Build Your Future as a Mortuary Science Professional
The Mortuary Science Department at Cypress College prepares men and women for a career that cares for the dead and comforts the living. As a mortuary science student, you will prepare for employment as a funeral director and embalmer. The Cypress College Mortuary Science Program prepares the students to take the National Board Examination, California Embalmers Examination, and the California Funeral Directors Examination
The Mortuary Science Program objectives are as follows:
- To enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession;
- To educate students in every phase of funeral service, and to help them to develop proficiency and skills necessary for the profession, as defined in the Preamble at the beginning of Chapter 9 of the Manual on Accreditation;
- To educate students concerning the responsibilities of funeral service profession to the community at large;
- To emphasize high standards of ethical conduct;
- To provide a curriculum at the post-secondary level of instruction;
- To encourage student and faculty research in the field of funeral service;
- To qualify students for professional licensure examination.
Cypress College is one of 15 community colleges in California to pilot a baccalaureate degree program. The Funeral Service Bachelor of Science Degree began in fall 2017 for those students who have previously completed an ABFSE-accredited program of study.
Students who have completed the Associate in Science Degree in mortuary science and are interested in completing the baccalaureate degree, can begin working on the lower division general education courses required for bachelor’s degree offered by CSU and UC by completing CSU lower division general education breadth or IGETC certification.
The Mortuary Science Program at Cypress College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mortuary Science Department offers an Associate in Science degree in mortuary science and a Bachelor of Science degree in funeral service.
Depending on the program and the number of units taken, completing the associate in science degree program can take about two years after taking prerequisites and being admitted into the program. The program is designed to be completed in three semesters of major coursework once the general education subject matter areas are satisfied.
The mortuary science associate in science is $46 per unit for California residents, not including books, fees, and supplies. Units vary by course, but the average is three units per course. The unit cost for the associate degree will vary depending upon the number of prerequisites needed. For the bachelor’s degree, please contact the department coordinator. Most students also qualify for some form of financial aid.
Program graduates can pursue careers as morticians, undertakers and funeral directors. The annual salary is $51,850.
Students work in funeral homes.
- Associate in Science in Mortuary Science = 75 units (2 years after prerequisites and being admitted into the program)
- Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service
- Eligibility for admission to Cypress College
- Official High school transcript, GED test with an average score of 450 on the five-test battery, or high school proficiency examination
- Evidence of good physical and mental health
- Completion of ENGL 100C College Writing with a letter “C” grade or better
- Completion of BIOL 210C Anatomy and Physiology (with lab) or completion of BIOL 231C Anatomy (with lab) with a letter “C” grade or better and completed within the most recent 5 year time period.
- Completion of Math 040 Intermediate Algebra or higher with a letter “C” grade or better
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 in all college courses attempted
This is designed as a full-time program. Students are encouraged to enroll in at least 12 units each semester in order to complete the program in a timely fashion.
Students who qualify to apply for the Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service will have met the following prerequisites:
- Graduation from an ABFSE-accredited program of Funeral Service Education and ICFSEB NBE Certification
- CSU GE or IGETC Certification or a bachelor’s degree from a California State University
- Embalmer and Funeral Director License or Funeral Service Practitioner Certification, CFSP
Jolena Grande
Mortuary Science Office, Room 215
Technical Education III Building – Health Science Division
mortsci@CypressCollege.edu
(714) 484-7278
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Jolena Grande
Health Science Division
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Kelly Carter
Counselor
Average Salary in this Field
$38,130-$68,670 Per Year
Careers in this Field
Embalmer
Funeral Directors
