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).

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.

National Board Examination scores, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org

The Mortuary Science associate degree 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. Web: www.abfse.org.

For additional accreditation specific information related to the program learning outcomes of the Mortuary Science 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

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Coursework (Program Prerequisites) 1
ENGLISH 101	Composition (or higher General Education English)	3
SPEECH 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
MATH 118	General Education Math (or higher General Education Math course)	4
BIOLOGY 120	Terminology For Medical Careers	3
BIOLOGY 116	Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology	4
or BIOLOGY 226 & BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function I and Human Structure and Function II
Required Program Core
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
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
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
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
Total Hours		65

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 1		Hours
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
	Hours	11
Semester 2
Prerequisites and General Education
SPEECH 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication 1,2	3
BIOLOGY 120	Terminology For Medical Careers 1,2	3
	Hours	6
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
	Hours	12
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
	Hours	12
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
	Hours	12
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
	Hours	12
	Total Hours	65

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:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
ENGLISH 101	Composition (or higher gen ed English course) 1	3
SPEECH 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
MATH 118	General Education Math (or higher gen ed math course) 1	4
BIOLOGY 120	Terminology For Medical Careers	3
BIOLOGY 116	Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology	4
or BIOLOGY 226 & BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function I and Human Structure and Function II
Total Hours		17

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.

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• View Hourly Wages

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 less	1.58%
A certificate	13.04%
Some college	5.62%
An Associate degree	72.59%
A Bachelor's degree	5.24%
A Master's or Professional degree	1.93%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

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.

• View Annual Wages
• View Hourly Wages

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 less	7.99%
A certificate	0.00%
Some college	0.00%
An Associate degree	57.28%
A Bachelor's degree	21.98%
A Master's or Professional degree	12.75%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

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.

• View Annual Wages
• View Hourly Wages

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 less	65.03%
A certificate	0.47%
Some college	7.15%
An Associate degree	27.21%
A Bachelor's degree	0.13%
A Master's or Professional degree	0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

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.

• View Annual Wages
• View Hourly Wages

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 less	0.00%
A certificate	0.00%
Some college	0.00%
An Associate degree	86.37%
A Bachelor's degree	13.63%
A Master's or Professional degree	0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

13.63% continue their education beyond an associate degree