Mortuary Science, Associate in Applied Science

College(s):

Malcolm X

Program Code: 0257

Program Requirements

General Education Coursework (Program Prerequisites) 1
ENGLISH 101Composition (or higher General Education English)3
SPEECH 101Fundamentals of Speech Communication3
MATH 118General Education Math (or higher General Education Math course)4
BIOLOGY 120Terminology For Medical Careers3
BIOLOGY 116Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology4
or BIOLOGY 226
BIOLOGY 227
Human Structure and Function I
and Human Structure and Function II
Required Program Core
MOR SCI 117History of Funeral Service3
MOR SCI 118Microbiology & Pathology for Embalmers3
MOR SCI 119Chemistry For Embalmers3
MOR SCI 120Social Science for Funeral Service3
MOR SCI 121Restorative Art3
MOR SCI 122Embalming Theory I3
MOR SCI 123Funeral Directing & Cremation3
MOR SCI 124Anatomy for Embalmers3
MOR SCI 217Business Communication3
MOR SCI 218Mortuary And Business Law3
MOR SCI 219Restorative Art Laboratory3
MOR SCI 220Embalming Theory II3
MOR SCI 221Funeral Management with Accounting3
MOR SCI 222Embalming Laboratory2
MOR SCI 223Funeral Merchandising3
MOR SCI 224Advanced Mortuary Practice Capstone4
Total Hours65
1

At least one course must meet the Human Diversity (HD) requirement.

Pathway

This is an example course sequence for students interested in earning a degree in Mortuary Science. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If this pathway is followed as outlined, you will earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Mortuary Science.

The Associate in Applied Science degree program in Mortuary Science prepares students enrolled in the program with work-based experiences in how to embalm and restore human remains, arrange and conduct religious and humanistic funerals, memorial services, manage funeral home operations, sell funeral merchandise, assist grieving families, and assist members of the medical profession in areas related to human remains. Funeral home establishments may employ students prior to the state of Illinois required internship. The program is in compliance with the standards, guidelines, and curriculum of the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSE), the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR).

For additional accreditation-specific information related to the program learning outcomes of the Mortuary Science program, please see the following link: https://www.ccc.edu/colleges/malcolm-x/programs/Pages/Mortuary-Science---Mission.aspx.

Prospective students must apply for admission into the Mortuary Science program.

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
Prerequisites and General Education  
ENGLISH 101 Composition (or higher general education English course) 1,2 3
MATH 118 General Education Math (or higher general education math course) 1. 2 4
BIOLOGY 116 Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology 1,2,3 4
 Hours11
Semester 2
Prerequisites and General Education  
SPEECH 101 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 1,2 3
BIOLOGY 120 Terminology For Medical Careers 1,2 3
 Hours6
Semester 3
MOR SCI 117 History of Funeral Service 3
MOR SCI 118 Microbiology & Pathology for Embalmers 3
MOR SCI 119 Chemistry For Embalmers 3
MOR SCI 120 Social Science for Funeral Service 3
 Hours12
Semester 4
MOR SCI 121 Restorative Art 3
MOR SCI 122 Embalming Theory I 3
MOR SCI 123 Funeral Directing & Cremation 3
MOR SCI 124 Anatomy for Embalmers 3
 Hours12
Semester 5
MOR SCI 217 Business Communication 3
MOR SCI 218 Mortuary And Business Law 3
MOR SCI 219 Restorative Art Laboratory 3
MOR SCI 220 Embalming Theory II 3
 Hours12
Semester 6
MOR SCI 221 Funeral Management with Accounting 3
MOR SCI 222 Embalming Laboratory 2
MOR SCI 223 Funeral Merchandising 3
MOR SCI 224 Advanced Mortuary Practice Capstone 4
 Hours12
 Total Hours65
1

Program Prerequisite

2

General Education Requirement

3

BIOLOGY 226 & BIOLOGY 227 can substitute for this.

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Program Admission Requirements

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Official high school transcripts or General Education Certificate (GED) showing date of graduation or completion date (as applicable) for first-time college enrollment.
  • Completion of 17 hours of prerequisites:
ENGLISH 101Composition (or higher gen ed English course) 13
SPEECH 101Fundamentals of Speech Communication3
MATH 118General Education Math (or higher gen ed math course) 14
BIOLOGY 120Terminology For Medical Careers3
BIOLOGY 116Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology4
or BIOLOGY 226
BIOLOGY 227
Human Structure and Function I
and Human Structure and Function II
Total Hours17
1

"or higher" added to requirement effective Spring 2024

  • Grade C or better in all prerequisite courses.
  • Submission of completed application to the Mortuary Science Program
  • Transfer status is not a guaranteed acceptance. Malcolm X College admissions performs transcript evaluations at the request of the student. Transcript evaluation forms are available at the Office of Admissions and Student Records on campus.
  • Official college transcripts from all institutions attended.
  • Grade Point Average must be at least “C” (GPA 2.75)  
  • BIOLOGY 116 Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology (or BIOLOGY 226 Human Structure and Function I and BIOLOGY 227 Human Structure and Function II) general education courses for transferability must have been completed within five years of admission. If more than five years, these courses must be audited or successfully tested out through program assessment. All courses strictly in Mortuary Science must be taken in the program. Transfer students must submit a full application packet and meet with Program Director.
  • Completion of all prerequisite electives and general education courses 

For more information on the application process for the Mortuary Science program, visit the program webpage.

Careers

This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.

Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers

Job Description

Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$30,877
Median 50th Percentile$61,261
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$142,737

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$15
Median 50th Percentile$29
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$69

Annual Job Openings

56 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less1.58%
A certificate13.04%
Some college5.62%
An Associate degree72.59%
A Bachelor's degree5.24%
A Master's or Professional degree1.93%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

7.17% continue their education beyond an associate degree

Funeral Home Managers

Job Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes. Includes activities such as determining prices for services or merchandise and managing the facilities of funeral homes.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$35,076
Median 50th Percentile$57,831
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$122,286

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$17
Median 50th Percentile$28
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$59

Annual Job Openings

13 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less7.99%
A certificate0.00%
Some college0.00%
An Associate degree57.28%
A Bachelor's degree21.98%
A Master's or Professional degree12.75%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

34.73% continue their education beyond an associate degree

Funeral Attendants

Job Description

Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or lights around casket, directing or escorting mourners, closing casket, and issuing and storing funeral equipment.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$30,782
Median 50th Percentile$37,368
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$48,655

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$15
Median 50th Percentile$18
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$23

Annual Job Openings

77 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less65.03%
A certificate0.47%
Some college7.15%
An Associate degree27.21%
A Bachelor's degree0.13%
A Master's or Professional degree0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

0.13% continue their education beyond an associate degree

Embalmers

Job Description

Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$40,886
Median 50th Percentile$55,330
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$96,747

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$20
Median 50th Percentile$27
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$47

Annual Job Openings

2 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less0.00%
A certificate0.00%
Some college0.00%
An Associate degree86.37%
A Bachelor's degree13.63%
A Master's or Professional degree0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

13.63% continue their education beyond an associate degree