Public Service Technology: FUNERAL SERVICES

• Associate of Applied Science Degree: Funeral Services (155)

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Funeral Services provides an extensive program designed to prepare students for careers in the complex field of mortuary science.  A diversified curriculum addresses the changing needs and demands of contemporary funeral directing, embalming, and business management.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:  (1) demonstrate proper embalming and restoration techniques with minimum supervision; (2) demonstrate an understanding of the effects of disease and the importance of sanitation in the handling of human remains; (3) apply ethical and management principles to all aspects of making funeral arrangements with minimum supervision; (4) demonstrate an understanding of how to write pre-need and at-need contracts; (5) direct a funeral with minimum supervision; (6) and set up and maintain an OSHA approved preparation room.

Aims and Objectives

• To maintain a high level of post-secondary education designed to prepare students for successful careers as funeral service professionals.
• To provide an extensive curriculum designed to address all aspects of funeral service, thereby helping students develop a level of skill and proficiency necessary to compete in this ever changing field.
• To instill in students the desire and knowledge to serve the public with the highest ethical standards.
• To encourage and provide a forum where students and industry professionals may conduct research related to funeral service.
• To promote a positive image of the profession and its practitioners.
• To serve the funeral service community by providing continuing education and life-long learning.
• To make students ever mindful of their responsibilities to the profession and the clients they serve.
• To encourage students to contribute to the community in which they serve, while cognizant of all regulatory issues pertinent to the health, public safety, and "care of the deceased".

The funeral service program is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 3432 Ashland Avenue, Suite U, St. Joseph, Missouri, 64506, (816) 233-3747.  Web: www.abfse.org.  In order to receive a Funeral Service license in the Commonwealth of Virginia, an individual must: (1) complete an accredited program of mortuary science; (2) pass the National Board Examination; (3) complete a 3,000 hour apprenticeship; and (4) pass the State examination.

Completion of the National Board Examination (NBE) is a requirement for graduation from TCC Funeral Service Program. The cost of the exam is $350. The annual passage rate for first-time takers on the National Board Examination and all American Board of Funeral Service Education accredited schools is posted on the ABFSE website www.abfse.org.

Admission Requirements and Special Conditions

• A high school diploma (or equivalent) and satisfactory scores on college placement tests in English and mathematics are required.
• All Funeral Service students must have started the Hepatitis-B series of shots upon entering the program.
• Students must apply to the program and meet with the program head to be placed in the Funeral Service curriculum.
• Prior to placement into the curriculum, students must have completed ACC 211, CHM 110, and FNS 121 with grades of C or better.
• A grade of C or better must be earned in all FNS courses and in SOC 246 and PSY 116. Students will be required to have completed twenty four credit hours in order to enroll in FNS 111, FNS 112, FNS 113, FNS 114, FNS 211, FNS 212, FNS 231 and FNS 232. In order to take the second part of a sequence course, a grade of C or better must be earned in the first part.

Transcripts from other colleges attended must be on file at TCC Central Records Office, P.O. Box 9000, Norfolk, Virginia, 23509, prior to the application deadline. These transcripts must be evaluated before any transfer credit is granted.

This program is offered at the Virginia Beach Campus.

Associate of Applied Science Degree: Funeral Services (155)

SEMESTER 1 (BASED ON A FALL SEMESTER START)
Course Number	Course Title	Credits	Prerequisite
ACC 211	Principles of Accounting I	3
CHM 110	Survey of Chemistry	3
ENG 111	College Composition I	3	Placement
FNS 121	Anatomy for Funeral Service I	3
HLT 141	Introduction to Medical Terminology	2
PSY 116	Psychology of Death and Dying	3
SDV 100	College Success Skills	1
	SEMESTER TOTAL	18

SEMESTER 2
Course Number	Course Title	Credits	Prerequisite
ENG 112	College Composition II	3	ENG 111
FNS 125	Microbiology for Funeral Service	3	Admission to Program
ITE 115	Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts	4
REL	Religion Elective	3
SOC 246	Death and Society	3
	Health/Physical Education1	2
	SEMESTER TOTAL	18

SEMESTER 3
Course Number	Course Title	Credits	Prerequisite
FNS 110	Introduction to Funeral Service	2	Instructor Permission
FNS 111	Theory of Embalming I	3	Co-req: FNS 113 and Instructor Permission
FNS 113	Theory of Embalming Laboratory I	1	Co-req: FNS 111 and Instructor Permission
FNS 126	Pathology for Funeral Service	3	Instructor Permission
FNS 211	Restorative Art I	3	Instructor Permission
FNS 231	Principles of Funeral Management I	4	Instructor Permission
	SEMESTER TOTAL	16

SEMESTER 4
Course Number	Course Title	Credits	Prerequisite
FNS 112	Theory of Embalming II	3	FNS 111 and FNS 113; Co-req: FNS 114
FNS 114	Theory of Embalming Laboratory II	1	FNS 111 and FNS 113; Co-req: FNS 112
FNS 212	Restorative Art II	3	FNS 211
FNS 232	Principles of Funeral Service Management II	4	FNS 231
FNS 236	Funeral Service Law	3	Instructor Permission
FNS 270	Funeral Service Review	3	Instructor Permission
	SEMESTER TOTAL	17
	TOTAL MINIMUM CREDITS	69

1      Eligible courses are listed on page 64 in the 2008-2009 catalog.  See your academic

        advisor or counselor to choose the appropriate course(s).