Mortuary Science Program Application Information

A. Minimum Standards to Apply 

• Apply to Cypress College to obtain a Cypress College student ID#. The email address used on the Cypress College application will be used within your Health Science Application and for all email interactions between the college faculty and staff, clinical sites, and any other program related email interactions. 
• Official high school transcript, Official GED test with an average score of 450 on the five-test battery transcript, or Official high school proficiency examination transcript.  
• Evidence of good physical and mental health.  
• English 100C or ENGL 101C or ESL 110C College Writing with a letter grade of “C” or better, or in progress.  
• BIOL 210C Anatomy & Physiology (with lab) or BIOL 231C Anatomy (with lab) with a letter grade of “C” or better within the last 5 years, or in progress.  
• MATH 040C Intermediate Algebra or higher with a letter “C” grade or better, or in progress.  
• A minimum GPA of 2.0 in all college courses attempted.
  

B. Program Prerequisites and Requirements 

The following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or better or be in progress at the time of application. In-progress course(s), at the time of application, must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or better. 

• ENGL 100C* – College Writing – 4.0 units 
• BIOL 210C – Anatomy & Physiology Combo Course – 4.0 units 
• OR BIOL 231C – Anatomy Course – 4.0 units 
• MATH 040C (or a math the meets GE) – Intermediate Algebra – 3.0 units
  

*Completion of ENGL 100C or ENGL 101C or ESL 110C or a comparable course with a “C” or better; or provide transcript showing courses in progress. 

General Education and Graduation Requirements  

The following General Education/Graduation areas are required for the Associate Degree. For options refer to the Associate Degree requirements in the catalog. All general education courses must be completed with a “C” or better. Please refer to the Cypress College Catalog for current Native General Education requirements. 

• Language and Rationality 
• Written Communication (4 units) 
• Analytical Thinking (minimum 3 units) 
• Arts and Humanities 
• Arts (minimum 3 units) 
• Humanities (minimum 3 units) 
• Social Science (minimum 6 units) 
• Physical Activity/Health (1-3 units) 
• Graduation Requirement: 
• Social Justice, Equity and Sustainability (formerly known as Cultural Diversity) 
• Reading Proficiency 

C. Application Procedures 

• Before the application opens online, review and follow the instructions on the Checklist and Sample Application on the Mortuary Science home page. 
• Apply to Cypress College to obtain a Cypress College student ID#.  
• Once a Cypress College Student ID# has been received, submit required official transcripts from other colleges to Cypress College Admissions and Records. Admission and Records will not accept transcripts opened prior to submission, PDF documents sent from a student, unofficial transcripts, or a Cypress College transcript. 

• Digitally (directly from school to school) – send to incomingtranscripts@cypresscollege.edu 

Attn: Transcripts. You can choose Cypress College if that is an option when ordering. 

• Through mail (unofficial if opened) – 

Cypress College
Admissions and Records – Transcripts
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA  90630 

• Application must be completed online during the month of February-March for fall enrollment and September-October for spring enrollment. Application deadlines may be extended depending on space availability. Application deadline. 
• Notification letters are emailed out no later than May 1 for fall consideration and December 1 for spring consideration. 
• Log into the online Health Science Application using myGateway credentials. Submit needed documents following the instructions within the online Health Science application. 
• Determination of acceptance is based upon the selection criteria. (SEE SPECIFICS BELOW)
  

D. Candidate Selection Criteria 

• Students will be selected using a point system based on the number of General Education/Graduation courses completed at the time of application. Priority will be given to the students who have completed the prerequisites. 
• Selection of students for acceptance is based on the point system then the date of completed application, which includes submission of all transcripts and required documents. 
• A total of 25 new students are selected for each cohort.  
• Applicants may exceed the available seat space.  
• Acceptance is based on a confirmation response by the deadline stated in the notification letter from the applicant selected and followed by mandatory attendance at an orientation. 
• F-1 visa students will not be accepted for admission into any program when applications by qualified U.S. citizens exceed space available (AP 5012 1.4.). 
  

E. Mortuary Science Program Requirements 

The Mortuary Science Program courses that make up the Associate in Science Mortuary Science (ASMS) program are listed below: 

Semester I 

MORT 201C† – Funeral Directing – 5.0 units 

MORT 202C – Funeral Service Administration I – 4.0 units 

MORT 203C – Methods of Disposition – 4.0 units 

Semester I Units – 13.0 

Semester II 

MORT 204C – Funeral Service Administration II – 4.0 units 

MORT 214C – Funeral Service Sciences – 5.0 units 

MORT 234C – Funeral Service Ethics and Laws I – 4.0 units 

Semester II Units – 13.0

Intersession After Semester II 

MORT 248C† – Funeral Service Thanatology – 6.0 units 

Intersession Units – 6.0 

Semester III 

MORT 215C – Embalming – 5.0 units 

MORT 236C – Funeral Service Ethics and Laws II – 4.0 units 

Semester III Units – 9.0 

Semester IV 

MORT 216C – Restorative Art – 5.0 

MORT 288C* – Funeral Service Capstone – 4.0 units 

Semester III Units – 9.0 

General Education Categories A through E including Social Justice, Equity and Sustainability (formerly known as Cultural Diversity) & Reading Proficiency. See listing in college catalog. – 25.0 units 

TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION – 75.0 

† Requires funeral home clinical site. 

* MORT 288C must be taken in the last semester prior to graduation.  

Associate of Science Degree 

Upon successful completion of the Mortuary Science major coursework, the general education requirements, and the National Board Examination, the student will be eligible for an Associate in Science Degree in Mortuary Science. Graduation from the ASMS Degree Program will enable students to write the California Embalmer’s Examination and the California Funeral Director’s Examination. 

Please see the Program Director for questions regarding licensure in states other than California. 

Health Science Counselors 

Division of Health Science
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA  90630-5897
(714) 484-7015 

Health Science Applications Office 

Health Science Building/TE3-217 
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St. 
Cypress, CA 90630-5897
healthscience@cpresscollege.edu 

Expenses 

TEXTBOOKS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT AND EXAMINATIONS: Textbook, supplies and laboratory equipment for individual use are required in the program and vary from year to year. The National Board Examination fee may be obtained from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Inc. or by visiting their website (www.theconferenceonline.org). The California Department of Consumer Affairs Cemetery and Funeral Bureau regulates the California Embalmer’s and Funeral Director’s examinations. The fee for those exams may be obtained from the Bureau’s website (www.cfb.ca.gov). 

NON-RESIDENT TUITION: Students who have been determined to be non-residents of California shall be required to pay a non-resident tuition fee per semester unit plus the regular student enrollment fee. These fees vary from year to year so any out-of-state person interested in attending Cypress College should call the Office of Admission and Records for a quote of the current fees. 

ENROLLMENT FEES: While all efforts have been made to present complete and accurate fee information, uncertainties in state funding may result in fee changes. See the Cypress College Schedule of Classes or the official school website (www.cypresscollege.edu) for current information. 

HEALTH FEE: Pursuant to the Education Code of California and District policy, Cypress College has a mandatory health fee. The health fee is currently a nominal fee for each student regardless of the number of units the student might be taking. See catalog for exemptions. 

CAMPUS ID CARD: There is a non-refundable service fee for campus ID Card. This fee is payable at time of registration. 

PARKING: Only those students who wish to use campus parking are required to pay the optional parking fee. 

Note: If you have been convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation you will be required to declare this on your state application to write the licensing exams. It may affect your eligibility to write these exams. 

The North Orange County Community College District, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State Laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. The district is also committed to maintaining campuses that are free of harassment, drugs, and alcohol.