genealogy primarily designed for those who have never gone to a university before and need to get their feet wet in an academic setting.

·       A Master of Science (MSc) in Genealogical, Paleographic, and Heraldic Studies.

The University of Dundee, in Dundee, Scotland, offers several programs that you can choose from as well:

·       Non-accredited short term courses to give you an introduction to family history.

·       Several accredited courses to help develop your expertise in a specific part of genealogy such as.

·       A certificate and diploma option.

·       A Master of Literature (MLitt), in research.

From Boston University you can earn a Certificate in Genealogical Research through their 15 week online program.  It is an intense program that is similar to a graduate school course in nature.

Another certificate program is the National Institute for Genealogical Studies.  You can take courses al a carte from their course catalog or you can actively pursue one of their 10 certificates.  Upon completion, you are awarded a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) and can use the abbreviation after your name.  The 10 programs currently offered are:

• American Records Certificate
• Australian Records Certificate
• Canadian Records Certificate
• English Records Certificate
• German Records Certificate
• Irish Records Certificate
• Librarianship Certificate
• Methodology Certificate
• Professional Development Certificate
• Scottish Records Certificate

Finally, there are a variety of weeklong institutes that you can attend which offer certificates of completion for attending.  These intensive all-day seminars are wonderful ways to jump your education to the next level.  If you have a chance to attend them I would recommend it!  They are:

·   Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)

·   Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research (IGHR)

·   Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI)

·   Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed, formerly NIGR)

·   Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)

Hopefully, this not only demonstrated the vast array of programs available, but also what is and is not, considered certification.  While it can be confusing just remember when in doubt ask the person.  No one is going to be upset if you need clarification.  In fact, they should be relieved that you want to make sure you get their introduction right.  After all, they don’t want to tell a group of 75 people they are not a CG.  Which is now on my list of least favorite things I have done as a lecturer.