Funeral Service Education: AAS
Associate in Applied Science | 74 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Education, Public Service, and Social Sciences
Program Description:
Forest Park
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Funeral Service Education at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park prepares students for any entry level position as a funeral director and embalmer in a funeral home. The Funeral Service associate degree program at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park 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. National Board Examination scores, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org. To request a printed copy of this program’s scores and rates, go to the Funeral Service Education program office, Forest Park campus, Room W-407, or by email at dcoughran@stlcc.edu, or by telephone, 314-644-9327.
Please check the college website https://www.stlcc.edu/programs-academics/pathways/human-studies/funeral-services-education.aspx for student learning outcomes and additional updates and information regarding the accreditation status of the program.
Prerequisites: Prior to applying for admission to the Funeral Service Education program, the student must submit a program application, three professional character references, a written personal narrative and complete a minimum of 40 hours of documented job shadowing which has been completed and verified under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and which must also occur in an unaffiliated and licensed funeral service establishment. In addition, the student is required to meet with the program director and/or other Funeral Service Education faculty for a personal interview.
Location. This program is offered in its entirety at Forest Park.
Licensure. This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in the following states: Missouri and Illinois. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected 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 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.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| BIO 111 | Introductory Biology I (MOTR BIOL 100L) | 4 |
| MTH 108 | Elementary Applied Mathematics (or higher) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 |
| IS 116 | Computer Literacy | 3 |
| COM 101 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) | 3 |
| ACC 100 | Applied Accounting | 3 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| FSE 101 | History and Sociology of Funeral Service | 3 |
| BIO 103 | Anatomy for Funeral Service | 3 |
| FSE 102 | Dynamics of Grief Management | 3 |
| FSE 103 | Funeral Directing | 3 |
| FSE 104 | Funeral Directing Practicum | 2 |
| FSE 105 | Funeral Directing Practicum II | 2 |
| FSE 106 | Mortuary Law and Ethics | 3 |
| FSE 107 | Funeral Service Merchandising | 2 |
| FSE 201 | Funeral Home Management | 3 |
| FSE 210 | Embalming | 3 |
| FSE 203 | Embalming Practicum I | 2 |
| FSE 205 | Embalming Practicum II | 2 |
| FSE 206 | Restorative Art | 4 |
| FSE 211 | Microbiology for Funeral Service | 3 |
| FSE 209 | Pathology for Funeral Service | 3 |
| FSE 208 | Funeral Service Seminar | 3 |
| FSE 108 | Embalming Chemistry | 2 |
| FSE 212 | Embalming II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 74 | |
Student must have successfully completed all requirements listed below prior to applying to the funeral service education program.
General Requirements
- Apply to STLCC as a degree-seeking student
- Send transcripts
- Official College Transcripts: An official transcript from each college attended must be sent directly from the college attended to STLCC-Registrar’s Office, 5600 Oakland Avenue, St. Louis, 63110 or email: csr@stlcc.edu. Hand carried or faxed transcripts will NOT be accepted.
- High School Transcripts or GED: Required only for students with fewer than 15 hours of college level work or those who have satisfied the science requirements in high school. Current high school students must submit a final high school transcript before applying to the funeral service education program.
- Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75 in high school or for 15 hours (minimum) of college work. Students with fewer than 15 hours of college credit must have both a 2.75 GPA in high school and 2.75 GPA in college.
- GED Applicants: must have 15 hours of (100 level) college credits with a 2.75 GPA.
- STLCC students with at least 15 college level credits with a 2.75 GPA: will have met this requirement, regardless of the GPA at other colleges.
- College transfer students with fewer than 15 STLCC credits: must have a cumulative 2.75 GPA in college level credits earned at all colleges attended. NOTE: Developmental courses (numbered below 100) will NOT be counted toward the 15 hours of college work and will NOT be included in the GPA for admission to the program.
- Reading: Complete the following to meet the reading prerequisite
- Demonstrate college-level reading competency.
- English: Complete the following to meet the English prerequisite
- Completion of ENG 101 English Composition I with a grade of "C" or higher.
- Math: Complete the following to meet the math prerequisite
- Placement into MTH 108 Elementary Applied Mathematics or higher-level math within the last five years.
- Biology: Complete the following to meet the biology prerequisite
- Completion of BIO 111 Introduction to Biology with a grade of "C" or higher.
- Psychology: Complete the following to meet the psychology prerequisite
- Completion of PSY 200 General Psychology with a grade of "C" or higher.
Funeral Service Education Requirements
The following requirements are specific to the Funeral Services Department.
- Job Shadowing: Complete a minimum of 40 hours of documented job shadowing which has been completed and verified under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director.
- History and Sociology of Funeral Service: Completion of FSE 101 History and Sociology of Funeral Service with a grade of "C" or higher.
When all academic and funeral service education criteria have been met, students must submit a separate funeral service education program application, signed by a student success advisor, and returned by email to STLCC-FuneralServices@stlcc.edu. See an advisor to obtain a funeral service education program application.
NOTE: Admission and degree requirements are subject to change without advance notice.
Full-Time Academic Plan
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Spring 2025, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| BIO 111 | Introductory Biology I (MOTR BIOL 100L) | 4 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| MTH 108 | Elementary Applied Mathematics (or higher) | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| FSE 101 | History and Sociology of Funeral Service | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| BIO 103 | Anatomy for Funeral Service | 3 | BIO 111 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| IS 116 | Computer Literacy | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 102 | Dynamics of Grief Management | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 103 | Funeral Directing | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 104 | Funeral Directing Practicum | 2 | Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 108 | Embalming Chemistry | 2 | FSE 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 19 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| COM 101 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) | 3 | Concurrent enrollment in ENG 070 or Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 105 | Funeral Directing Practicum II | 2 | FSE 103 and FSE 104 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 106 | Mortuary Law and Ethics | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 107 | Funeral Service Merchandising | 2 | Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 201 | Funeral Home Management | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 210 | Embalming | 3 | BIO 103 and FSE 101 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 203 | Embalming Practicum I | 2 | BIO 103 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 211 | Microbiology for Funeral Service | 3 | BIO 111 and FSE 101 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 21 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| ACC 100 | Applied Accounting | 3 | Reading Proficiency | Apply for graduation. |
| FSE 212 | Embalming II | 3 | FSE 210 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 205 | Embalming Practicum II | 2 | FSE 210 and FSE 203, both with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 206 | Restorative Art | 4 | FSE 210 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 209 | Pathology for Funeral Service | 3 | Admission to AAS/FSE program, BIO 103, FSE 210, and FSE 101 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| FSE 208 | Funeral Service Seminar | 3 | Approval of AAS/FSE Program Director, eligibility for completion of and graduation from the AAS/FSE program and Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 74 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.
The Funeral Service Education, Associate in Applied Science program's pre-entry requirements will change for students enrolling in the program for fall 2025.
Application to the program is selective. Prior to applying for admission to the Funeral Service Education program for fall 2025, the student must:
-
Complete BIO 111 with a minimum grade of "C".
-
Complete FSE 101 with a minimum grade of "C".
-
Complete ENG 101 with a minimum grade of "C".
-
Complete PSY 200 with a minimum grade of "C".
-
Submit a program application.
-
Complete a minimum of 40 hours of documented job shadowing which has been completed and verified under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director and must also occur in an unaffiliated and licensed funeral service establishment.