Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Services Director

Associate of Applied Science
Brightpoint Community College

This two-year degree prepares students for jobs as funeral directors. 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:

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


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
Click here for details
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
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Services Director
60
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Services - Funeral Director Specialization
60
Course Grad for 155-02
60
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
Required Courses 155-02
60
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 45 credits may be applied to this program.
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SCI/MTH Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
PSY 116
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ITE 152
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
SOC 200
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
FNS 110
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BUS 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
REL 230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ACC 211
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PHI 220
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
FNS 126
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
BUS 241
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
FNS 231
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
FNS 295
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
FNS 236
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
FNS 232
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
FNS 298
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
FNS 270
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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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
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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
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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 CollegeAssociate of Applied Science -Funeral Service with a Major in Funeral DirectingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Funeral Service with a Major in Funeral DirectingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
39-4011.00EmbalmersPrepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.Personal Care and Service Occupations
11-9171.00Funeral Home ManagersPlan, 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
39-4031.00Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral ArrangersPerform 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
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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 60 credits remaining to be completed

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 Director 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.