Program Information
-
Location: West Allis Campus
- Pathway: Community & Human Services
- Program Code: 10-528-1
- Offering: In-class
- Degree Type: 2-Year Degree (Associate)
- Start Dates: August
About the Funeral Services Degree
DESCRIPTION
This program prepares you for a career as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in a profession that demands compassion, dedication and creativity. Our rigorous curriculum trains students to become among the best funeral directors in the expanding death-care profession. Once accepted into the program, students are immersed in all facets of the funeral profession.
Students are provided a variety of unique learning opportunities through lectures, hands-on labs, field trips, seminars, guest speakers and internships.
Facilities include classrooms, state-of-the-art embalming and restorative art labs, arrangement conference room, merchandise selection room and funeral chapel.
Students who complete the program will earn an associate degree and be eligible to take the National Board Exam for funeral directors (required for licensure).
Coursework will include embalming, arranger training, grief studies, business management, religious funeral practices, regulatory compliance and more.
View Funeral Service Course Catalog Here (link)
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Detailed Program Information
2023-24 Curriculum
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOSCI-177 | Gen Anatomy & Physiology ‡ | 4 |
| ENG-195 | Written Communication ‡ (or) ENG-201 English 1 ‡ |
3 |
| FUNERL-106 | Thanatochemistry | 3 |
| PSYCH-199 | Psychology of Human Relations (or) Any 200-level PSYCH course |
3 |
| SOCSCI-197 | Contemporary American Society (or) SOCSCI-210 Death and Dying |
3 |
| ACCTG-110 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BADM-165 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BIOSCI-197 | Microbiology ‡ | 4 |
| ENG-196 | Oral/Interpersonal Communication ‡ (or) Any 200-level ENG or SPEECH course |
3 |
| FUNERL-104 | Funeral Service Field Experience I ‡ | 2 |
| FUNERL-110 | Introduction to Funeral Service ‡ | 2 |
| FUNERL-112 | Laws, Rules and Regulations of Funeral Service ‡ | 3 |
| FUNERL-114 | Pathology of Funeral Service ‡ | 2 |
| FUNERL-116 | Funeral Service Practices ‡ | 4 |
| FUNERL-121 | National Funeral Board Prep I ‡ | 1 |
| FUNERL-134 | Embalming Theory ‡ | 3 |
| FUNERL-135 | Embalming Lab 1 ‡ | 1 |
| FUNERL-105 | Funeral Service Field Experience II ‡ | 2 |
| FUNERL-118 | Funeral Service Management ‡ | 3 |
| FUNERL-119 | Embalming Lab 2 ‡ | 1 |
| FUNERL-122 | National Funeral Board Prep II ‡ | 1 |
| FUNERL-123 | Restorative Art ‡ | 3 |
| FUNERL-124 | Restorative Art Lab ‡ | 1 |
| FUNERL-136 | Funeral Service Science ‡ | 2 |
| FUNERL-137 | Funeral Service Management Lab ‡ | 1 |
| FUNERL-153 | Psychology of Funeral Service ‡ | 3 |
|
TOTAL CREDITS |
64 |
‡ Prerequisite required.
Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.
Current MATC students should consult their Academic Adviser for specific curriculum requirements.
Search for available classes now (link) to see course descriptions, class times and locations.
Already a student? You can visit Self-Service (link) and choose Student Planning to register for classes.
Important Dates
Deadlines and important dates can be found on:
Cost & Aid Deadlines
Also, you can find dates and deadlines on the MATC Events Calendar
Program Learning Outcomes
American Board of Funeral Service Education Program Learning Outcomes
- 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.
Career Outlook
The demand for licensed funeral directors and embalmers continues to grow. Graduates of this program have a high likelihood of employment in a variety of locations and work settings.
This Funeral Service degree program is recognized by the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Examining Board.
Possible Careers
Funeral Director
Embalmer
Admission Requirements
A petition process is required for admittance to this program.
The petition process in currently being updated, more information will be forthcoming, and the new petition window for the Funeral Service Program will be February 2nd, 2021.
A minimum of 24 college credits in areas specified by the state examining board are required for admission into the Funeral Service program. See an MATC Community & Human Services Pathway advisor for information.
B- (or higher) required in Business and Natural Sciences courses.
C (or higher) required in General Education courses.
The following are also required for admission:
- One year of high school-level biology and chemistry
Scholarships
Accreditation
The Funeral Service associate degree program at Milwaukee Area Technical College - West Campus is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org
National Board Passage rates for this program are available on the Funeral Service Program webpage. National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs.
For more information about the program, contact: Gabriel Schauf, Funeral Service Program Coordinator, schaufg@matc.edu, 414-456-5320.
PROGRAM INFORMATION - Milwaukee
* Timely graduation = complete program in 1.5 times designated program length NATIONAL BOARD STATISTICS - Milwaukee
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READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Use the buttons below to get more information, visit the college or apply now.
Request Info Visit Us Apply Now
QUESTIONS?
Community & Human Services Academic & Career Pathway
414-570-4426
servepathway@matc.edu