Online mortuary science degree programs
provide students with the basic principles and skills needed to work in
the funeral service industry. Students can find several associate's
degree options available through online study. Associate's degree
programs prepare students for state and national funeral service
certification exams.
Overview of an Online Mortuary Science Associate's Degree Program
Online students pursuing this associate's degree gain the technical
experience and required skills to work in funeral homes, as funeral home
directors or embalmers. The program teaches students the ethical and
legal issues of handling bodies and communicating with families. Online
students learn the responsibilities that funeral service workers have to
the communities in which they work, and the requirements for fulfilling
state and local funeral regulations.
Students can earn an Associate in
Applied Science
in Mortuary Science through a hybrid of online classes and on-campus
lab work. Most classes can be completed via the Internet or through
video conferencing. Some programs require that embalming and anatomy be
taken on-campus in order to utilize the labs available to fully
on-campus students. The online mortuary science associate's degree can
be completed in three years.
List of Common Courses in the Online Mortuary Science Associate's Degree Program
The online program requires completion of core courses including
accounting, business law, psychology and math. Online mortuary science
students take chemistry courses related to the field of funeral service.
Anatomy Course
Students study the body's major systems, especially the circulatory
and muscular systems. Basic terminology and overview of cells and organs
are covered in this course. Lab work includes dissection and cadaver
experience. This course requires on-campus attendance.
Mortuary Management Course
The online mortuary management course addresses the basic
requirements of setting up and operating a funeral home. Through this
course, students learn basic office management skills, understand how to
select a location and personnel for a funeral home and review required
documentation for disposal of human remains. Additional topics include
survivor benefits, funeral terminology and types of funerals.
Embalming Course
This hands-on course teaches fundamental embalming procedures and
techniques. Students learn to position bodies, pose facial features and
raise veins. The course examines embalming chemicals, disinfection,
blood drainage and fluid injection. The technical nature of this course
requires on-campus lab work.
Laws and Ethics Course
The law and ethics course analyzes the rights and responsibilities of
funeral service employees. Topics include the body's legal status,
cemetery law and wills. Students review estate administration, disposal
rights and compliance with regulatory agencies.
Restorative Art Course
Students learn about anatomical modeling, use of cosmetics and
techniques of restorative art. The course covers bone structure, facial
muscles and color. Additional topics include wax treatments and mouth
and eye modeling.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA),
requirements for pursuing a career in the field of mortuary science
include an associate's degree in mortuary science, a 1-year internship
and completion of state and national exams (
www.nfda.org). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that the number of
funeral director careers will increase by 12% during the period of 2008-2018 (
www.bls.gov).
The median salary for embalmers as of 2009 was $40,620, the BLS
reported, while funeral directors earned a median salary of $52,210 in
2008.
Continuing Education and Licensure
Students interested in advanced education can pursue a bachelor's
degree in funeral home management. Students must complete national and
state exams prior to completing their associate's degree. After
graduation, students complete a 1-year internship before seeking regular
employment at a funeral home. Continuing education in mortuary science
is available for degree holders through the NFDA.
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