Mortuary
Science Major
What is Mortuary science?
Mortuary science is the academic
path to becoming a funeral director. They serve other
people during a most stressful time of loss, pain, and
grief. This major combines the study of behavioral, physical,
and applied sciences with the intent of preparing graduates
for careers as knowledgeable, skilled, and innovative
funeral service professionals. Program graduates are able
to serve the bereaved in a manner that is competent, dignified,
and caring manner. Graduates offer support to the bereaved,
prepare a decedent’s body for final disposition
according to the survivors’ wishes, manage and secure
legal documentation, manage all mortuary business operations,
counsel survivors about the options available to them
and assist survivors adapt to changes in their lives subsequent
to a death, by providing counseling and support.
Mortuary science studies can be
taken at many types of institutions. They are offered
at many colleges and universities, as well as at trade
schools and two-year colleges. In many cases a student
completes the equivalent of one year’s professional
training at an accredited college of mortuary science
that has an agreement of articulation with a local university.
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What Kinds of Students
Major in Mortuary Science?
Clearly, the nature of this profession
is of interest only to people who believe that they have
the nature and temperament to work in funeral business.
The course of study, however, involves a variety of tasks.
Rather than simply being a technicians task, the professional
funeral home director or manager has to be able to work
well with people going through crises in their lives.
It requires a natural and skilled personal manner of consoling
and counseling these people. Accordingly, students in
the program are expected to take a variety of courses
in English, biology, accounting, psychology, chemistry,
sociology, and speech.
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What Courses Do Mortuary
Science Majors Take?
The required and elective courses
you would take for majors vary considerably among institutions.
Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth
of topics you are likely to experience were you to major
in this field.
Role
Of The Funeral Professional |
The
Modern Mortuary |
Grief
Counseling |
Funeral
Service Management |
Funeral
Service Law |
Embalming-Anatomy |
Embalming
Procedures |
Funeral
Service Marketing and Merchandising |
Forensic
Pathology |
Death
and Dying Across Cultures |
Management
Internship |
Restorative
Art |
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What Types of Positions
do Mortuary Science Majors Take After College?
Funeral
Manager |
Funeral
Home Product Sales |
Grief
Counselor |
Funeral
Services |
Funeral
Service Marketing and Merchandising |
Forensic
Pathology |
Are you interested in detailed
information about the forecasted demand for a particular
profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries
such positions are likely to pay? This government Web
site allows you to search on a particular job, whether
listed here or not, to give you this information.
Bureau
of Labor Statistics
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Related Links
If you are interested in learning
more about what professionals in this field do and what
kinds of activities they engage in, check out some of
the following links. You might also want to check out
web sites for University or College departments offering
this major.
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University Departments
to Consider
The following institutions are
the featured institutions on MyMajors because they support
MyMajors and you in your search for the best major available.
They offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs
for you to consider.
For
information on options available to campuses wishing
to see their majors listed on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
Other fine institutions offering
this major offer excellent programs to consider.
For information
on options available to campuses wishing to see
their majors listed on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Two-Year College Curriculums
to Consider
Suggest
to your two-year college advisor that their institution's
majors be included to show you their course requirements
and unique resources. Two-year college representatives
should contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Want
More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared
by university academic advisement staffs.
More on Choosing Your College Major 
