The DNA Skills Workshop brings the best aspects of her classes and webinars into an extended, hands-on format where you’ll learn in an interactive setting, work on real-life examples, follow up (live!) with your questions, and work on MORE examples to be sure your learning experience is complete and thorough. It won’t just be a fun-but-onetime event, but rather a series of progressive, hands-on tutorials and experiences. Plus, Diahan will be checking your progress to make sure you are learning all the things you need to.

By the time the Workshop starts, you should already have autosomal DNA test results in hand. You’ll need them because this is a hands-on learning experience. Optimally, you’ll be working with your own DNA test results, but you can also use someone else’s, as long as you have their permission and the login access.

The cost and ordering of DNA testing itself is not included in the course. See Workshop prerequisites below about a testing company recommendation.

You’re ready for the DNA Skills Workshop if you have the following:

You’ve got autosomal DNA test results, preferably from AncestryDNA (and you’ve got access to the Pro Tools) or it could also work well with MyHeritage DNA (if you’ve access to the advanced DNA tools)

You’ve spent some time exploring your results–you’re at least an advanced beginner with DNA–and you’re super curious/motivated to learn MORE

You have appropriate goals in mind, such as 1) see how genetic evidence supports your genealogical research 2) identify a mystery match and/or 3) pursue a brick wall ancestor at the 3x great grandparent level or closer. (If you don’t have a missing ancestor in that timeframe, but you want to learn the process, you can pretend you do not know an ancestor.)

Ideally, you want to have some DNA matches within the range of whatever question you’re trying to answer. For example, to identify a close birth relative (parent or sibling), you should have DNA matches who share 1200+ cM with you. If you don’t, then you will still be able to learn about your extended family, but you may not be able to identify a parent yet. Similarly, if you want to find your 2X great grandparents, you will need 3rd-4th cousin matches. If you do not have the matches you need, you can still make progress in your research, but you may not find that missing ancestor right away.

All live sessions are held on Tuesdays at 2pm ET. The first week of the Workshop has a live kick-off meet-and-greet session. The last week’s Q&A session is a capstone case study that pulls together all your learning and lasts about 2 hours.

Overall, plan to spend at least 6 hours per week watching prerecorded video tutorials, participating in a live, one-hour Q&A session, working on case studies + homework and on solving your own DNA mysteries. Some people may work more quickly than others, and some may want to dive deeper than others. That part is up to you. About 60% of Skills participants report spending more than 5 hours a week on the course, and some report spending more than 10 hours.

You’ll also have a 30-minute one-on-one coaching or private consultation session with one of the expert DNA coaches, which you can schedule anytime during the Workshop.

Life happens, even with the best intentions! While it will probably be more fun to attend live, don’t worry if something comes up. These sessions will be recorded. Recordings will be made available in your personal courses page for as long as we offer the Academy. Because the recordings are available, refunds will not be granted due to unexpected changes in your schedule. (See our refund policy.)

Each Workshop takes place online. During these weeks, you’ll need a fast, reliable internet connection for learning sessions and for additional learning on your own time.

For your individual coaching session, you will need to be able to access your family tree and DNA results on a device with a microphone and camera (and know how to use them). You’ll need access to your DNA test results on whatever testing site you’re using.

Your primary textbook is Your DNA Guide—the Book; you’ll receive both the print and ebook editions when you register. You’ll also receive a workbook and additional reference materials that support your learning.

We are pleased to support various third party payment plan options on our checkout page!

At the bottom of the checkout page (that's the page you'll go to when you click one of the green "Enroll Now" buttons on this page), you will see six different payment options (see image). We have labeled each with a number in the image below for clarity. Options 1 and 2 are pay-in-full options, whereas options 3-6 are payment plan options.

All payment plan options are from third party companies. Your payment plan availability and amount may vary based on your personal financial situation or your place of residence. Please explore these options thoroughly in order to make the decision that fits your budget best. If you are not familiar with these companies, please check out their websites, linked below. If you have any questions about these options, please contact them directly for assistance.

1. PayPal: Click on this option to pay in full using the payment method you have attached to your PayPal account. Once you click this button, a new internet browser window will open where you can login to your PayPal account and complete the purchase. To learn more about PayPal, click here.

2. Card: This is the default option on the checkout page. You can use this option to pay in full using your credit card, without needing a PayPal account. Type in your credit card information and then click on the blue “Complete Order” button to submit your payment.

3. PayPal Pay Later: Click on this button to choose from one of PayPal’s payment plans. A new window will open where you can login to your PayPal account and choose which option works best for you. Make sure you complete the purchase in this new window. Options include 4 interest-free payments every two weeks or monthly payments that include interest across various lengths of time. To learn more about PayPal Pay Later, click here.

4. Afterpay: Click on this button to choose to pay with Afterpay. Payment plan options are listed directly on the checkout page, or you can click on “Learn More” for additional details. Options include 4 interest-free payments every two weeks, or 6 or 12 monthly payments which include interest, subject to approval. Fill out your information and then click the blue “Complete Order” button to be redirected to Afterpay’s website to complete your purchase. To learn more about Afterpay, click here.

5. Affirm: Click on this button to choose to pay with Affirm. Payment plan options are listed directly on the checkout page, or you can click on “Learn More” for additional details. Options include 3 or 12 interest-free monthly payments, or 18 monthly payments with interest, subject to approval. Click the blue “Complete Order” button to be redirected to Affirm’s website to complete your purchase. To learn more about Affirm, click here.

6. Klarna: Click on this button to choose to pay with Klarna. Payment plan options are listed directly on the checkout page, or you can click on “Learn More” for more details. Options include 4 interest-free payments every two weeks, or 6, 12, or 18 monthly payments with interest, subject to approval. Fill out your information and then click the blue “Complete Order” button to be redirected to Klarna’s website to complete your purchase. To learn more about Klarna, click here.