Online education offers Flexibility

“I’d love to become a professional genealogist, but I have a full-time job.”

“I’m interested in taking genealogy courses, but I travel frequently for work.”

“I want to learn, but I have family obligations that make traditional class schedules impossible.”

If any of these statements sound familiar, you’re not alone. The traditional education model—show up at a specific time, in a specific place, or fail the course—simply doesn’t work for most adult learners. That’s why the International Institute of Genealogical Studies designed our programs around your life, not the other way around.

The Problem with Traditional Scheduling

Traditional colleges and universities operate on rigid schedules:

  • Classes meet at fixed times (often during work hours).
  • You must be physically present or join live video sessions.
  • Semesters start on set dates regardless of your readiness.
  • Miss a class and you’ve missed valuable instruction.
  • Work late? Family emergency? Too bad—the class goes on without you.
  • Living away from home is not affordable or practical regardless of your age.

This traditional model was designed for 18-22 year olds with few other life obligations and access to high-level financial aid. But today’s genealogy students are career-changers, working professionals, parents, caregivers, and retirees—people with full, complex lives who want to learn but need flexibility.

How IIGS Flexible Scheduling Works

At IIGS, we’ve reimagined genealogy education for real life. Here’s how our flexible approach empowers learning on your terms:

Asynchronous Online Learning—Most of our courses are delivered asynchronously, meaning there are no required login times. You access course materials, lectures, and assignments whenever it fits your schedule—whether that’s early morning before work, during lunch breaks, late at night after the kids are in bed, or on weekends.

Self-Paced Progress—Within each course period, work at your own pace. Are you a quick learner who wants to race through material? Go for it. Need extra time to digest complex concepts? Take it. As long as you complete the course within the enrollment period, you control the speed.

Rolling Enrollment Unlike traditional semester systems where you might wait months for the next term to begin, most IIGS courses offer rolling enrollment. When you’re ready to start, you can. No waiting for some arbitrary date.

No Geographic Boundaries—Because our entire program is online, it doesn’t matter if you live in Montana, Melbourne, or Munich. Your physical location is irrelevant. You have the same access to world-class genealogical education regardless of where you call home.

Study From Anywhere— Have a laptop and internet connection? That’s your classroom. Study from:

  • Your home office, kitchen table, or favorite café.
  • Coffee shops during your lunch break or study with a buddy.
  • The library while waiting for appointments or for a little peace and quiet.
  • Hotel rooms when traveling.
  • Your back porch on beautiful days.
  • Anywhere in the world.

Real Students, Real Life, Real Success

Let’s look at how flexible scheduling transforms genealogy education for different types of students:

The Working Professional—Sarah works full-time as a paralegal but wants to transition into a genealogy career. With IIGS’s flexible scheduling, she:

  • Studies during her commute reading materials on her phone or tablet.
  • Prefers to listen to her reading material on her Kindle while jogging.
  • Works on assignments during lunch breaks.
  • Completes coursework on evenings and weekends.
  • Continues earning her salary while building new credentials.
  • Graduated with her Professional Learning Certificate in 12-18 months while working full-time.

The Parent—Michael has three children under 10. His schedule is unpredictable—school pickups, sick kids, sports practices, and family obligations. With IIGS flexibility, he:

  • Studies after the kids go to bed.
  • Works ahead during school hours when possible.
  • Takes breaks when family needs arise without penalty.
  • Fits education around parenting rather than choosing between them.
  • Completed his Certificate in American Records in two years at his own pace without missing important family events.

The Retiree—Patricia retired last year and wants to turn her lifelong hobby into a part-time business. She travels frequently to visit grandchildren and has volunteer commitments. With IIGS, she:

  • Takes courses when she’s home, pauses when traveling.
  • Doesn’t stress about missing live sessions during trips because they’re recorded.
  • Studies at whatever time of day her energy is highest.
  • Balances multiple interests without sacrificing any of them and doesn’t stress about rushing her studies.
  • Earned her Professional Genealogist Certificate while maintaining her active lifestyle.

The Career Changer—David works irregular shifts as a nurse. His schedule rotates, and he never knows when he’ll have time to study. IIGS allows him to:

  • Study during his days off without worrying about class schedules.
  • Work through materials during overnight shifts when it’s quiet.
  • Adapt his study time to his rotating schedule.
  • Never miss instruction because he’s working when class meets, recordings are available to watch later.
  • Built his genealogy credentials while maintaining his nursing career.

The Continuing Education Student—Jenny works in a related field, she needs continuing education each year to build her career.

  • Her employer benefits allow funds for related education and will reimburse her after each course is completed.
  • DNA & Genetic courses complement her work as a paralegal allowing her to help trace potential heirs.
  • Land record courses help her find original owners when potential disputes could derail negotiations.
  • She takes courses on lunch, but her employer allows her to attend live sessions as part of her work-related duties.
  • Because of her successes tracing heirs, clearing land records, and supporting her employer with her skills, Jenny is encouraged to continue learning more genealogy skills.

Law Enforcement Continuing Education—Brad and Elizabeth work in law enforcement. They need to understand both DNA & Genetic Genealogy and American Records to better solve missing persons and cold cases.

  • CODIS is good, but limited and can’t always differentiate potential perpetrators from innocent parties. Law enforcement needs more DNA markers to solve cold cases. Brad and Elizabeth are learning how to build out family trees to find the families of John and Jane Doe to return their loved one. The job is fulfilling when they can bring closure to grieving families.
  • Genealogical research combined with an education in DNA & Genetic work allow law enforcement to reopen cases long thought impossible. Now they’re closing cases with the advancements in genetic education and science.
  • Elizabeth works in the sexual assault unit. She has learned the skills to help those who reported, but felt forgotten because the system hadn’t caught the perpetrators.
  • The skills learned in the courses have opened up decades-old road blocks helping Brad and Elizabeth close cases at higher rates.
  • Law personnel work on courses on their schedule.
  • Many agents, detectives, and others in law enforcement positions receive funds toward courses. If letters proving student-status, grades, and completion are needed IIGS will provide them.

The Educational Research Backs This Up

Studies consistently show that adult learners thrive with flexible, self-paced education. Research indicates:

  • Retention rates improve when students can learn at optimal times for their personal rhythms
  • Completion rates increase when scheduling barriers are removed
  • Learning deepens when students can revisit materials as needed
  • Career outcomes improve when students can maintain employment during education

What Flexible Doesn’t Mean

Let’s be clear: flexible scheduling doesn’t mean:

  • Lower standards or easier coursework.
  • Less rigor or academic quality.
  • No deadlines or accountability.
  • Self-teaching without instructor support.
  • Isolation without community.

IIGS maintains high academic standards while offering flexibility. You have:

  • Internationally recognized credentials and educational programming.
  • Expert instructors who are well-known professional genealogists, teachers, and speakers.
  • Structured curricula with clear learning objectives.
  • Deadlines that ensure progress (just flexible ones by following guidelines requesting extensions or course date moves).
  • Community forum to connect with fellow students.
  • Comprehensive assessments through individual course final exams that demonstrate mastery.

The Technology That Makes It Possible

Our learning management system is designed for flexibility:

  • Mobile-responsive – study on laptop or tablet anywhere you have internet access.
  • 24/7 access – materials available whenever you need them while your course is active.
  • Progress tracking – see your advancement through the program.
  • Discussion forums – engage with classmates on your schedule.
  • Student Chat app — Have a question? Need student advising? Drop a note in the chat 24/7. You’ll get a real person to answer during business hours.

Comparing Education Models

Traditional University Schedules provide strict structure:

  • Monday/Wednesday 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Must attend live or lose participation points.
  • Fixed session time only, miss it, wait until the semester or year!
  • Lose your money and course work if you have to drop out.
  • On-campus or synchronous online required.
  • Result: Many qualified students simply can’t attend or drop out unable to sustain the schedule and workload.

IIGS Flexible Schedule provides structural programming:

  • Access materials anytime within enrollment period.
  • Work at your own pace within reasonable timeframes.
  • Start any date you like, 356-days a year, 24/7.
  • Fully asynchronous with occasional optional live sessions.
  • Request an extension or move course dates without penalties with a generous grace period. Extend or move your course with no fees up to 14 days after a course closes. That is not an option at traditional university/college courses.
  • Result: Education accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

The Financial Benefits of Flexibility

Flexible scheduling doesn’t only save time—it saves your money:

Keep Your Income—You don’t have to quit your job or reduce hours to attend classes. Your education fits around your work, so you continue earning while learning.

Avoid Relocation Costs—No need to move closer to campus, pay for campus housing, or incur commuting expenses.

Reduce Childcare Needs—Study when your children are asleep or in school. No need to arrange (and pay for) childcare during class times.

Minimize Time Off—Since you can study around your schedule, you don’t need to use vacation time or unpaid leave for education.

Extensions and Moving Class Dates are Allowed—Something of a unicorn in the educational world, but we’re glad to help you finish your class, not incomplete it. We’re passionate about preserving family history and genealogical research.

Read on to understand how our grace period helps you…

Making the Most of Your Flexible Schedule

Flexibility is powerful, but it requires some self-discipline. Here are strategies successful IIGS students use:

Create Your Own Routine Even though you can study anytime, establishing regular study blocks helps maintain momentum. Find the times that work best for you and protect them.

Set Personal Milestones Break courses into smaller goals and set your own deadlines ahead of official ones. This creates accountability and prevents last-minute cramming.

Use a Calendar Block out study time like any other important appointment. Treat your education commitment as non-negotiable during those times.

Communicate Your Schedule Let family and friends know when you’re studying. This helps them respect your education time even though you’re home.

Build in Buffer Time Life happens. Build flexibility into your personal schedule so unexpected events don’t derail your progress.

Watch Course End Dates—If you’re having a time struggle, don’t struggle alone. Ask for help to extend or move your course dates. Our grace and mercy policy means you can ask for a course extension up to 14 days after a course closes. If you miss that grace period, our mercy rule allows you to keep your homework and reregister for 50% of the current course fee.

The IIGS school motto is: Grace and Mercy for Adults Who Are Adulting.

Your Life Shouldn’t Wait for Education

For too long, people have been told they need to put their lives on hold to pursue education—quit jobs, move cities, sacrifice family time, or simply wait until “someday” when circumstances align perfectly.

That someday is now. At the International Institute of Genealogical Studies, we believe that education should enhance your life, not disrupt it. Our flexible online model means you can:

  • Advance your career without leaving your current job.
  • Build new skills without relocating your family.
  • Pursue your passion without sacrificing other priorities.
  • Learn when your mind is sharpest, not when a schedule dictates.
  • Start immediately, not months from now.

Ready to Learn on Your Terms?

Whether you’re juggling work and family, traveling frequently, working irregular hours, or simply want control over your educational experience, IIGS’s flexible scheduling makes professional genealogy education possible. You bring the passion and dedication. We bring world-class instruction and the flexibility to make it work with your life.

Explore our flexible programs today. Visit genealogicalstudies.com to see our course offerings and discover how you can earn professional genealogy credentials on your schedule, at your pace, from anywhere in the world.

International Institute of Genealogical Studies

Research With Confidence ~ Study at Your Own Pace

Your career as a Professional Genealogist is a click away! The International Institute of Genealogical Studies offers many certificate programs to get you on your way!

The International Institute of Genealogical Studies offers quality online education with over 250 courses. Our wide range of courses covers specific countries, enhances methodology research, build skills to maximize your research time, and all count toward the certification you choose. 


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