Funeral Service Education
Program Review Presentation
April 30th, 2014
American River College
Funeral Service Education
Program Description
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The Funeral Service Program is one of 57 accredited Funeral Service Education
programs in the nation. It is a two year associate of science degree that prepares
students for entry level positions in funeral service.
The program is committed to student success through the program and as
professionals in the field by providing appropriate knowledge and skillsets to
function as competent practitioners.
The program maintains strong connections with many niches of the funeral
industry including funeral directors, funeral homes, tissue recovery agencies,
vendors (caskets etc.), and state agencies and professional associations. The
department also maintains ties with the funeral industry on a national level
through involvement with the National Funeral Director’s Association and the
American Board of Funeral Service Education. These connections allow
development of curriculum, and collaboration between faculty, students, alumni,
and the funeral service community at large.
The program encourages students to strive for a four year degree by providing
courses that transfer to four year institutions and encourage academic research
throughout the program.
American River College
Funeral Service Education
Benchmarks
National Board Examination
# Test Takers
#Passed
%Passed
2010 Arts
29
26
90
2010 Sciences
29
27
93
2011 Arts
14
12
86
2011 Sciences
16
13
81
2012 Arts
24
21
88
2012 Sciences
22
21
95
2013 Arts
20
19
95
2013 Sciences
20
20
100
Arts: Funeral Directing I&II, Merchandising, Counseling, Cemetery/Crematory
Operations
Sciences: Embalming I&II, Restorative Art, Preparation for Disposition
American River College
Funeral Service Education
Program -- Strengths
• Community Input
– Advisory board
– Internship program
• Involvement with the American board of Funeral Service,
National, State and Local organizations
• Internship program
– Segue to professional world
• Networking
• Potential career placement
• Scheduling
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Block scheduling
Evening Classes
300 Level Courses
Enrollment
– Non-traditional students
– Expanded Region
American River College
Funeral Service Education
Program -- Challenges
• Growth (25% over the last six years).
– Space: Classroom/ laboratory facilities
– Faculty: Fulltime/ adjunct
• Internship program
– continuity of practical instruction.
– consistency of minimum competencies
– Additionally, an on campus laboratory space would offset the current cost of
embalming resources.
American River College
Funeral Service Education
Planning Implications
• The Funeral Service Program has grown by a rate of 25% over
the past six years
• Expansion of classroom space and laboratory space is needed
to accommodate program growth
• Additional faculty is recommended to accommodate program
growth.
American River College
Funeral Service Education