Program Overview

Wayne State University Mortuary Science Program

The Mortuary Science program at Wayne State University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of mortuary science. The program includes a range of courses that cover topics such as thanatochemistry, funeral service law and ethics, embalming, restorative art, and funeral directing.

Course Descriptions

• MS 3100 Thanatochemistry: Discussion, problem solving, and application of general inorganic, organic and biochemistry to postmortem changes, biologic preservation, and embalming chemistry.
• MS 3300 Religions, Values, and Death: Various religious, secular, and philosophical views regarding the value of life, the meaning of death, and life after death.
• MS 3400 Funeral Service Law and Ethics I: Business law and legal environment affecting funeral service, including introduction to the American legal system, court structure, and civil & criminal procedure.
• MS 3410 Funeral Service Law and Ethics II: Legal principles affecting funeral service, including legal status of a deceased, rights and responsibilities affecting disposition, licensing laws, and regulatory compliance.
• MS 3500 Embalming I: Theories, practices, and techniques of biologic preservation and disinfection of human remains.
• MS 3510 Embalming II: Dynamics of decomposition, influence of disease and its treatment on the embalming process, and public health considerations.
• MS 3600 Restorative Art I: Theories, methods, and techniques used in the restoration of superficial tissues and features.
• MS 3610 Restorative Art II: Continuation of MS 3600, with a focus on advanced techniques and case studies.
• MS 3620 Preparation for Disposition: Preparing the decedent for disposition, including handling of personal effects, refrigeration, container selection, and special ceremonial preparation.
• MS 3760 Funeral Service History and Trends: Basic human need to memorialize the dead, examined throughout history, and possible future practices based on understanding of historical records and current trends.
• MS 3800 Funeral Directing: Funeral service operations, including practical applications, field trips, and funeral service process from first call to final disposition.
• MS 3810 Funeral Service Marketing and Merchandising: Marketing, merchandising, public relations, pre-need planning, personnel management, and job-seeking skills.
• MS 3830 Psychology of Death and Dying: Various social and cultural perspectives, psychosocial changes related to death, dying, and disposition, and special cases.
• MS 3840 Funeral Service Applications: Case studies involving discussion and analysis of National Board Examination subject matter application to funeral service practice.
• MS 3970 Practicum I: Student placement in a licensed funeral service facility to acquire practical experience in basic funeral service skills.
• MS 3980 Practicum II: Continuation of Practicum I, with a focus on advanced funeral service skills.
• MS 4000 Practicum III: Continuation of Practicum II, with a focus on evaluation of clinical embalming competency.
• MS 4050 Anatomy for Mortuary Science: Detailed systemic study of human anatomy, with emphasis on vascular anatomy and adjacent structural relationships.
• MS 4250 Pathology and Microbiology for Mortuary Science: Discussion and application of pathogenic microbial agents, host-parasite relationships, and public health issues.
• MS 4450 Funeral Service Management and Accounting: Financial aspects of starting and operating a funeral business, including basic accounting principles and dealings with fellow professionals and government agencies.
• MS 5350 Funeral Service Communications: Survey of professional communication in funeral service, including verbal and non-verbal communication strategies and principles of customer service.
• MS 5550 Special Topics in Mortuary Science: Lectures and discussions on current topics in the profession, with invited speakers.
• MS 5990 Directed Study: Library and/or laboratory study of current or pending professional development, under the guidance of a departmental/program faculty member.
• MS 5996 Professional Review: Comprehensive review and assessment in preparation for the National Board Examination.
• MS 5999 Funeral Service Residency: Experiential learning in focused and/or specialty funeral service settings, through placement in a limited-duration residency.

Program Requirements

• Enrollment limited to students in the BS in Mortuary Science program for most courses.
• Specific prerequisites and restrictions apply to certain courses, as detailed in the course descriptions.

Fees

• Various fees apply to different courses, ranging from $30 to $200, as specified in the course descriptions.

The Mortuary Science program at Wayne State University provides students with a comprehensive education and practical experience in the field, preparing them for careers in funeral service and related professions.