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IGG Certificate Program

Contact

IGG Center

Ramapo College

505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, New Jersey 07430

e: igg@ramapo.edu

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 Fall 2024 Certificate Program will close May 19, 2024. Accepted applicants will be notified by June 7, 2024. Program dates for Fall 2024 are being determined and will be updated shortly.

Program Costs:

  • Tuition: $6,000

Program Participation Requirements:

  • Completion of a writing sample (see details below)
  • Ancestry.com account with all-access subscription
  • GEDmatch tier 1 subscription
  • DNA Painter subscription

Recommendations (optional):

  • Completion of a direct-to-consumer DNA test (23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA)
Virtual classes for the Fall 2024 daytime/Europe section will be held on the following dates and times:
  • Monday, August 26, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, August 29, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Tuesday, September 3, 1-2:30pm ET (class held Tuesday due to Labor Day)
  • Thursday, September 5, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, September 9, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, September 12, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, September 16, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, September 19, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Week of September 23 – No Live Class
  • Monday, September 30, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 3, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, October 7, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 10, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, October 14, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 17, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, October 21, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 24, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, October 28, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 31, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, November 4, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, November 7, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Tuesday, November 12, 1-2:30pm ET (class held Tuesday due to Veteran’s Day)
  • Thursday, November 14, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, November 18, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, November 21, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Monday, November 25, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Wednesday, November 27, 1-2:30pm ET – optional class, American Thanksgiving week
  • Monday, December 2, 1-2:30pm ET
  • Thursday, December 5, 1-2:30pm ET
Virtual classes for the Fall 2024 evening section will be held on the following dates and times:
  • Monday, August 26, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, August 29, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Tuesday, September 3, 7-8:30pm ET (class held Tuesday due to Labor Day)
  • Thursday, September 5, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, September 9, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, September 12, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, September 16, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, September 19, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Week of September 23 – No Live Class
  • Monday, September 30, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 3, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, October 7, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 10, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, October 14, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 17, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, October 21, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 24, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, October 28, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, October 31, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, November 4, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, November 7, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Tuesday, November 12, 7-8:30pm ET (class held Tuesday due to Veteran’s Day)
  • Thursday, November 14, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, November 18, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, November 21, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Monday, November 25, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Wednesday, November 27, 7-8:30pm ET – optional class, American Thanksgiving week
  • Monday, December 2, 7-8:30pm ET
  • Thursday, December 5, 7-8:30pm ET

To earn the IGG Certificate, you must attend at least 90% of all scheduled virtual classes with webcam on, 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 IGG Center.

Application Form

Note 1/12/2024: The evening section of the IGG Certificate Program consistently receives a higher number of applicants than the day section. If you are able to attend either day or evening, our team recommends applying for the day section of the program.

Application Form
Which section are you applying for?
I agree to sign a nondisclosure agreement and follow privacy and cybersecurity practices, as designated by Ramapo College of New Jersey to participate in this program.
I understand I must attend at least 90% of all scheduled virtual classes in order to be eligible to earn a certificate of completion for this program.
Please select whether any of the following apply to you:
How did you hear about the RCNJ IGG Certificate Program?

Writing Prompt:

Describe a time when you fervidly pursued a research project or went down a research “rabbit hole”.

Responses should be typed, 1-2 pages in length, in 12-pt font with 1-inch page margins. Please type your name, email address and the date of submission in the page header.

The purpose of the writing sample is to gauge applicants' aptitude for difficult research as well as to measure applicants' ability to follow written instructions. 

Maximum file size: 102.4MB

Maximum file size: 102.4MB

You will receive confirmation via email that your application was received. Applications for the Fall 2024 IGG Certificate Program will be accepted through May 19, 2024. Accepted applicants will be notified by June 7, 2024.

At the time of acceptance, a one-third nonrefundable tuition deposit will be required, with the additional two-thirds tuition due two weeks before the start of the course.

* Program cost becomes nonrefundable one week before the program start date

Program is capped at 20 students per section. 5 additional students will be placed on a waiting list and notified if space becomes available.