Associate in Applied Science Degree
School of Health Sciences
West Allis Campus
Program Code: 10-528-1

For Information: 414-456-5500

Overview — Funeral Service is an associate degree program that prepares you for a career as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. A one-year apprenticeship must be served before or after the Funeral Service program. MATC offers on-campus laboratories fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. The curriculum develops skills in arrangement interviewing, merchandising and conducting of funerals. The Funeral Service Internship (FUNERL-105) is required.

The A.A.S. Degree in Funeral Service Program at Milwaukee Area Technical College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 3414 Ashland Avenue, Suite G, St. Joseph, Missouri 64506; 816-233-3747, www.ABFSE.org, and is recognized by the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Examining Board. 

The annual passage rate of first-time takers on the National Board Examination (NBE) for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the ABFSE website (www.ABFSE.org).

 

Career Outlook — There continues to be high demand for licensed funeral directors and embalmers. For additional career information, visit www.WFDA.org,  www.NFDA.org or www.ABFSE.org

Program Learning Outcomes — Employers expect a new licensee to:

• Prepare the dead human body for viewing, including case analysis, embalming, cosmetizing and restorations
• Comply with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards
• Demonstrate the abilities to coordinate people and activities
• Anticipate and meet the needs of mourners in a tactful, discreet and compassionate manner
• Apply counseling skills to the arrangement of funerals
• Be familiar with the burial rituals of various religious faiths and fraternal organizations

 

Preparation for Admission — This program admits students through a petition selection process. 

Learn more about the petition process

Special Admission Requirements:

A minimum of 57 college credits, in areas specified by the State Board of Examiners, with a grade of C or better, are required for admission into the Funeral Service program. See an MATC counselor or program advisor about courses that must be in the 57 credits. The minimum grade required for the prerequisite Natural Science courses (Microbiology: NATSCI-197 and General Anatomy and Physiology: NATSCI-177) and Business courses (Business Law course (BADM-160)/Legal Environment of Business, and Financial Accounting: ACCTG-110) must be completed with a grade of B- or better prior to starting the technical courses. Students transferring from schools that do not grant B- grades will need to attain a minimum grade of B.
Additionally, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to enter their core technical courses.

The following are also required for admission:

• A high school diploma or GED
• One year of high school-level biology and chemistry
• Demonstration of proficiency in basic skills through a course placement assessment
  
  

Licensing Examinations— Students are required to take the National Board Examination of the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards during their internship (FUNERL-105) as a prerequisite to graduation. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the State of Wisconsin Funeral Directors Examination.

Start Date: August

This program will transfer to one or more four-year institutions.

 

Curriculum effective 2013-14.

TECHNICAL STUDIES				Credits
( ) = Semester Order for Full-Time Students
(1)		ACCTG-110	Financial Accounting	3
(2)		BADM-160	Business Law 1	3
(2)		FUNERL-110	Introduction to Funeral Service ‡	2
(3)		FUNERL-112	Funeral Service Law ‡	2
(3)		FUNERL-116	Funeral Service Practices ‡	4
(3)		FUNERL-131	Embalming 1 ‡	4
(3)		NATSCI-107	Pathology ‡	2
(4)		BADM-169	Public Health Law and Administration ‡	1
(4)		FUNERL-117	Funeral Service Management ‡	4
(4)		FUNERL-120	Restorative Art ‡	3
(4)		FUNERL-132	Embalming 2 ‡	4
(4)		FUNERL-153	Psychology of Funeral Service ‡	3
(4)		FUNERL-105	Funeral Service Internship Management/Embalming ‡	5
GENERAL STUDIES
		ECON-195	Economics	3
			OR Any 200-series ECON course
		ENG-151	Communication Skills 1 ‡	3
		and ENG-152	Communication Skills 2 ‡	3
			OR ENG-201 and any 200-series ENG or SPEECH course
		NATSCI-177	General Anatomy and Physiology ‡	4
		NATSCI-197	Microbiology ‡	4
		PSYCH-199	Psychology of Human Relations	3
			OR Any 200-series PSYCH course
		SOCSCI-197	Contemporary American Society	3
			OR Any 200-series HIST or SOCSCI course
		Electives	Suggested Electives: Six Credits Needed	6
		BADM-134	Business Organization and Management
		HEALTH-101	Medical Terminology
		SOCSCI-210	Death and Dying
TOTAL CREDITS: 69

‡ Prerequisite required.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.

NOTE: Students who have not been accepted, or have not decided on a program, may begin with GENERAL STUDIES courses, if course prerequisites have been met.

For course descriptions, times, locations or to register online, visit INFOnline.

 

Page updated March 2014.