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Funeral Service Education A.S. Degree

Full Time

This program roadmap represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. This roadmap is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Catalog:
2024-25
GE Pattern:
local AA/AS
Total Units:
77.5
Start Term:
Spring

Prior to Enrolling in the Program

Prerequisite Courses

6 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
BIOL 102 1
Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology
4
IV
Req
FSE 300
Introduction to Funeral Service
2

1 or BIOL 103

This program has eligibility requirements and a selection process. Detailed information about the program and pre-enrollment applications may be found in the college catalog and on the college website.

First Year

Semester 1 (Spring)

18 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
CHEM 130
Chemistry for Funeral Service
4
Req
FSE 310
Funeral Directing I
3
Req
FSE 320
Funeral Service Law and Ethics
3
Req
FSE 335
Funeral Service Management
3
Req
MATH 120 2
Intermediate Algebra
5
MC

2 or MATH 110

Semester 2 (Summer)

2 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
FSE 340
Pathology for Funeral Service
2

Semester 3 (Fall)

16 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
ANTH 310 3
Cultural Anthropology
3
Vb
Req
BIOL 130
Microbiology for Funeral Service
3
Req
ENGWR 300 / 480 H
College Composition
3
IIa
WC
Req
FITNS 310 4
Aquatic Fitness I
1
IIIa
Req
FSE 312
Funeral Directing II
3
Req
FSE 330
Merchandising in the Funeral Service Industry
3

3 or any 3-unit course from ARC GE Area Vb (Social Science/Social & Behavioral Sciences)

4 or any 1-unit course from ARC GE Area IIIa (Physical Activity Course)

Second Year

Semester 4 (Spring)

16.5 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
ACCT 101
Fundamentals of College Accounting
3
Req
BUS 340
Business Law
3
Req
FSE 350
Restorative Art
3.5
Req
FSE 360
Embalming I
4
Req
RLST 301 5
Introduction to World Religions
3
I, VI

5 or any 3-unit course from ARC GE Area I (Humanities) and Area VI (Ethnic/Multicultural Studies)

Semester 5 (Summer)

3 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
HIST 311 6
History of the United States (1865 - Present)
3
Va

6 or any 3-unit course from ARC GE Area Va (American Institutions) 

Semester 6 (Fall)

16 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
FSE 297
Internship in Funeral Service Education
5
Req
FSE 365
Embalming II
2
Req
FSE 370
Funeral Service Counseling
3
Req
PSYC 390
Psychology of Death and Dying
3
IIIb
Req
COMM 301 7
Introduction to Public Speaking
3
IIb

7 or SPEECH 331

H honors courses

Explanation of Categories
Req Required Core A course that is required for this program

Graduation Requirement

A course that fulfills a specific graduation requirement which can be replaced by another course that meets the same graduation requirement.

MC = Math Competency
WC = Writing Competency
2 Years

Career path

Career Options:

This degree prepares students to take the National and State Board examination to become a licensed funeral director in California. It also prepares students to take the National and State embalmer’s examination.

Other Notes:

  • Students must have a high school diploma, GED, CHSPE or higher to enter the program. Information about the program and pre-enrollment applications may be obtained at https://arc.losrios.edu/academics/programs-and-majors/funeral-service-education.
  • The Funeral Service Education program currently accepts students once per year for the spring semester, which begins in January. The deadline to submit an application is the second Friday in November.
  • Only students who meet the pre-enrollment requirements and follow the pre-enrollment process will be considered for the program.
  • The Funeral Service Education associate degree program at American River 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.

Published April 13, 2024

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