Mortuary Science

The Funeral Service Education degree prepares students for entry-level positions in funeral service. The student is exposed to theory-based and clinical experiences reflective of the current industry standards. It is designed to meet the prerequisites for licensure and employment in the field of funeral service as funeral directors or embalmers. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon Completion of Degree requirements, students will be able to:

• Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve.
• Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.
• Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
• Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains.
• Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.
• Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.
• Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains.
• Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.
• Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.
• Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.

 

 

The program would enroll up to 25 students (accreditation mandate 25:1 lab) and run one cohort a year with a new cohort starting every Fall term. The first year would accommodate 25 enrollees, subsequent years 50 total students. Should the need to accommodate more students arise the course offerings could be reevaluated to accommodate the need.

The goal of the program is for students to work in the funeral industry and gain an AA degree. 

The ABFSE has a detailed curriculum requirement.  If we model our curriculum after what has been approved by ABFSE at American River College, we have developed 13 courses in the FSE discipline, one in Chemistry, and one in Psychology.  The remaining coursework is already being offered at Cañada: one course each in accounting, biology, business, and communication.

AS Degree Requirements

Major: Core Requirements

Complete Core Courses, 44 units Units

FSE. 200 Introduction to Funeral Service 2

FSE. 210 Funeral Directing I 3

FSE. 212 Funeral Service Science 5

FSE. 215 Funeral Directing II 3

FSE. 220 Funeral Service Law and Ethics 3

FSE. 225 Psychology of Death and Dying 3

FSE. 230 Merchandising in the Funeral Service Industry 3

FSE. 235 Funeral Service Management 3

FSE. 250 Restorative Art 5

FSE. 260 Embalming I 4

FSE. 265 Embalming II 2

FSE. 270 Funeral Service Counseling 3

FSE. 280 Funeral Service Education Practicum 5

A grade of "C" or better is required for progression through the program.

Program Entrance Criteria:

A. Microbiology - BIOL 240

B. Human Anatomy - BIOL 250

C. Business Law - BUS. 201

D. Chemistry - CHEM 410

E. Reading and Composition - ENGL 100

F. Introduction to Funeral Service - FSE. 200

G. Intermediate Algebra - MATH 120

NA

There are no other programs in the Bay Area