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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 Spring Certificate Program will close December 17, 2023. Accepted applicants will be notified by January 12, 2024.

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

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

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. The application period for the Spring Certificate Program will close December 17, 2023. Accepted applicants will be notified by January 12, 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. 5 additional students will be placed on a waiting list and notified if space becomes available.