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 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 to foster a desire to serve the public interest in an ethical, dignified manner. All Funeral Service Education students are eligible to take the National Board Examination upon graduation from the program.
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.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Funeral Service Education program at Ogeechee Technical College, students will be able to:
- 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.
Accreditation/Approval
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Funeral Service Education at Ogeechee Technical College 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
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
See Eligible Applicants.
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, COMP 1000, ACCT 1100, MKTG 1130 or ACCT 2140, and SPCH 1101, 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 practice exams of the National Board Examination with a score of 90% or better. This 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 1,245 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 and Fees
Liability Insurance: Liability Insurance (click to find your program)
National Board Exam: $500
TB Test: $40
Hepatitis B Series: $265
Drug Screening: $30
Criminal Background Check: $80
Course Supply Fees: Funeral Service Education (click to find individual course fees)
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)