The Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service Education is designed to prepare students for a career in funeral service. All aspects of funeral service will be taught within the scope of this program. Academic and technical skills will be taught in the areas of general business, industry regulations and laws, embalming and restorative art skills, funeral service applications, funeral home management, grief counseling, etc. The goal is to prepare the student for successful completion of all necessary board examinations and to prepare the student for the rigors of daily work within the funeral service industry. The goals of the Funeral Service Education program are to promote and improve the standards of funeral service education and professionalism, to expose funeral service students to all aspects of the profession, and foster a desire to serve the public interest in an ethical, dignified manner.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service Education are prepared for employment primarily in funeral home settings, although some related fields, such as embalming operations within medical college anatomy departments, trade embalming facilities, and autopsy support operations, are possible employment opportunities. Typically, a graduate who has passed all required board examinations and who has completed the required apprenticeship may be employed as a licensed funeral director/licensed embalmer. Prior to completion of apprenticeship and the subsequent licensure, the graduate would be employed as an apprentice funeral director/embalmer.
Aims and Objectives
The Funeral Service Education program at Ogeechee Technical College has as its central aim the recognition of funeral service personnel as members of a human services profession; members of the community in which they serve; participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession; professionals knowledgeable of and compliant with federal, state, provincial/territorial, and local regulatory guidelines in the geographic area where they practice, as well as professionals sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety, and welfare in caring for human remains. The Funeral Service Education program also has the following objectives: to enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession; to educate students in every phase of funeral service and to help enable them to develop proficiency and skills necessary for the profession; to educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral service profession to the community at large; to emphasize high standards of ethical conduct; to provide a curriculum at the post-secondary level of instruction; and to encourage student and faculty research in the field of funeral service.
Accreditation/Approval
The Funeral Service Education associate degree program at Ogeechee Technical College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097, Phone 816.233.3747. Web: www.abfse.org
Licensure/Certification
To become licensed in the State of Georgia, a student must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application; be of good moral character; and have successfully complete the course of study at an accredited Funeral Service Education program. Upon completion of the Associates of Applied Science degree, applicants must pass a two-part exam with the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and successfully pass state laws exam, and complete the required 3,120 hours of service as an apprentice as specified in Rule 250-4-.02 and in O.C.G.A. Section 43-18-50.
National Board Examination
National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org. To request a printed copy of this program’s rates, visit Ogeechee Technical College, Health Science Building South, Office 533 or e-mail mrupar@ogeecheetech.edu or call 912-871-1960.
Admissions Criteria
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
| Test |
Reading |
Writing |
Numerical |
Algebra |
| Accuplacer |
64 |
70 |
NA |
57 |
| Accuplacer (Next Gen) |
236 |
249 |
NA |
245 |
| Compass |
79 |
62 |
NA |
37 |
| SAT |
17 |
17 |
NA |
21 |
| SAT |
290 |
290 |
NA |
380 |
| ACT |
16 |
14 |
NA |
17 |
| ASSET |
42 |
41 |
39 |
42 |
| PSAT |
17 |
17 |
NA |
21 |
| GED |
NA |
145 |
NA |
145 |
NOTE: Students with no funeral home experience or affiliation are encouraged to have three interviews with licensed funeral director/embalmers.
Admissions Policy – After the completion of all general core classes, COLL 1010, ACCT 1100, MKTG 1130 or ACCT 2140, and SPCH 1100, students are eligible to take Funeral Service Program courses.
Policy Regarding FSRV 2100 – FSRV 2100 Funeral Service Seminar is a capstone course designed as an in-depth review of the 13 subjects which are on the National Board Exam (NBE). Completion of the comprehensive National Board Practice Examination with a score of 90% or better is required to be released to sit for the National Board Examination.
The final approval to sit for the NBE will be given after successful evaluation of the student’s academic and clinical record by the Funeral Service Education Program Director.
Funeral Service Education Degree Curriculum
The curriculum for the Funeral Service Education degree program is designed for the semester system. A student may enter the program any semester for general education classes. To graduate, degree-seeking students must earn a minimum of 72 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 1245 contact hours and generally takes 6 semesters to complete.
Program Courses
General Education Core (15 Credits)
Area I – Language Arts/Communication (3 Credits)
ENGL 1101: “B” or higher grade is required for this course.
Area II – Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Credits)
Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 Credits)
Select one
Area IV Humanities/Fine Arts (3 Credits)
Program-Specific Requirements (3 Credits)
Occupational Courses (57 Credits)
FSRV 1010, FSRV 1020, FSRV 1030, FSRV 2000, FSRV 2010, FSRV 2020, FSRV 2030, FSRV 2080, FSRV 1050, FSRV 1070, FSRV 2060 and FSRV 2090: “B” or higher grade is required for all these courses.
Program Costs
Tuition ($100 per credit hour): $7,200
Fees ($370 per semester): $2,220
Books/Supplies: $1,100
Liability Insurance: $10 per fiscal year
National Board Exam: $500
TB Test: $40
Hepatitis B Series: $265
Drug Screening: $30
Criminal Background Check: $80
Course Supply Fees:
- FSRV 2030 Embalming Techniques: $30
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)