The Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Certificate Program
Thank you for your interest in the Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) program at Ramapo College of New Jersey. This program is an entry-level course in the practical application of IGG on investigative cases. Due to the sensitive nature of the work in this program, students will be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement and maintain privacy and security practices as determined by Ramapo College of New Jersey.
The IGG Certificate Program is designed to teach students how to work an IGG case from beginning to end. In addition to the skills required for practical IGG work, students will learn how to effectively communicate with investigating agencies and forensic DNA labs to ensure a successful workflow. Students will then apply their skills by working on a real, unsolved IGG case involving unidentified human remains.
The application period for the Spring Certificate Program will close December 17, 2023. Accepted applicants will be notified by January 12, 2024.
Program Costs:
Program Participation Requirements:
- Completion of a writing sample (see details below)
- Ancestry.com account with all-access subscription
- GEDmatch tier 1 subscription
Recommendations (optional):
- Completion of a direct-to-consumer DNA test (23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA)
Virtual classes for daytime/Europe section will be held on the following dates and times:
- Monday, February 26, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, February 29, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, March 4, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, March 7, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, March 11, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, March 14, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, March 18, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, March 21, 1-2:30pm ET
- Week of March 25 – Break, No class
- Monday, April 1, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, April 4, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, April 8, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, April 11, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, April 15, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, April 18, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, April 22, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, April 25, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, April 29, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, May 2, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, May 6, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, May 9, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, May 13, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, May 16, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, May 20, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, May 23, 1-2:30pm ET
- Tuesday, May 28, 1-2:30pm ET (Class held Tuesday d/t Memorial Day)
- Thursday, May 30, 1-2:30pm ET
- Monday, June 3, 1-2:30pm ET
- Thursday, June 6, 1-2:30pm ET
Virtual classes for evening section will be held on the following dates and times:
- Monday, February 26, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, February 29, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, March 4, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, March 7, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, March 11, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, March 14, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, March 18, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, March 21, 7-8:30pm ET
- Week of March 25 – Break, No class
- Monday, April 1, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, April 4, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, April 8, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, April 11, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, April 15, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, April 18, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, April 22, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, April 25, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, April 29, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, May 2, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, May 6, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, May 9, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, May 13, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, May 16, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, May 20, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, May 23, 7-8:30pm ET
- Tuesday, May 28, 7-8:30pm ET (Class held Tuesday d/t Memorial Day)
- Thursday, May 30, 7-8:30pm ET
- Monday, June 3, 7-8:30pm ET
- Thursday, June 6, 7-8:30pm ET
To earn the IGG Certificate, you must attend at least 90% of all scheduled virtual classes, complete all assigned work with at least an 80% average grade, and adhere to the non-disclosure agreement and privacy and cybersecurity practices designated by Ramapo College.
Application Form
Program is capped at 20 students. 5 additional students will be placed on a waiting list and notified if space becomes available.
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