Funeral Service Education, Associate in Applied Science
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-10-01 | - |
Program Overview
Northampton's Funeral Service Education program prepares students for careers in the funeral profession. The program provides a deep understanding of funeral service practices, including embalming, funeral directing, and grief counseling. Graduates hold an Associate in Applied Science degree and are well-positioned for careers in funeral homes, cremation societies, and cemeteries.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
This Funeral Service Education Associate in Applied Science provides students with a deep understanding of funeral service practices and prepares them to provide professional and ethical services to bereaved families and communities. With a growing demand for skilled funeral directors and embalmers, the program offers significant earning potential. Graduates hold an Associate in Applied Science degree and may pursue a 12-month Residency Internship. Upon completion, students are well-positioned for careers within the funeral profession.
Objectives:
- Provide support to the bereaved during initial grieving stages
- Arrange and direct funeral ceremonies
- Handle the transfer of deceased individuals
- Prepare bodies according to family wishes and legal requirements
- Sell funeral-related services and merchandise
- Establish pre-arranged/pre-financed funeral accounts
- Secure information for legal documents
- Assist survivors with death benefit claims
- Offer post-death counseling and support
Description:
Northampton's Funeral Service Education curriculum aligns with state licensure requirements. Students admitted to the program will progress through a sequence of general education courses before enrolling in core funeral service courses (prefixed with FUNS). Graduates achieve a well-rounded educational experience, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills fundamental to funeral service practice.
Outline:
Program Content:
The program encompasses fundamental skills, knowledge, and practices of funeral service, with a focus on:
- Developing relationships with families and communities.
- Ethical conduct in funeral service
- Federal, state, and local funeral service laws, including health and safety principles.
- Technical skills in embalming and restorative art for the preparation and handling of human remains.
- Skills essential for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.
- Methods for addressing the grief-related needs of the bereaved
- Management practices and communication skills for the operation of funeral establishments.
Structure:
This fall-start program requires students to complete 60 credit hours of general education requirements before advancing to the Funeral Service Education Core, which includes 34 credit hours of coursework.
Course Schedule:
Summer Session:
- College Success (COLS101), 1 credit
- English I (ENGL101), 3 credits
- Mathematics Elective (QL), 3 credits
- Introduction to Psychology (PSYC103), 3 credits
- Elective, 3 credits
First Semester (Fall):
- Human Biology (BIOS160), 4 credits
- Introduction to Information Technology (CISC101), 3 credits
- Introduction to Communication (CMTH102), 3 credits
- English II (ENGL151L), 3 credits
- Business Elective, 3 credits
Second Semester (Spring):
- Financial Accounting I (ACCT101), 3 credits (OR Accounting for Non-Accountants (ACCT100), 3 credits)
- Microbiology for Allied Health (BIOS202), 4 credits
- Business Law I (BUSA152), 3 credits
- On Death and Dying (PHIL111G), 3 credits
- Responding to the Bereaved (PSYC221), 3 credits
- Principles of Sociology (SOCA103), 3 credits
Summer Sessions:
- Chemistry of Life (CHEM135), 4 credits
- Business Communications (BUSA221G), 3 credits
- Responding to the Bereaved (PSYC221), 3 credits
- Principles of Sociology (SOCA103), 3 credits
Third Semester (Fall):
- Principles of Funeral Service (FUNS101), 2 credits
- Introduction to Funeral Service (FUNS102), 4 credits
- Funeral Home Operations I (FUNS201), 4 credits
- Pathology for Funeral Service (FUNS203), 3 credits
- Embalming Theory I (FUNS210), 3 credits
- Funeral Services Field Study I (FUNS241), 1 credit (OR Funeral Service Clinical I (FUNS212), 1 credit)
Fourth Semester (Spring):
- Funeral Directing (FUNS105), 3 credits
- Embalming Theory II (FUNS220), 3 credits
- Funeral Home Operations II (FUNS231), 2 credits
- Funeral Services Field Study II (FUNS242), 1 credit (OR Funeral Service Clinical II (FUNS222), 1 credit)
- United States and Pennsylvania Funeral Law (FUNS251), 3 credits
- Cosmetology & Restorative Art (FUNS255), 3 credits
- Funeral Service Education Comprehensive Review (FUNS280), 1 credit
Individual Modules with Descriptions:
FUNS101 - Principles of Funeral Service:
Examines the role of funeral service practitioners in guiding families, ethical conduct, legal responsibilities, managing grief, and societal impacts.
FUNS102 - Introduction to Funeral Service:
Introduces the funeral service industry, its organization, and career opportunities.
FUNS201 - Funeral Home Operations I:
Covers principles of funeral establishment management, including staffing, customer service, record keeping, and marketing.
FUNS203 - Pathology for Funeral Service:
Explores pathological anatomy, principles of decomposition, infectious diseases, and other factors related to the care and preparation of remains.
FUNS210 - Embalming Theory I:
Teaches the principles and techniques of embalming using an anatomical approach.
FUNS241 - Funeral Services Field Study I:
Provides practical experience in various aspects of funeral services under the supervision of a registered funeral director.
FUNS105 - Funeral Directing:
Investigates the responsibilities, protocols, and procedures of funeral directing, covering topics like directing services, consulting with families, and legal regulations.
FUNS220 - Embalming Theory II:
Continues studying embalming techniques, focusing on advanced skills and specialized considerations.
FUNS231 - Funeral Home Operations II:
Builds on Funeral Home Operations I, extending knowledge on management practices and funeral establishment operations.
FUNS242 - Funeral Services Field Study II:
Offers more advanced, supervised field experience in funeral services.
FUNS251 - United States and Pennsylvania Funeral Law:
Examines federal and state laws regulating funeral service practices, including licensing, embalming, funeral trusts, and cemetery operation.
FUNS255 - Cosmetology & Restorative Art:
Provides technical training in cosmetology and restorative art techniques appropriate for use in funeral service.
FUNS280 - Funeral Service Education Comprehensive Review:
Prepares students for the National Funeral Directors Examination (NFDE) and other licensure exams, reviewing crucial concepts in funeral service.
Assessment:
Throughout the program, students are assessed through:
- Exams (oral and written), quizzes, and homework assignments
- Practical demonstrations of skills within the Embalming Lab
- Participation in field studies and clinical experiences
- Projects and presentations that contribute to portfolio growth
Teaching:
Methods:
Students learn through a blend of instructional methods, including lectures, discussions, demonstrations, hands-on labs, case studies, guest speakers, and field experiences. The program encourages active and experiential learning.
Faculty:
The faculty consists of experienced professionals holding licenses in funeral directing and embalming. They are dedicated to providing mentorship and guidance to students.
Unique Approaches:
- The program offers opportunities for students to participate in research alongside faculty.
- Sigma Phi Sigma is a designated student association for Funeral Service Education, fostering support and connections among its members through conferences and community service activities.
Careers:
Career Paths:
- Funeral Director
- Embalmer
- Pre-Need Funeral Counselor
Opportunities:
Students are competitive for positions in the funeral service industry. Upon graduation, they may join funeral homes, cremation societies, cemeteries, or insurance companies offering death benefits.
Outcomes:
- High post-graduate placement rate into the funeral service profession
- Earning potential is strong and continues to grow