Becoming a Funeral Director
or Embalmer

The Mortuary Science Department is the first college-based funeral service education program to be offered in Texas. The associate degree program at San Antonio College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) www.abfse.org, 3414 Ashland, Suite G, St. Joseph, Missouri 64506, (816) 233-3747. Membership is maintained in the University Mortuary Science Education Association. Students achieving the standards for the curriculum are conferred the Associate in Applied Science in Mortuary Science degree by the college and are eligible for examination by the Texas Funeral Service Commission and the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and provisional licensure registration.

The Mortuary Science Department at San Antonio College has as its central aim recognition of the importance of funeral service personnel as (1) members of a human services profession, (2) members of the community in which they serve, (3) participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession, (4) professionals knowledgeable of and compliant with federal, state, and local regulatory guidelines, as well as (5) professionals sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety and welfare in caring for human remains.

The Department's objectives are to:

1. Enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession.
2. Educate students in every phase of funeral service, and to help enable them to develop the proficiency and skills necessary of the profession.
3. Educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral service profession to the community at large.
4. Emphasize high standards of ethical conduct.
5. Provide a curriculum at the post secondary level of instruction.
6. Encourage research in the field of funeral service.

The Mortuary Science Department also offers a certificate in funeral directing. This academic program is designed to meet specific state or professional needs. It is not accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education owing to the fact that it does not include instruction in (Embalming, Restorative Art, Microbiology, Pathology, Chemistry, and Anatomy). Students graduating from this program are not eligible to take the National Board Examination or any state board examination for which graduation from an ABFSE accredited program is required. However, the certificate is recognized by the Texas Funeral Service Commission and successful examination in the Funeral Service Arts area of the National Board Exam is accepted for registration as a provisional funeral director licensee. After September 1, 2003, the Texas Funeral Service Commission will not recognize the Funeral Service Arts area of the National Board Exam but instead will recognize the Texas State Board of Funeral Directing.

Students enrolled in Mortuary Science courses which include external learning experiences are required to comply with the program dress code. A copy of this dress code will be provided when the interview for admission is conducted. Students are also required to purchase personal protective equipment for courses in which exposure to biohazards exists.

Courses must be taken according to a degree plan or as indicated by a faculty advisor.

Beginning in January 2004, each student will be required to take the National Board Exam as a requirement of graduation from the Mortuary Science Department.

Program Outcomes:

Pursue licensure pending completion of statutory requirements (educational, provisional licensing period, and passing score on Texas State Mortuary Law exam).

Obtain license as funeral director and/or embalmer, having completed all statutory requirements.

Funeral Director Certificate Program
33-Hour Certificate

This certificate option is designed for those individuals who desire to practice only funeral directing in the State of Texas. If a student so desires, he/she may return to earn the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science to be examined in the Funeral Service Science section of the National Board Exam.

For further information, please see individual program's enrollment and admission requirements.

Degrees/Certificates Offered:
Funeral Directing (Cert.)
Mortuary Science (AAS)

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM (Also see Flow Chart)

After satisfying the general admissions requirements for the college, prospective students should:

1.File the following with the program coordinator:

a. Mortuary Science Department application
b. Copy of official high school transcript
c. Copy of college transcripts if transfer credit is desired.
d. Letter of reference (on letterhead stationary) from a funeral director or other professional.

2. Schedule a conference with the program coordinator or faculty advisor prior to enrolling in any courses.

The annual passage rate of first-time takers on the National Board Examination (NBE) for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the ABFSE web site (www.abfse.org)