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.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Funeral Service Education program are able to seek careers in the following fields: Funeral Service Managers, Embalmers, Funeral Attendant, Mortician, Undertaker, Funeral Director.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program 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.