Mortuary Science
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Mortuary Science program includes studies in public health; business management; natural sciences; legal, ethical and regulatory concerns; and clinical requirements associated with the mortuary field. The curriculum combines coursework in mortuary science with a general education component. The Mortuary Science associate degree is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097, 816-233-3747, www.abfse.org. Completion of the courses in the program prepares the student to sit for the National Board examination and begin state internship requirements.
This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).
Details
Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Mortuary Science (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3765
Total credits required
70-83
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Admissions criteria
Formal application and admission to the program is required. Prior to applying to the program, students must have proof of high school graduation or GED and must complete the following required coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.75 prior to entry into the Mortuary Science (MSP) cohort coursework: [(ACC107 or ACC111), BIO160 or (BIO201 and BIO202), (BPC+++++ or CIS+++++) (BPC110 or CIS105 recommended), (COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230), (CRE101 or equivalent), (ENG101 or ENG107), (ENG102 or ENG108), (GBS205 or GBS206 or GBS207 or PHI214), (GBS151 or MGT175 or MGT251 or MGT253), (PSY101 or PHY132 or PSY156), Mathematics (any approved), and Humanities (REL100 recommended)] or have permission of Program Director.
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You'll Learn
- Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve. (GBS205, GBS206, GBS207, GBS151, MGT175, MGT251, MGT253, MSP101, MSP201, MSP205, MSP206, MSP208, MSP210, MSP211, PHI214, PSY101, PSY132, PSY156, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU])
- Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice. (ACC107, ACC111, ACC211, ACC212, BPC+++++, CIS+++++, GBS205, GBS206, GBS207, GBS151, MGT175, MGT251, MGT253, MSP101, MSP105, MSP202, MSP202LL, MSP205, MSP206, MSP207, MSP208, MSP210, MSP211, PHI214, PSY101, PSY132, PSY156, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU])
- Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance. (ACC107, ACC111, ACC211, ACC212, BPC+++++, CIS+++++, GBS205, GBS206, GBS207, PHI214, GBS151, MGT175, MGT251, MGT253, MSP101, MSP105, MSP202, MSP202LL, MSP205, MSP206, MSP207, MSP207LL, MSP208, MSP210, MSP211, PSY101, PSY132, PSY156, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU])
- Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains. (BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, MSP101, MSP105, MSP201, MSP202, MSP202LL, MSP203, MSP204, MSP205, MSP206, MSP207, MSP207LL, MSP208, MSP209, MSP211)
- Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains. (BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, MSP202, MSP202LL, MSP203, MSP204, MSP205, MSP206, MSP207, MSP207LL, MSP208, MSP209, MSP211)
- Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies. (ACC107, ACC111, ACC211, ACC212, BPC+++++, CIS+++++, GBS205, GBS206, GBS207, PHI214, GBS151, MGT175, MGT251, MGT253, MSP101, MSP105, MSP201, MSP202, MSP202LL, MSP205, MSP206, MSP207, MSP207LL, MSP208, MSP210, MSP211, PSY101, PSY132, PSY156, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], MA)
- Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains. (ACC107, ACC111, ACC211, ACC212, BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, GBS205, GBS206, GBS207, PHI214, GBS151, MGT175, MGT251, MGT253, MSP101, MSP105, MSP201, MSP202, MSP202LL, MSP205, MSP206, MSP207, MSP207LL, MSP208, MSP210, MSP211, PSY101, PSY132, PSY156, (COM), [FYC], [HU])
- Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved. (MSP201, MSP205, MSP206, MSP208, MSP210, MSP211, PSY101, PSY132, PSY156, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU])
- Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment. (ACC107, ACC111, ACC211, ACC212, BPC+++++, CIS+++++, GBS205, GBS206, GBS207, PHI214, GBS151, MGT175, MGT251, MGT253, MSP105, MSP202, MSP202LL, MSP205, MSP206, MSP207, MSP207LL, MSP208, MSP209, MSP210, MSP211, PSY101, PSY132, PSY156, (COM), (CRE), [FYC])
- Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice. (ACC107, ACC111, ACC211, ACC212, BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, BPC+++++, CIS+++++, GBS205, GBS206, GBS207, PHI214, GBS151, MGT175, MGT251, MGT253, MSP101, MSP105, MSP201, MSP202, MSP202LL, MSP203, MSP204, MSP205, MSP206, MSP207, MSP207LL, MSP208, MSP209, MSP210, MSP211, PSY101, PSY156, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], MA)
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 55-62 | |
| ACC107 | Bookkeeping Theory and Practice (4) OR | |
| ACC111 | Accounting Principles I (3) OR | |
| ACC211 | Financial Accounting (3) OR | |
| ACC212 | Managerial Accounting (3) | 3-4 |
| BIO160 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology (4) OR | |
| BIO201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4) AND | |
| BIO202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4) | 4-8 |
| BPC+++++ | Any BPC Business-Personal Computers course (1-3) OR | |
| CIS+++++ | Any CIS Computer Information Systems course (1-3) | 1-3 |
| BPC110 | or CIS105 recommended. | |
| GBS205 | Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Business (3) OR | |
| GBS206 | Business Law (UCC) (3) OR | |
| GBS207 | Business Law (General Corporate) (3) OR | |
| PHI214 | Business Ethics (3) | 3 |
| GBS151 | Introduction to Business (3) OR | |
| MGT175 | Business Organization and Management (3) OR | |
| MGT251 | Human Relations in Business (3) OR | |
| MGT253 | Owning and Operating a Small Business (3) | 3 |
| MSP101 | Mortuary Science: Orientation and History | 3 |
| MSP105 | Cremation for Mortuary Science | 1 |
| MSP201 | Mortuary Science, Sociology, and Religion | 3 |
| MSP202 | Embalming | 3 |
| MSP202LL | Embalming Lab | 1 |
| MSP203 | Microbiology for Mortuary Science | 3 |
| MSP204 | Chemistry for Mortuary Science | 3 |
| MSP205 | Funeral Directing I | 3 |
| MSP206 | Funeral Directing II | 3 |
| MSP207 | Mortuary Science Restorative Art | 3 |
| MSP207LL | Mortuary Science Restorative Art Lab | 1 |
| MSP208 | Funeral Service Law: Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Considerations | 3 |
| MSP209 | Pathology for Mortuary Science | 3 |
| MSP210 | Psychology and Counseling for Mortuary Science | 2 |
| MSP211 | Compendium for Mortuary Science | 3 |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology (3) OR | |
| PSY132 | Psychology and Culture (3) OR | |
| PSY156 | Understanding Death and Dying (3) | 3 |
| Note that students who desire to transfer should choose PSY101. | ||
| General Education Requirement | Credits: 15-21 | |
| General Education Core | Credits: 12-18 | |
| First-Year Composition | Credits: 6 | |
| ENG101 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG107 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) | |
| AND | ||
| ENG102 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG108 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) OR | |
| ENG111 | Technical and Professional Writing (3) | 6 |
| Oral Communication | Credits: 3 | |
| COM100 | Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR | |
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication (3) OR | |
| COM225 | Public Speaking (3) OR | |
| COM230 | Small Group Communication (3) | 3 |
| Critical Reading | Credits: 0-3 | |
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR | |
| Equivalent as indicated by assessment (0) | 0-3 | |
| Mathematics | Credits: 3-6 | |
| Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area. | 3-6 | |
| Note that students who desire to transfer should choose from the MAT14+ or MAT15+ options. | ||
| General Education Distribution | Credits: 3 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | Credits: 3 | |
| Any approved general education course in the Humanities, Arts and Design area. | 3 | |
| REL100 | recommended. | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | Credits: 0 | |
| Met by PSY101, OR PSY132, OR PSY156 in Required Courses. | ||
| Natural Sciences | Credits: 0 | |
| Met by BIO160, OR + BIO201 AND + BIO202 in Required Courses. | ||
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
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