Postgraduate Programme in Genealogical Studies at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland – AND ONLINE

The following announcement was written by Strathclyde University:

In 2006 Strathclyde University launched the Postgraduate programme in Genealogical Studies to address the need for an intensive, practitioner-led university-led award in Genealogical Studies. It is intended for those with an existing interest in Genealogy and related subjects who wish to study the subject in more detail and possibly use it in their careers. Now entering its third year, this is the only professional postgraduate university qualification on Genealogy, Family History, Heraldry, Records and Archives. The Postgraduate Certificate may be taken on Campus by attendance or Online, and the Postgraduate Diploma is fully online from the next session.

These courses run from January to July with a Project or Dissertation to be submitted mid-August.

The Postgraduate Certificate deals mainly but not exclusively with British (Scottish, English, Irish) subject matter. The Postgraduate Diploma extends and expands the Certificate topics and also addresses various overseas records in more detail. A one-year follow-on Masters Degree is planned.

Entry Qualifications

These courses are not aimed primarily at UK students. So far we have had students from the USA and Canada, and applications are already in from New Zealand, Australia, Africa and elsewhere. Applicants should normally have a degree or equivalent, but other appropriate professional qualifications and experience will be considered.

Note: Entry to the Postgraduate Diploma is by successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate.

Course dates and Application

For Session 2008-09 courses start in January 2009. Applications should be submitted by 13 October 2008. There are full details at www.strath.ac.uk/cll/cpd/genealogy/ or e-mail elaine.richman@strath.ac.uk

Please feel free to send this information to interested parties, use in newsletters, on websites etc.

Comments

[Martha Brewer]

Just read the brochure. They Paint Shop Pro 6. That's ancient software. Worse, they use FTM 16 - 'nuf said.
If that's professional genealogy, I'd rather stay an amateur....

[Ian Wallbank]

Looks a good course. If the only criticism is that some software is a couple of years out-of-date ,it can't be too bad. FTM is probably chosen because it isn't so American biased as other offerings, and who cares if the image software is two years old. Most people are not interested in paying for up-to -minute revisions giving features they have no use for. I find even older versions quite satisfactory for genealogical use.

[Dae Powell]

I like it! And well-said Ian. I think Scotland intends to be the "China" of Genealogy. They are certainly gearing up for it, aren't they?

Happy Dae.
http://www.ShoeStringGenealogy.com

[LDrewitz]

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies is in Toronto (affiliated with the University of Toronto) and offers many classes and certification for genealogists. I, myself enrolled in the Librarianship program, because I work in our town library in the Local History Room as an archiver and genealogist - but did not have a degree in Library Science... I recieved my Librarianship cert last spring. You may take classes online if you wish. Here is the URL for all interested parties:
www.genealogicalstudies.com

[Chris Paton]

Hi,

Having just finished the PostGrad Diploma in Genealogical Studies at Strathclyde, can I just point out that we actually used FTM 2008!

Chris

[Roxanne]

Chris - did you take this class online? It doesn't look like this is really a very viable option to me from reading their brochures.

[Richard Baker]

I know from personal experience that the Strathclyde course is excellent. As you might expect, it does have a rather Scottish flavour; quite the best course with an English accent is the Correspondence Course in Genealogy offered by the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies in Canterbury - which is available on-line.

[Chris Carlson]

Has anyone looked at the cost of the on-line course. By my calculations, 2700 pounds is just over $5000. Better be sure before you sign up!

[Blackcloud]

Well over $5,000 for this course! Unless you are a professional genealogist it would not be worth it for most of us.

[Bruce Durie]

Thanks to all who have posted comments about our course.
The issue about software versions - yes, we specify (for example) PaintShop Pro. That's because it's software lots of people are likely to have, or could easily acquire, and doesn't require them to buy something new, shiny and expensive. And (for my money) it's far better that Adobe Photoshop and streets ahead of the dog's dinner that Corel made of PaintShop when they took over JASC.
Likewise, we specify Windows XP and Office 2000/2003 because no-one should have to go out and get the appalling Vista and the even worse Office 2007. Of course, soon there may be no choice.

And, although we provided all students with FTM 2008 (courtesy of a deal with Ancestry, thank you), most of us prefer the 2006 version. Let's see what the 2009 is like, though...

Finally, £2,700 ($5,000) is the going rate for any sort of professional postgraduate qualification at a UK University.