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Course Description

Genealogical Principles includes an asynchronous curriculum with graded work over seven weeks:

Week One

Do you understand the significance of sources, information, and evidence? Understand genealogy as a discipline, standards in the field, and the elements studying the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS).

Week Two

What data from frequently-used genealogical sources should you trust? Recognize and analyze conflicting information. Understand how to make connections within families.

Week Three

Work with a published source, understand citations, and correlate information to resolve questions of identity.

Week Four

Begin to understand what it takes to develop a convincing proof argument. Examine a well-cited article that meets all standards.

Week Five

What can you learn from free and paid websites? Discuss an identity problem and its solution with records created by newly freed people after the Civil War. Learn how to transcribe and abstract.

Week Six

Develop research plans and timelines, understand the use of research logs, and evaluate a written report to determine if it meets genealogy standards.

Week Seven

Introduction to DNA and ethnicity. Understand the different DNA testing sites, ethnicity results, types of DNA tests, and ethics surrounding the use of genetic genealogy.

Testimonials

I’m so grateful for this course. The instructors and their assistants provided really helpful guidance, and my fellow students also shared tips along the way. I can’t wait to apply these techniques to my ongoing research.

Leslie Plant, Genealogical Principles Course, 2024

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Section Title
Genealogical Principles
Type
Online, fixed date
Dates
Jul 01, 2025 to Aug 18, 2025
Delivery Options
Cohort Online  
Course Fee(s)
OGEN Tuition non-credit $995.00 Click here to get more information
Potential Discount(s)
Reading List / Textbook

All required texts are listed below.

To order your books, please use the BU Bookstore.  
 
- Start on the “Find Course Materials” page
- Select Summer 2025 from the Term menu

  • Please note: You must select On Campus even though your course is online. This is how the BU Bookstore lists CPE courses

- Select CPE GEN from the Department menu  

  • This menu is alphabetical. CPE is directly below COM

- Select 150 in the Course menu
- Select OL in the Section menu
- Click Retrieve Materials

Section Notes

The Genealogical Principles course utilizes our Online Campus (Blackboard) for all course content. Students enrolled in Online Campus will see two courses – Orientation and Genealogical Principles – on their Courses Dashboard on the day each course opens. 
 
Orientation will open and appear on the Online Campus Courses Dashboard on June 24 at 10:00am ET. Orientation is designed to help you navigate Online Campus, submit assignments and assessments, post to Discussion Boards, and communicate with your instructors. Orientation is mandatory and must be completed before you begin your course. 
 
NOTE: Orientation is not program specific. Students registered in CPE programs are enrolled in Orientation together. 
 
Your Genealogical Principles course will open and appear on the Courses Dashboard in Online Campus on July 1 at 10:00am ET.  
 
You will receive additional information on creating your Boston University account and accessing Online Campus once you have successfully registered for a course. The email you use to register for a course will be your username for your BU account. Please create your account and complete orientation before your course start date. 
 
When enrolling in the Genealogical Principles course you will be asked about any prior affiliation with Boston University. You must complete the Prior Affiliation section of the registration form. Any prior affiliation with Boston University that is not noted in your registration can prevent access to Online Campus when your course opens. 

Section Materials
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy: Use the Web to trace your roots, share your history, and create a family tree by Kimberly Powell 3 edition ISBN 978-1440570681
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger © 2019 Family Tree Books 2 edition ISBN 978-1440300578
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Genealogy Standards by Board for Certification of Genealogists 2 edition ISBN 978-1684423521
Section Title
Genealogical Principles
Type
Online, fixed date
Dates
Sep 02, 2025 to Oct 20, 2025
Delivery Options
Cohort Online  
Course Fee(s)
OGEN Tuition non-credit $995.00 Click here to get more information
Reading List / Textbook

All required texts are listed below.

To order your books, please use the BU Bookstore.  
 
- Start on the “Find Course Materials” page
- Select Fall '25 On Campus from the Term menu

  • Please note: You must select On Campus even though your course is online. This is how the BU Bookstore lists CPE courses

- Select CPE GEN from the Department menu  

  • This menu is alphabetical. CPE is directly below COM

- Select 150 in the Course menu
- Select OL in the Section menu
- Click Retrieve Materials

Section Notes

The Genealogical Principles course utilizes our Online Campus (Blackboard) for all course content. Students enrolled in Online Campus will see two courses – Orientation and Genealogical Principles – on their Courses Dashboard on the day each course opens. 
 
Orientation will open and appear on the Online Campus Courses Dashboard on September 26 at 10:00am ET. Orientation is designed to help you navigate Online Campus, submit assignments and assessments, post to Discussion Boards, and communicate with your instructors. Orientation is mandatory and must be completed before you begin your course. 
 
NOTE: Orientation is not program specific. Students registered in CPE programs are enrolled in Orientation together. 
 
Your Genealogical Principles course will open and appear on the Courses Dashboard in Online Campus on September 2 at 10:00am ET.  
 
You will receive additional information on creating your Boston University account and accessing Online Campus once you have successfully registered for a course. The email you use to register for a course will be your username for your BU account. Please create your account and complete orientation before your course start date. 
 
When enrolling in the Genealogical Principles course you will be asked about any prior affiliation with Boston University. You must complete the Prior Affiliation section of the registration form. Any prior affiliation with Boston University that is not noted in your registration can prevent access to Online Campus when your course opens. 

Section Materials
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy: Use the Web to trace your roots, share your history, and create a family tree by Kimberly Powell 3 edition ISBN 978-1440570681
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger © 2019 Family Tree Books 2 edition ISBN 978-1440300578
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Genealogy Standards by Board for Certification of Genealogists 2 edition ISBN 978-1684423521
Section Title
Genealogical Principles
Type
Online, fixed date
Dates
Oct 28, 2025 to Dec 15, 2025
Delivery Options
Cohort Online  
Course Fee(s)
OGEN Tuition non-credit $995.00 Click here to get more information
Reading List / Textbook

All required texts are listed below.

To order your books, please use the BU Bookstore.  
 
- Start on the “Find Course Materials” page
- Select Fall '25 On Campus from the Term menu

  • Please note: You must select On Campus even though your course is online. This is how the BU Bookstore lists CPE courses

- Select CPE GEN from the Department menu  

  • This menu is alphabetical. CPE is directly below COM

- Select 150 in the Course menu
- Select OL in the Section menu
- Click Retrieve Materials

Section Notes

The Genealogical Principles course utilizes our Online Campus (Blackboard) for all course content. Students enrolled in Online Campus will see two courses – Orientation and Genealogical Principles – on their Courses Dashboard on the day each course opens. 
 
Orientation will open and appear on the Online Campus Courses Dashboard on October 21 at 10:00am ET. Orientation is designed to help you navigate Online Campus, submit assignments and assessments, post to Discussion Boards, and communicate with your instructors. Orientation is mandatory and must be completed before you begin your course. 
 
NOTE: Orientation is not program specific. Students registered in CPE programs are enrolled in Orientation together. 
 
Your Genealogical Principles course will open and appear on the Courses Dashboard in Online Campus on October 28 at 10:00am ET.  
 
You will receive additional information on creating your Boston University account and accessing Online Campus once you have successfully registered for a course. The email you use to register for a course will be your username for your BU account. Please create your account and complete orientation before your course start date. 
 
When enrolling in the Genealogical Principles course you will be asked about any prior affiliation with Boston University. You must complete the Prior Affiliation section of the registration form. Any prior affiliation with Boston University that is not noted in your registration can prevent access to Online Campus when your course opens. 

Section Materials
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy: Use the Web to trace your roots, share your history, and create a family tree by Kimberly Powell 3 edition ISBN 978-1440570681
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger © 2019 Family Tree Books 2 edition ISBN 978-1440300578
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Genealogy Standards by Board for Certification of Genealogists 2 edition ISBN 978-1684423521
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