2161 - Funeral Services (A.S.)

This is a Limited/Selective Access program.

To educate students in every phase of funeral services so that program graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in funeral service.

The Funeral Services Associate in Science degree (A.S.) program is committed to the encouragement of lifelong learning in a positive environment, supportive of professional and networking opportunities to enhance the student’s professional growth, and to develop skilled and caring practitioners to serve both the living and the dead. It is offered in an innovative and flexible learning environment to develop students who have an interest in becoming professional end-of-life care givers. The curriculum integrates entry-level knowledge of funeral directing, technical skills, and scenarios in an on-campus laboratory. The program has an active practicum learning environment by partnering with area funeral professionals to allow the student to experience firsthand and receive knowledge of actual funeral procedures. The program is committed to encourage lifelong learning in a positive non-discriminatory and supportive environment to enhance community involvement, scholarly research, and a better-quality life, and respect for the dead.

This A.S. degree program in funeral services requires a minimum of two years of college education, but students who have completed all general education courses upon admission to the professional phase of the program may be able to complete the program in a minimum of 16 months. Because the funeral services program includes mortuary science and basic science courses, high school preparation should include biology and chemistry. In addition, the program includes courses in liberal arts (such as English, humanities, and ethics), sciences (such as anatomy and pathology), and clinical sciences (such as embalming and restorative arts). The Florida licensure process requires passing the National Board Examination (a written comprehensive examination), serving a one-year internship under the direction of a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and passing a Florida examination on rules and regulations.

All courses in the funeral services program are offered online except the embalming laboratory/clinicals which are held at the FSCJ North Campus embalming facility. Special concentrated embalming laboratory/clinicals are offered to accommodate out-of-area students. In addition, the professional practicum provides experience and/or participation in a funeral home setting under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director/embalmer.

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in all Professional Coursework with the exceptions of the following: FSE2100L and FSE2140L along with FSE2930 and FSE2931 which require a grade a grade of P (pass). Students must achieve a minimum of 85% to pass FSE2930 and FSE2931.

National Board Examination Statistics

National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs.

Program Information - Florida State College at Jacksonville

*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 - Florida State College at Jacksonville

*School pass rate is based on 1st time test takers within one-year of graduation.

The Associate in Science in Funeral Services degree program at Florida State College at Jacksonville is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097, (816) 233-3747.

National Board Examinations pass rates, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available on the ABFSE website.

Acceptance into the Funeral Services program is based upon academic performance and other criteria. To be considered as a qualified applicant, individuals must complete the following by the application deadline:

1. Acceptance to Florida State College at Jacksonville.

2. A minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in all college work to be used for the degree.

3. Submit current Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment (HESI/A2 Elselvier A2 Preadmission Test Scores).
   Note: A complete HESI/A2 administration is required and is made up of nine (9) sub-tests that must be completed in one sitting. Scores are taken from a single complete administration that is most advantageous to the applicant. A minimum score of 65% is required on the grammar, reading comprehension and vocabulary sub-tests.

4. Completion of the Funeral Services program application.

5. Proof of high school completion required. If applicable, all postsecondary transcripts are required.

6. Completion of 7-credit hours of prerequisite coursework prior to the application deadline for the Funeral Services program and prior to beginning the Professional coursework (FSE prefix) phase of the Funeral Services program.

Note: Admissions preference is given to fully qualified candidates who have met all entrance criteria, including the satisfaction of prerequisite courses. Should seats remain available in the program cohort, applicants who fulfill admissions criteria prior to the start of the program will be considered next.

The application deadline is May 15 of each year with classes starting in the fall term.

(904) 646-2300 or hcic@fscj.edu.

Upon completion of the Funeral Services Program at Florida State College at Jacksonville, students will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve.

2. Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.

3. Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.

4. Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains.

5. Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.

6. Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.

7. Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains.

8. Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.

9. Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.

10. Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.

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