Program Code: 155
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Funeral Service provides an extensive program designed to prepare students for careers in the field of mortuary science. A diversified curriculum addresses the changing needs and demands of contemporary funeral directing, embalming, and business management.
Entrance requirements for this program include: graduation from high school or completion of the GED and submission of high school transcript or GED certificate; placement or readiness for ENG 111 ; and successful completion (grades of C or better) of prerequisite courses (ACC 211 , CHM 110 , and FNS 121 ). Applicants must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students transferring from other American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredited programs must be eligible for re-enrollment in their previous program, and have an overall GPA of 2.0. Once prerequisite courses have been successfully completed, a Funeral Service Program Application must be completed. Students are also expected to have begun or declined in writing the Hepatitis-B series of shots upon entering FNS 111 and FNS 112 .
Transcripts from other colleges attended must be sent to Tidewater Community College, Office of the College Registrar, P.O. Box 9000, Norfolk, Virginia, 23509. These transcripts must be evaluated before any transfer credit is granted prior to the application deadline. Credit will not be granted for courses taken five years or more prior to the date of enrollment. Credit will only be granted for FNS courses taken at institutions accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education www.abfse.org.
Following acceptance into the program, students must maintain a C or better in all FNS courses and in SOC 201 and PSY 116 . Students will be required to have completed twenty-four credit hours in order to enroll in FNS 111 , FNS 112 , FNS 113 , FNS 114 , FNS 211 , FNS 212 , FNS 231 , and FNS 232 . In order to take the second part of sequenced courses, a grade of C or better must be earned in the initial course. Students who are unsuccessful in two or more FNS courses will be dismissed from the program. Individuals in the Funeral Service program are required to complete the National Board Examination (NBE) prior to graduation.
In order to receive a Funeral Service license in the Commonwealth of Virginia, an individual must: (1) complete an accredited program of mortuary science; (2) pass the National Board Examination; (3) complete a 3,000 hour internship; and (4) pass the State examination.
Completion of the National Board Examination (NBE) is a requirement for graduation from the TCC Funeral Service program. The cost of the exam is $570.
The Funeral Service degree program at Tidewater Community 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. National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs. To request a printed copy of this program’s pass rates and rates, contact the Program office by e-mail at jwalton@tcc.edu, or by telephone at (757) 822-7074, or in person by visiting Tidewater Community College’s, Virginia Beach Campus, Virginia Beach, VA, Building - G, Room G-138.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- 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 the 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.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to: explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families 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 the 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; and demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.
The Tidewater Community College Funeral Service Program is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in the death care industry. This includes preparation for the National Board Funeral Service Exam (NBE) administered by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (https://theconferenceonline.org/). Passage of the NBE is required by the Commonwealth of Virginia for licensure as a funeral service provider. If you live or move outside of Virginia, you must consult the licensing board in that state to confirm whether this program meets your states requirements prior to enrolling. More information on accredited mortuary programs and the NBE can be found at the American Board of Funeral Service Education’s website www.abfse.org.
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