Program Information
-
Location: West Allis Campus
- Pathway: Community & Human Services
- Program Code: 10-528-1
- Offering: In-Person, Online
- 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)
Course Delivery
In-Class and Online (via Hyflex)
Hyflex
A “hybrid flexible” course model combines face-to-face learning with synchronous* and/or asynchronous* delivery. Students have the option to “flex” their course to fit their needs by choosing in-person, online synchronous or online asynchronous attendance on a day-to-day basis. The physical classrooms are equipped with high fidelity audio and video-based hardware and software.
Learn more about the course types (link)
Are you considering online participation? Click here for Online Learning Support (link).
Click here for your MATC Online Orientation (link)."
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Career Outlook
Detailed Program Information
2025-26 Curriculum
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOSCI-177 | Gen Anatomy & Physiology ‡ | 4 |
| ENG-195 | Written Communication ‡ (or) ENG-201 English 1 ‡ |
3 |
| FUNERL-106 | Thanatochemistry (or) any 100-level Chemistry or 200-level Chemistry |
3 |
| PSYCH-199 | Psychology of Human Relations (or) Any 200-level PSYCH course |
3 |
| SOCSCI-197 |
Contemporary American Society |
3 |
| ACCTG-102 | Basic Office Accounting (or) ACCTG-110 Financial Accounting (or) ACCTG-111 Accounting 1 |
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 except ENG 200 OR ENG 201 |
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 Board Exam Prep 1 ‡ | 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 Board Exam Prep 2 ‡ | 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.
2025-2026 Program Flyer
Links & Resources
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.
Admission Requirements
A minimum of 24 college credits in areas specified by the state examining board are required for admission into this program
Waiting List
Academic Preparedness Requirements
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 Area Technical College
* Timely graduation = complete program in 1.5 times designated program length NATIONAL BOARD STATISTICS - Milwaukee Area Technical College
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Use the buttons below to get more information, visit the college or apply now.
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QUESTIONS?
Community & Human Services Academic & Career Pathway
414-570-4426
servepathway@matc.edu