Funeral Service Education (ASCT)

About This Degree

Are you ready for a career that helps others and lets you work with members of your community? Do you have a strong interest in biological science and business? If so, the Funeral Service Education Program at Vincennes University has what you are looking for!

This major offers flexible options, such as courses available online and on campus.  There is also affordable tuition. Vincennes University continues to offer the lowest tuition of any residential college in Indiana. Click here to find out more about Tuition, Fees and General Expenses. Financial Aid and scholarships are available to those that qualify. Visit the website for more information: http://vinu.edu/web/financial-services/welcome. With successful completion of the A.S. Program allows students to transfer to a baccalaureate institution.

State Licensure/Certification Information

Program Admission Requirements

1. Meet admission requirements for the University.
2. Qualify for minimum placement into MATT 109 with no co-requisite as determined by appropriate placement tests, or receive appropriate transfer credit.
3. Qualify for placement into ENGL 101 with no co-requisite or higher as determined by appropriate placement tests, or receive appropriate transfer credit.
4. Hold no grade less than a C in any required course in the Funeral Service Education Curriculum.
5. GPA Requirements
   • High School students must have a high school GPA of at least 2.3.
   • Students with completed college level courses must hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Funeral Service Education Student Handbook

Beyond the Classroom

In addition to the lecture, students will gain hands-on experience during embalming courses. Students will work with licensed embalmers to gain the skills needed for a rewarding career in Funeral Services. Students  can also learn about the methods and techniques used to restore facial features in FNRL 120 Restorative Arts. *Distance Education students will be required to travel to Indiana to complete required embalmings, embalming certification and the restorative art principles application review during the final spring semester of the program.

Our Funeral Service Education Program has been turning out high quality licensed Funeral Directors and Embalmers since 1975. We are the premier choice in Funeral Service Education with a long-standing track record of success and American Board of Funeral Service Education accreditation. The program will adhere to ethical practices in all student-related matters.

Library & Learning Resources Support

Funeral Service Handout

Library & Learning Resources Support Guide

Library and Learning Resources Support for Funeral Service Education

Accreditation

The Funeral Service Education associate degree program at Vincennes University 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. For full accreditation information, click here

National Board Examination scores, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at http://www.abfse.org/index.html. To request a printed copy of this program's scores and rates, go to the Funeral Service Education Program office, located in the Center for Health Sciences building, Room 212, or by email at hshp@vinu.edu, or by telephone at 812-888-5469.

Additional information, including medial annual wages information, can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/funeral-service-occupations.htm

Indiana State Standards: http://www.in.gov/pla/funeral.htm

National Standards: http://www.nfda.org/careers/licensing-requirements
***Please use the above link to check your individual state requirements for individual licensure as each state has differing requirements for obtaining a professional license as a funeral director/embalmer***

Upon completion of an accredited program, 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.

Career Outcomes

PROGRAM INFORMATION - Vincennes 

*Timely graduation = complete program in 1½ times designated program length.
**Graduation rate reflects cohort graduation rate (% of students from original cohort completing in the designated year)
***Left before completing the program; did not finish.

 NATIONAL BOARD STATISTICS - Vincennes University

School pass rate is based on 1st time test takers within one year of graduation. Contact the program directly for information regarding success of Distance Education graduates.