Funeral Service Education Degree:  A.S. -  Funeral Service Education Area: Health & Education Dean: Steven Boyd Coordinator: Jeffrey Stephenson Phone: (916) 484-8432 Counseling: (916) 484-8572

A Career in Funeral Service

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ARC Program Mission 

The Funeral Service Education program at American River College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 3432 Ashland Avenue, Suite U, St. Joseph, MO 64506 (816) 233-3747.

The program will prepare students for entry-level employment in the funeral service industry; provide a strong theory-based curriculum and related clinical experience reflective of the current industry standard; and maintain or exceed the standards put forth by the accrediting board.

The American River College program began in 2002, assuming leadership of the program previously run by the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science (SFCMS).

ARC Program 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 the proficiency and skills necessary for the profession as defined by the American Board of Funeral Service Education

·        To educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral services profession to the community at large

·         To emphasize high standards of ethical conduct

·         To provide a curriculum at the post secondary level of instruction

·         To encourage students and faculty research in the field of funeral services

·         To equip students with information related to the social, legal, psychological, religious and public health issues that are associated with death

·        To offer students a comprehensive curriculum that will challenge their academic abilities that are consistent with the curriculum required by the American Board of Funeral Service Education

·        To prepare students for success on the National Board Examination, as well as, state examination

Courses are designed to meet the prerequisite for licensure and employment in the funeral service industry as funeral directors and embalmers through courses in biology, chemistry, funeral service management, embalming, restorative art, funeral service fundamentals, counseling, accounting, and funeral service law and ethics. Coursework will be conducted on the ARC campus, while the clinical component will be offered off campus at local funeral industry sites.

Goals of the Funeral Service Education Program

As an accredited mortuary college our program goals and objectives are as follows:

·         To prepare students to be members of a human services profession

·         To prepare students to be members of the community in which they serve

·         To be participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession

·        To offer professional knowledge of and compliance with federal, state provincial/territorial, and local regulatory guidelines

·         To be sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety and welfare in caring for human remains

Getting Started

Entering the program of study involves three steps, outlined below. For complete program information, contact the Health & Education office at (916) 484-8432, or the counseling center at (916) 484-8572. 

STEP 1: Complete Required Pre-FSE Courses 

Before entering the Funeral Service Education program, students must successfully complete the following courses:

• BIOL 102: Introduction to Concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology

• FSE 100: Introduction to Funeral Service Education

STEP 2: Counseling and Submission of Application

• After completing the prerequisite courses, request a pre-enrollment form from the  Health and Education Division office. Call (916) 484-8432 for the current application deadline.

• Students must make an appointment with a counselor (in the semester before the program begins) to obtain a current Curriculum Planning Summary Sheet, which must be included with a completed pre-enrollment application packet. Call (916) 484-8572.

STEP 3: A.S. in FSE Degree Program

• After completing the prerequisites and being accepted into the program, students must successfully complete the required number of units leading to the Associate in Science in Funeral Service Education.  For details, see the college catalog.  The information sheet is currently being updated and will be online shortly.

Requirements for Degree Major: 60.5 units

Core Requirements (Units)

ACCT 101, BIOL 102, BIOL 130, BUS 340, CHEM 130, CISC 300,  ENGWR 300,  PSYC 390, SPEECH 301 or 331, FSE 100, 110,111, 120,130, 140, 121, 150, 170, 297

Concentration Sequence for A.S. Degree Major (Units)

FSE 110 Funeral Directing I (2)

FSE 111 Funeral Directing II (2)

FSE 120 Embalming I (3)

FSE 121 Embalming II (2)

FSE 130 Restorative Art (3.5)

FSE 140 Pathology (2)

FSE 150 Funeral Service Management (3)

FSE 155 Merchandising (3)

FSE 160 Funeral Service Law and Ethics (3) 

FSE 170 Funeral Service Counseling (3)

FSE 297 Funeral Service Internship (5)

General Education Graduation Requirements
 

Students must also complete the general education graduation requirements for an A.S. degree.  Area B Humanities; AREA C1, C2 Social Science; Area E1, E2 Physical Education; Area F Ethnic/Multicultural Studies; Competency in Reading and Math. (See College Graduation Requirements).  We recommend that math competency be completed prior to entering the Funeral Service Education program.

Other Important Information

• Program costs are approximately $600. School fees are additional. Check the college website for current student fees. Note that students who have not established legal residence in California are required to pay an additional tuition fee in addition to the enrollment fee.

• The student is responsible for providing appropriate attire, lab fees, necessary equipment, and transportation to off-campus lab locations.

• A grade of C or better is required in each course for progression in the program and for an A.S. degree in Funeral Service Education.

• Successful completion of the program qualifies the student to take the California Board Examination to become a licensed embalmer and eligible for employment.  After January 1, 2004, all students who plan to graduate from the American River College Funeral Service Education program must take the National Board Examination. 

• Note: A person convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation will be required to declare this on the application to take the licensing exam. This may affect eligibility for the written exam.)

For More Information & Forms

Call:

• Health and Education Office  (916) 484-8432

• ARC Counseling Center (916) 484-8572

Or write:

Funeral Service Education Program
Health and Education Division
American River College
4700 College Oak Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95841-4286

Or e-mail: 

• Program Director Jeffrey Stephenson at stepheje@arc.losrios.edu

Program Forms:  

Grade In-Progress Verification

Final Grade Verification

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