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).

Accreditation Agency Information:

ABFSE
992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108
Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
(816) 233-3747
Email: exdir@abfse.org

ABFSE.org

For additional accreditation specific information related to the aims and objectives of the program, please see the following link: www.ccc.edu/colleges/malcolm-x/departments/Pages/Mortuary-Science.aspx

This selective admissions program requires students to submit a separate application or to take additional action before enrolling.

Program Requirements

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 aims and objectives 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.

Upon acceptance into the Mortuary Science program, students must follow the prescribed schedule of Mortuary Science courses.

¹

Program Prerequisite

²

General Education Requirement

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 18 hours for Fall/August day enrollment or completion of 34 semester credit hours Spring/May evening enrollment.
  • Fall/August day enrollment:

    Course List

    Code	Title	Hours
    BIOLOGY 120	Terminology For Medical Careers	3
    or HEAPRO 102	Health Career Studies
    BIOLOGY 121	Biology I	5
    ENGLISH 101	Composition	3
    SPEECH 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
    MATH 118	General Education Math	4
    Total Hours		18

  • Spring/May evening enrollment:

    Course List

    Code	Title	Hours
    BIOLOGY 120	Terminology For Medical Careers	3
    or HEAPRO 102	Health Career Studies
    BIOLOGY 121	Biology I	5
    ENGLISH 101	Composition	3
    SPEECH 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
    MATH 118	General Education Math	4
    BIOLOGY 226	Human Structure and Function I	4
    BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function II	4
    BIOLOGY 130	Human Cadaver Anatomy I	1
    BIOLOGY 131	Human Cadaver Anatomy II	1
    ENTRE 201	Introduction to Entrepreneurship	3
    CIS 120	Introduction to Computer Applications	3
    Total Hours		34

• Grade C or better in all prerequisite courses.
• Submission of completed application to the Mortuary Science Program.
• Submission of an essay.
• Interview with Program Director and Advisory Council Members
• Electronic notification of acceptance by program: May
• 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 2.5) for Fall day enrollment
• 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 specified in day or evening curriculum.
• Submission of three letters of recommendation.
• Application deadline: April 7 of every year
• Electronic applicant response to acceptance offer: May
• Vaccinations are required
• Conviction of a felony: contact the IDFPR (217) 782-8556 to inquire if license would be awarded by state to practice in this profession.

Acceptance Policy

• Candidates offered admission may not defer admission to a subsequent year. Applicants who decline admission must reapply.
• The Mortuary Science Program at Malcolm X College is accredited by:
  
  The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
  992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108
  Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
  (816) 233-3747
  Email: exdir@abfse.org
  www.abfse.org
  Executive Director: Robert Smith.
• The Mortuary Science Program information and application is available on the web: www.ccc.edu/colleges/malcolm-x/programs/Pages/Mortuary-Science---Admissions.aspx.
• The annual passage rate of first-time takers on the National Board Examination for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the American Board of Funeral Service Education web site www.abfse.org

To graduate with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science and be eligible to apply to the IDFPR, the student must:

• Complete the required prerequisite courses.
• Register and complete the Arts and Sciences National Board Exam (NBE) within 45 days of the City Colleges of Chicago graduation date.
• Complete the 62 credit hours of the Mortuary Science curriculum.
• Earn at least a 2.5 grade point average, a “C” or higher in Mortuary Science courses.
• Pass the Comprehensive Exit Examinations in order to be eligible to register for NBE
• Meet all graduation requirements of the City Colleges of Chicago and Mortuary Science program.

Application Deadline is April 7 of every year. New students are accepted into the Mortuary Science program during the spring of each year, with the program starting during the spring term in May and during the fall term in August. Mortuary Science core courses are offered

• Monday through Thursday during the fall enrollment in the day from 8:00–10:50 am;
• during the spring enrollment in the evening from 6:00–8:50 pm; and
• during the summer enrollment in the evening from 4:00–9:50 pm.

Upon acceptance into the Mortuary Science program, students must provide documentation of current health insurance, immunizations and recent medical examination. The student must exemplify professionalism, good communication and language skills and an overall comprehension of public health and sanitation. Some of the required courses have their own prerequisite course. Please see each course descriptions in the college catalog.

Program Learning Outcomes

The mission of an ABFSE-accredited program must be to educate students in every phase of funeral service so that program graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in funeral service. In support of this mission, a program must adopt at least the following Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of an accredited program, 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.

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 Directors

Funeral Service Managers

Funeral Attendants

Embalmers