Mortuary science, also called funeral service, is a very misunderstood field. Despite what some may think, this career is not just about working with the deceased. Rather, mortuary science offers incredibly rewarding, impactful work, and allows you to work with people in need. This article will reveal more about the top accredited mortuary science programs in California.
As a mortuary scientist, you become a shoulder to a bereaved family as they grieve their loss. This way, you offer humanitarian services as you help people through their vulnerable moments. See the table of contents below to see how this works in California.
Table of contents
- What is Mortuary Science all about? Is it a Good Career?
- What is a Mortuary Science Program?
- Why Mortuary Science Programs in California?
- How much does a Mortician earn in California?
- Which Body Accredits Funeral and Mortuary Science Programs in California?
- What are the Requirements for Mortuary Science Programs in California?
- Top 10 Schools that Offer Funeral and Mortuary Science Programs in California
- #1. American River College
- #2. Cypress College
- #3. Arapahoe Community College
- #4. University of Central Oklahoma
- #5. Mid-America College of Funeral Service
- #6. Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science
- #7. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- #8. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- #9. Gannon University
- #10. Point Park University
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
- Recommendations
What is Mortuary Science all about? Is it a Good Career?
Mortuary science is a course of study offered at institutions of higher education. Mortuary Science Programs in California is the study of deceased bodies and matters associated with funeral rites and practices.
A mortuary science degree will teach you the biology of the human body, how to examine corpses, and how to preserve and prepare the body, either for funeral services or for medical/research purposes.
Mortuary Science Programs in California, entail funeral service directors and morticians are career paths in mortuary science and are responsible for helping the people that enter the doors of the funeral home.
Mortician jobs require specialized skills that can provide security against competition and allows you to work with people in their daily work.
What is a Mortuary Science Program?
Mortuary science is, by definition, the study of deceased bodies, particularly regarding their burial and the bereavement of their families.
A person can get an associate’s degree in mortuary science at a junior or community college. As an alternative, some colleges and universities have bachelor’s degree programs in mortuary science.
Why Mortuary Science Programs in California?
California ranks in the top tier for employment of morticians and in the upper-mid range for mortician salaries, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Mortuary Science Programs in California mean morticians need at least an associate’s degree in mortuary science, though some employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree. Funeral Directors and Embalmers need licensure before commencing operation in California.
To learn Mortuary Science Programs in California, employers typically require one to three years of apprenticeship experience. Also, you must get the proper education and meet all state licensing regulations. On average, an Associate Degree is the highest level of education for a Mortician.
How much does a Mortician earn in California?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, morticians earn a mean annual wage of $57,620, or $27.70 per hour, as of May 2019. This is significantly higher than the median wage for all occupations, which is $39,810.
It is lower than the median wage for all funeral service workers, which is $58,310. Morticians in the top 10 percent of earners can make over $89,050 per year. The average pay for a Mortician in California who has gained mortuary science programs varies.
How much does a mortuary science program cost in California?
The average tuition & fees of the Funeral Service and Mortuary Science program at the schools are $4,703 for state residents students for the academic year.
The average annual out-of-state cost for a bachelor’s program in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Programs in California, general is $39,526 with an estimated average four-year degree total cost of $158,104.
Which Body Accredits Funeral and Mortuary Science Programs in California?
The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredits funeral and mortuary science programs. The ABFSE serves as the national academic accreditation agency for college and university programs in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Education and Mortuary Science Programs in California.
Although its roots go back to the 1940s, the ABFSE became an autonomous agency in 1962.
The US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation recognize the accrediting function of ABFSE. The program’s duration ranges from two to four years.
What are the Requirements for Mortuary Science Programs in California?
Specific requirements for funeral service and mortuary Science Programs in California include science classes, particularly biology, chemistry, and embalming procedures. Because of the emotionally sensitive nature of a mortician’s job, courses in psychology, interpersonal communication, and grief counseling are also required.
Top 10 Schools that Offer Funeral and Mortuary Science Programs in California
#1. American River College
American River College is in sunny Sacramento and offers students an accredited associate’s degree in funeral service education and mortuary Science Programs in California.
Besides a great education, ARC offers students a full range of support services including access to child care, peer tutoring, career services, and more. American River College has roots that trace back to 1942.
The accreditation body for this school’s program is the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).
The cost of tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students is $46 and $257, respectively. Also, the average program length is 2 years.
#2. Cypress College
Cypress College has a very affordable, accredited associate’s degree program in mortuary science programs in California.
With a first-time licensing board pass rate of 96% in arts and 100% in science, students who graduate from Cypress can feel assured that it fully prepared them for the demands of a mortician job.
In addition, students at Cypress have access to a wide variety of student support services and activities to provide a well-rounded educational experience to graduate from mortuary Science Programs in California.
The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) is the body responsible for accrediting the school’s Associate degree program. The cost of tuition is $46 and $236 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
#3. Arapahoe Community College
Arapahoe Community College offers an online associate’s degree in mortuary science programs that allows students from anywhere to get the degree they need.
While all the coursework for this program is online, it will require students to travel at their own expense to the campus for three labs and an internship.
Students can complete this program part-time or full-time. The accreditation body is the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).
Average Program Length: 18 months–2 years
Tuition: $358.55/credit hour.
#4. University of Central Oklahoma
The University of Central Oklahoma offers a funeral service and mortuary science degree program.
Partnered with the Calm Waters Center for Children & Families for its Summer Grief Workshop each June.
The University of Central Oklahoma is a public, co-ed MIAA member created in 1890 that’s endowed with $35.4 million to employ 834 faculty mentoring 15,067 undergrad Bronchos from 92 countries within eight colleges for 36 percent graduation. In 2018, Central Oklahoma won the AASCU Excellence in Student Success and Innovation Award.
In 2011, UCO accepted the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Leadership Award. The U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Central Oklahoma 87th for social mobility.
UCO was crowned America’s 244th top public school on Niche, 569th best university in Forbes, and 315th most diverse institution by College Factual.
The University makes courses like Embalming Chemistry and Funeral Service Statutory Law. Minimum 2.0 GPAs are required to complete “Transformative Learning”. It offers practical placements, such as Baggerley Funeral Home or Crawford Family Cremation Service, for NBE preparation.
Additional information;
Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service
In-State Tuition: $7,489
Out-of-State Tuition: $18,376
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Graduation Rate: 36 percent
Accreditation: BFSE-accredited
#5. Mid-America College of Funeral Service
The Mid-America College of Funeral Service offers cost-effective funeral service and mortuary science degrees.
Being a small private, nonsectarian specialized institution established in 1905, it gifts about $533,720 in financial aid yearly to 122 undergrads studying online or in Jeffersonville along the Ohio River.
The Mid-America College of Funeral Service’s distance education funeral service and mortuary science degree bills $11,900 per year. The ABFSE-accredited online pathway is reserved for licensed mortuary staff with 60 or more associate credits.
Transfers log into fast 11-week, 300-level major courses like Intercultural Appreciation, Stress Management, and Event Planning with zero practicum requirements. If chosen, undergrads can add the 10-credit Certificate in Thanatology or Certificate in Death Campaigning for End-of-Life Professionals.
Additional information includes;
Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service Management
In-State Tuition: $11,900
Out-of-State Tuition: $11,900
Student-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Graduation Rate: 92 percent
Accreditation: ABFSE-accredited
#6. Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science
Program Website:
Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science offers low-cost funeral services and a mortuary science degree program. Partnered with the University of Cincinnati’s Body Donation Program for its Embalming Applications Lab, the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science is the oldest private, non-profit funeral service school founded in March 1882.
It enrolls about 144 undergraduates on its 16-acre Finneytown campus at a 15:1 student-faculty ratio.
In 2019, CCMS had a $5,000 Funeral Service Foundation Scholarship Award recipient. In 2001, Cincinnati College had the Ohio Funeral Directors Association Outstanding Leadership Award winner.
College Factual ranked the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science top for funeral service programs. Forbes named Cincinnati the 63rd best city for careers and 79th top education location. Livability declared Cincinnati the 10th cheapest place to live in.
In-State Tuition: $17,775
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,775
Program: Bachelor of Mortuary Science
Duration: 16 months for full-time students with more than credits graded C or better. Accreditation: ABFSE-accredited.
Courses from Restorative Arts to Disaster Management. If needed, learners can transfer from the Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science. There’s also a Crematory Operator Certification Program.
Graduation Rate: 50 percent
#7. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is a flagship public, land-grant AAU member that’s affiliated with 30 Nobel Laureates. Minnesota accepted the NACHC Helping Build Healthy Communities Award in 2017.
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has 110 years of experience teaching courses like Funeral Arrangements Theory and Funeral Service Merchandising. Seniors complete two 16-week clinical rotations at more than 50 partners, such as Sunset Funeral Chapel or Bradshaw Cremation Services, for 96 percent job placement.
Second-degree bachelor’s students could even tackle the One-Year Accelerated Track from September to August.
Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science
In-State Tuition: $14,760
Out-of-State Tuition: $30,438
Student-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduation Rate: 80 percent
ABFSE-accredited
#8. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale offers high-value funeral service and mortuary science degree program. It was chosen as the Staff’s fourth most affordable college for funeral service and mortuary science degree majors with $14, 704 (in-state tuition).
The College of Applied Sciences & Arts presents Mortuary Science and Funeral Service for Land of Lincoln residents dedicated to quality death care.
With an ABFSE-accredited curriculum, four years of courses like Mortuary Regulations and Principles of Cremation. Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service
In-State Tuition: $14,704
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,160
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Graduation Rate: 41 percent
ABFSE-accredited
#9. Gannon University
Gannon University offers funeral service and mortuary science degree program. Funding the $3,000 Health Professions & Science Scholarship Competition each Fall.
This University is a private, nonprofit Catholic PSAC member founded in 1925 by the Diocese of Erie that’s endowed with $63.4 million to employ 347 faculty teaching 4,291 Golden Knights for 98 degrees with 67 percent six-year completion.
Gannon University, the 98-credit, MSCHE-accredited sequence integrates the Professional Lecture Series into Erie courses like Counseling Older Adults and Death & Dying.
Golden Knights complete 90 hours of embedded field experience placements, such as Brugger Funeral Homes or Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, for 98 percent certification.
The 16-credit Gerontology Minor might also be useful.
See other information here.
Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science
In-State Tuition: $32,136
Out-of-State Tuition: $32,136
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Graduation Rate: 67 percent
Accreditation: MSCHE-accredited
#10. Point Park University
Point Park University is a private, nonprofit RSC member that opened in 1960 that’s endowed with $47.1 million to support 4,099 Pioneers from 33 countries across 77 majors at a 12:1 student-faculty ratio.
At Point Park University, the Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering & Technology offers a high-value B.S. in Funeral Service for two custom concentrations: Health Science and Business Administration.
Associate in Specialized Business graduates chooses the 36-credit, 20-month Bachelor of Science Capstone Program instead.
Beyond courses like Psychology of Death and Bereavement Services, Pioneers finish trimester-long internships from Bucktrout Funeral Home to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Program: Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service
In-State Tuition: $31,450
Out-of-State Tuition: $31,450
Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Graduation Rate: 60 percent
Accreditation: MSCHE-accredited
Frequently Asked Questions
Finishing with a degree in funeral service and mortuary science will qualify you for several careers in helping survivors memorialize their dearly departed.
Funeral service managers supervise all day-to-day operations at funeral homes and hire needed staff on budget.
Embalmers preserve the corpse for funeral viewings by replacing bodily fluids with special chemical solutions.
Grief counselors provide short or long-term emotional support to sorrowful loved ones during their mourning period. Cemetery administrators manage large burial grounds by selling grave plots and performing necessary.
The National Institute on Aging reports that over 500 million people globally are now at least 65 years old. By 2030, one out of every eight people will be senior citizens. Having a large elderly population entering the final years of their lives will spark job growth for mortuary service staff. A career in Mortuary science is a career with a future and should be embraced.
References
- https://www.arapahoe.edu › programs
- https://www.kckcc.edu › aas › mort…
- kckcc
- Canton
- Eicc.edu
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=
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