Program Details

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Services

Associate of Applied Science

Brightpoint Community College

This two-year degree prepares students for jobs in funeral services. Students who complete this degree are eligible to take the national board exam which is required to become a licensed funeral director. This degree is offered at the Chester Campus.

Outcomes

By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an intermediate level of competency in the following skills:

Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships/tips with the families and communities they serve.
Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.
Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains.
Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.
Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.
Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains.
Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.
Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.
Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Program Requirement Notes	Program Requirement Notes New students must contact the Advising Center (https://www.brightpoint.edu/services/advising/) to obtain provisional placement into the Funeral Services Program. Information on the criteria for full admission to the Funeral Services Program can be found at: https://www.brightpoint.edu/majors/funeral-services-aas. This degree is offered primarily through video with monthly visits to the Chester Campus. Students who do not work in an funeral home will be required to come to the Chester Campus for the embalming lab.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Brightpoint Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights

Program Credit Requirements

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning	Brightpoint accepts multiple forms of credit for prior learning, including scores on standardized tests such as AP/IB/CLEP/DANTES as well as courses and training completed in the military, criminal justice academies, technology certification programs, and health services certification programs. See https://www.brightpoint.edu/paying-for-brightpoint/pay-tuition/military-veterans-educational-benefits/credit-for-prior-experience/
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Brightpoint Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

Visit our transfer site for more information

External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

3835

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	At Brightpoint, our vision is "A success story for every student." With our small classes, our large number of courses and in-demand programs (including many online!), partnerships with area employers, and our award-winning faculty, Brightpoint Community College can help you begin your journey to a Bachelor's degree, a job, or both!
Transfer Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance.
First Year Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	Not required.

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science -Funeral Service with a Major in Funeral Directing	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Funeral Service with a Major in Funeral Directing	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
39-4011.00	Embalmers	Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.	Personal Care and Service Occupations
11-9171.00	Funeral Home Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes. Includes activities such as determining prices for services or merchandise and managing the facilities of funeral homes.	Management Occupations
39-4031.00	Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers	Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.	Personal Care and Service Occupations

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 64 credits remaining to be completed

Residence State

Delivery Mode

Service Member?

Service Status *

Branch

GI Bill (for Spouses/Dependants)

Disability Discharge

Residence City

Hours to Complete Degree *

Minimum Term of Active Duty

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Services at Brightpoint Community College These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$0	Per Credit	$0	$0	$0
Fees
Mandatory Fees	$0	Per Credit	$0	0	$0	Mandatory fees are Auxiliary fee ($4 per credit hour) and Student Activities ($1 per credit hour)

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.