DNA Academy: Genetic Genealogy for Beginners & Intermediate Learners

DNA Academy: Genetic Genealogy for Beginners & Intermediate Learners is a 27-module course that comes with a dedicated support team, step-by-step video and hand-out tutorials. In looking over the course, I am impressed with not only its depth but the flexibility; it’s a self-paced course with no time limits. No prior DNA knowledge is required. Instructors Ericka Grizzard and Cyndi Harlin are both professional genetic genealogists.

Trace’s approach to education starts with the basics and follows a building block format. Along with written lessons, the course includes self-directed learning activities so that students grasp each concept before moving on to the next one.

The course covers DNA basics—autosomal, mitochondrial, X-Chromosome, Y-Chromosome, as well as ethics, ethnicity, interpreting test results, cluster analysis, and segment triangulation. Modules are included for AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, 23andMe, Family Tree DNA, GEDMatch, GeneticAffairs, and DNA Painter.

Participants receive full access to the course, including 1,400 hours of research and learning design to create modules (27 learning plus orientation and conclusion), over 100 lessons/chapters, over 20 hand-outs/guides/worksheets, and almost 20 skills practice applications.

The course takes about five weeks to finish, but there’s no required timeframe for completion. Upon achieving 80% or better on all skill assessments, participants will receive a digital certificate of completion.

For GenealogyMagazine.com readers, Trace offers a 15% discount on the course, DNA Academy: Genetic Genealogy for Beginners & Intermediate Learners. (Note: This is an affiliate link, meaning that if a site user clicks on the link and makes a purchase, GenealogyMagazine.com will receive an affiliate commission.)