Funeral Service Education
Overview
The Funeral Service degree program prepares students for entry-level employment in the funeral service industry, provides a strong theory-based curriculum and related clinical experience reflective of the current industry standard, and maintains or exceeds the standards put forth by the accrediting board. ARC is one of only two community colleges in the state of California to offer a Funeral Service Education program.
Courses are designed to meet the prerequisite for licensure and employment in the funeral service industry as funeral directors and embalmers through courses in biology, chemistry, funeral service management, embalming, restorative art, funeral service fundamentals, counseling, accounting, and funeral service law and ethics. Coursework is conducted on the ARC campus, while the clinical component will be offered off-campus at local funeral industry sites.
The Funeral Service Education associate degree program at American River College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org.
The United States Department of Labor maintains an excellent website that includes information on the nature of the work, working conditions, employment, training, advancement, job outlook, earnings, related occupations, and sources of additional information. Department of Labor Information.
| Year | Total Enrolled |
New Students |
Grads | Timely Grad* |
Grad Rate† |
Didn't Finish‡ |
Overall Employed |
Employed in FS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 87 | 49 | 38 | 38/38 | 100% | 2 | 100% | 100% |
| 2024 | 90 | 44 | 29 | 29/29 | 100% | 0 | 100% | 100% |
| 2023 | 45 | 33 | 14 | 14/14 | 100% | 0 | 100% | 100% |
- *Timely graduation = completed program in 1.5 times designated program length.
- †Graduation rate reflects cohort graduation rate (percent of students from original cohort completing in the designated year).
- ‡Left before completing the program; did not finish.
| Year | Takers | School Pass Rate* | National Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59 | 61% | 78% |
| 2024 | 10 | 40% | 78% |
| 2023 | 21 | 76% | 78% |
*School pass rate is based on first time test takers within one year of graduation.
| Year | Takers | School Pass Rate* | National Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 58 | 47% | 70% |
| 2024 | 9 | 44% | 73% |
| 2023 | 22 | 64% | 69% |
*School pass rate is based on first time test takers within one year of graduation.
National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at: ABFSE Directory of Programs - California in the Directory of Accredited Programs.
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A.A./A.S. Degrees
- Dean Narinedat Madramootoo
- Department Chair Valarie Rose
- HomeBase Health and Education HomeBase
- Phone (916) 484-8902
- Email askhb-healthed@arc.losrios.edu
Associate Degree
A.S. in Funeral Service Education
This degree prepares students for entry-level positions in funeral service. It is designed to meet the prerequisites for licensure and employment in the field of funeral service as funeral directors or embalmers.
The central objective of an American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredited program must be to educate students in every phase of funeral service so that program graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in funeral service. In support of this objective, a program must adopt at least the following Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of an accredited program, students will be able to:
1.) Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships 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.
The Funeral Service Education associate degree program at American River College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org.
NOTE: All courses, including general education, require a grade of "C" or better, and the student must register to take the National Board Examination graduation.
The annual passage rate of first-time takers on the National Board Examination (NBE) for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the ABFSE website (https://www.abfse.org/html/dir-ca.html).
National Board Examination scores, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org. To request a printed copy of this program’s scores and rates, go to Health and Education 770 or by email at rosev@arc.losrios.edu or by telephone at (916) 484-8145.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2026
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-FSE Semester: | ||
| BIOL 304 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| FSE 300 | Introduction to Funeral Service | 2 |
| 1st Semester (Spring): | ||
| CHEM 130 | Chemistry for Funeral Service | 4 |
| FSE 310 | Funeral Directing I | 3 |
| FSE 320 | Funeral Service Law and Ethics | 3 |
| FSE 335 | Funeral Service Management | 3 |
| BUS 105 | Business Mathematics (3) | 31 |
| or MATH 300 | Introduction to Mathematical Ideas (3) | |
| Summer Semester (1st): | ||
| FSE 340 | Pathology for Funeral Service | 2 |
| 2nd Semester (Fall): | ||
| ANTH 310 | Cultural Anthropology | 32 |
| BIOL 130 | Microbiology for Funeral Service | 3 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing (3) | 33 |
| or ENGL C1000H | Academic Reading and Writing - Honors (3) | |
| FSE 312 | Funeral Directing II | 3 |
| FSE 330 | Merchandising in the Funeral Service Industry | 3 |
| ACCT 101 | Fundamentals of College Accounting | 3 |
| 3rd Semester (Spring): | ||
| BUS 340 | Business Law | 3 |
| FSE 350 | Restorative Art | 3.5 |
| FSE 360 | Embalming I | 4 |
| RLST 301 | Introduction to World Religions | 34 |
| ETHNS 300 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 35 |
| Summer Semester (2nd): | ||
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking (3) | 3 |
| or COMM 331 | Group Discussion (3) | |
| 4th Semester (Fall): | ||
| FSE 297 | Practicum in Funeral Service Education | 5 |
| FSE 365 | Embalming II | 2 |
| FSE 370 | Funeral Service Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 390 | Psychology of Death and Dying | 3 |
| Total Units: | 74.5 | |
1or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning.
2or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L4 Social and Behavioral Sciences.
3or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L1A English Composition.
4or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L3 Arts and Humanities.
5or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L6 Ethnic Studies.
The Funeral Service Education Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See ARC graduation requirements.
Enrollment Eligibility
To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:
- Graduation from an accredited high school (graduates from outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by an approved independent agency), or successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) Test or California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE).
- Completion of, or in process of completing FSE 300 and BIOL 304 with grades of "C" or better in the pre-FSE semester. Students who completed BIOL 102 prior to Fall 2025 can use the course to meet the pre-FSE requirement.
- Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0.
- A Curriculum Planning Summary Sheet completed by an ARC counselor and dated within the semester the enrollment packet is submitted.
- A completed enrollment application.
Enrollment Process
Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:
- Pre-enrollment applications to the program may be obtained from the Health and Education Division Office, the Coordinator of the Funeral Service Education program, or at https://arc.losrios.edu/academics/programs-and-majors/funeral-service-education. The Funeral Service Education program currently accepts students once per year for the Spring semester which begins in January. The deadline to submit the application is by the last Friday in November.
- Only students who meet the enrollment requirements and follow the enrollment procedures will be considered for the program.
- Selection is based on a random selection process among eligible applicants should the number of applicants exceed available space in the program.
- Students admitted to the Funeral Service Education program are required to have a physical examination, laboratory and licensing agencies inoculations, drug screen, and background check by the completion of the first semester of the program. Students are responsible for any costs incurred related to meeting the health requirements.
- If a minimum number of qualified applicants are not received, enrollment will be delayed until the following semester, at which time applicants will be required to reapply.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships 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.
Career Information
The student is eligible to take the National Board Exam and state board examination to become a licensed funeral director in California. The student also meets the criteria to take the state embalmer's examination. As an accredited mortuary college, our program goals and objectives are as follows: ·To prepare students to be members of a human services profession ·To prepare students to be members of the community in which they serve ·To be participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession ·To offer professional knowledge of and compliance with federal, state, provincial/territorial, and local regulatory guidelines ·To be sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety, and welfare in caring for human remains
Funeral Service Education (FSE) Courses
FSE 295 Independent Studies in Funeral Service Education
- Units:1 - 3
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
FSE 297 Practicum in Funeral Service Education
- Units:5
- Hours:18 hours LEC; 216 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:BUS 340, FSE 350, and FSE 360 with grades of "C" or better
- Corequisite:FSE 365 and 370
- Enrollment Limitation:Students must show proof they have completed all general education and competency requirements for graduation. Students must show proof that they have created a student exam portal with the National Board Exam (The Conference) and that they have paid the fees associated with these exams.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides an opportunity to apply instruction in funeral service education to real-world practice in the community. Students participate in an off-site lab experience program and approved off-campus preceptor sites. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 27-54 hours, which may include embalming, preparation, or documentation. In the first two weeks of the course, students will be required to show proof that they have created a student testing portal with the National Board Exam (The Conference), as well as paid for both their Arts and Sciences exams, which will be taken in the last two weeks of the course.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- correctly embalm a dead human body.
- arrange and direct funeral services.
- properly perform transfer of remains.
- prepare pertinent documents including death certificates, disposition permits, newspaper notices, and government benefits forms.
- demonstrate health and safety measures in the preparation room.
- identify and wear business attire relevant for the funeral home setting.
- demonstrate professionalism in a funeral home setting.
FSE 298 Work Experience in Funeral Services
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Before students can participate in the Work Experience program, Los Rios Community College District must have a signed Employer Agreement on file with the student’s employer. If the employer already has an active agreement with the district (viewable at losrios.edu/wexpemployeragreement), no further action is required. In addition, students must have a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job that aligns with their career goals and a cooperating worksite supervisor who will sign all required course documents. Dual enrollment students are not permitted to enroll in Work Experience courses. Students are advised to consult with the Funeral Services Department faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
- Advisory:ENGL C1000, ENGL C1000H, or ESLW 340
- General Education:Local GE L7B
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides students with opportunities to reflect on their current skills, knowledge and abilities and explore how these are work assets and how these can be enhanced and/or developed to increase employability within the funeral services field. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in associate degree level or certificate occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at an approved work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.
During the semester, the student is required to complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units.
Students new to Work Experience will be required to engage weekly while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. All students are required to attend the first course meeting.
Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times. Students are encouraged to develop new or expanded learning objectives in consultation with their employer when the course is repeated. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate mastery of specific job skills in the funeral services field related to an associate degree or certificate occupational program level career as written in the minimum three (3) learning objectives created by the student and their employer or work site supervisor at the start of the course.
- make effective decisions, use workforce information, and manage their personal career plans.
- behave professionally, ethically, and legally during work, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational norms.
- behave responsibly during work, exhibiting initiative and self-management in situations where it is needed.
- apply effective leadership styles during work, with consideration to group dynamics, team and individual decision making, and workforce diversity.
- communicate in oral, written, and other formats, as needed, in a variety of contexts during work.
- locate, organize, evaluate, and reference information during work.
- demonstrate originality and inventiveness during work by combining ideas or information in new ways, making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, and reshaping goals in ways that reveal new possibilities using critical and creative thinking skills such as logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.
FSE 299 Experimental Offering in Funeral Service Education
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This is the experimental courses description.
FSE 300 Introduction to Funeral Service
- Units:2
- Hours:36 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course is a survey of the history of the funeral service industry and a comprehensive overview of the field of funeral service. It emphasizes the role and skills of the funeral service practitioner. This course provides insight into the funeral service industry and the career opportunities available. Field trips or interviews may be required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- differentiate between historical funeral practices and contemporary funeral service.
- explain the development of the funeral service profession.
- describe inter-professional relationships and responsibilities in funeral service.
- evaluate the basic role of the funeral service practitioner in society.
- compose a list of various career opportunities related to funeral service.
FSE 310 Funeral Directing I
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:FSE 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Corequisite:CHEM 130 and FSE 320
- Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education Program.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course introduces the general practices of funeral directing. It focuses on the sociological phenomena that affect all the elements of funeral service including cultural differences, family structures, and factors of change that relate to funeralization. It also includes notification of death, transfer and disposition of bodies, arrangement conferences, pre-planned funerals, and post-arrangement follow-up. Field trips may be required. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 27-54 hours which may include embalming, preparation, or documentation.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe the application and purpose of sociology in funeral service.
- explain the role of the funeral director in adapting funeral services to a culturally diverse population.
- recognize the family governing systems found in American society.
- compare the different types of family structure.
- investigate the changing social factors that affect American funeral rites and the families that are being served.
- prioritize the responsibilities of the funeral director.
- calculate the time frames in which the services of a funeral director are typically provided (i.e. pre-need, at-need, and post-arrangement follow-up).
- demonstrate proper telephone courtesy and protocol.
- appraise and demonstrate the correct procedures and equipment needed for human body transportation in home, institutional, and field locations.
- apply communication skills necessary to meet with a family in the arrangement conference.
- collect the data necessary to complete a death certificate, disposition permit, social security forms, and veterans benefit forms.
- distinguish between pre-planned and pre-funded funerals.
- identify federal, state, and local regulations used for the disposition of human bodies and specific forms.
- integrate vocabulary associated with funeral service into day-to-day practices in the funeral home.
- determine and identify the primary responsibilities of the funeral practitioner, including regulatory and legislative compliance, and adherence to ethical standards.
FSE 312 Funeral Directing II
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:FSE 310 and 320 with grades of "C" or better
- Corequisite:BIOL 130 and FSE 330
- Enrollment Limitation:Student must be enrolled in the Funeral Service Education program to enroll in this course
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course introduces the basic philosophies of a cross-section of religious and ethnic funeral practices and the role of the funeral practitioner in directing each type. It also includes procedures for fraternal, military, and celebrity funerals. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 27-54 hours which may include embalming, preparation, or documentation.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- compare and contrast a cross-section of religious customs.
- identify characteristics of adaptive and humanistic ceremonies.
- distinguish characteristics of funeral preferences of different ethnic groups.
- arrange fraternal and military funeral services.
- describe procedures for celebrity funerals.
- apply vocabulary used in funeral service.
- set up and conduct various funeral services.
- compare and contrast the disposition options of human remains.
- classify and describe changing social factors which affect funeral rites and families that are served by funeral practitioners.
- identify how technology affects funeral service sociology.
FSE 320 Funeral Service Law and Ethics
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:CHEM 130 and FSE 310
- Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education Program.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course introduces law and the judicial system as they pertain to the funeral industry. Topics include sources of law, the legal status of a dead human body, the duty of burial, rights to control funeral arrangements and final disposition, liability for funeral expenses, torts involving the dead human body and the funeral director, wills, estates, probate, cemeteries, crematories, and state and federal laws and regulations. Personal and professional ethics that guide decisions and actions in the proper treatment of the dead are also included.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- distinguish among a tort, crime, and breach of contract pertaining to the funeral business.
- confirm the characteristics of a valid and enforceable funeral contract, negotiable instruments, bailment, and agency relationships.
- explain the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) regarding the sale of goods (i.e. caskets, outer burial containers).
- compare the basic forms of funeral business organizations.
- evaluate the legal relationships, rights, duties, and liabilities among the funeral director, the dead body, and the consumer.
- explain laws and regulations pertaining to funeral service.
- assess legal issues in funeral service in order to avoid liability.
- complete the documents that are required in the funeral service process.
- predict situations when professional services are required for death planning and estate administration.
- critique ethics relating to funeral service.
- explain the difference between legal and ethical issues within the funeral business.
- recommend a standard of ethical behavior with examples of personal and professional conduct.
- integrate vocabulary terms associated with ethical issues and practices in the funeral service industry.
FSE 330 Merchandising in the Funeral Service Industry
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:FSE 310 and 320 with grades of "C" or better
- Corequisite:BIOL 130 and FSE 312
- Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education Program.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course introduces merchandising as it applies to the funeral service profession. The curriculum is divided into two main sections. The first covers construction and features of caskets, outer burial containers, and other funeral-related products. The second section examines methods of pricing, display, presentation, and control of funeral merchandise. Field trips, in-person or virtual, may be required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- apply knowledge of merchandising to communicate with colleagues, sales representatives, and the public.
- describe the component parts of funeral merchandise, including materials used, styles, finishes, dimension, and functions of products.
- assess new products and potential innovations for their appropriateness for actual practice.
- compare and contrast historical pricing methods.
- calculate prices for professional service and merchandise.
- evaluate the services and merchandise provided by the funeral director.
- prepare to plan and present product information to the public.
- assess the various methods of merchandise display.
- identify the components of funeral merchandise.
- explain the concepts of pet disposition.
FSE 335 Funeral Service Management
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education Program.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course introduces the basic principles of management as they apply to the practice of the funeral profession. It explores the role and function of an effective manager, emphasizing the functions of planning, organizing, motivating, directing, and controlling. Specific areas of funeral service practice and managerial guidelines for those areas are covered. Topics also include management theory as it relates to funeral service practice. Field trips, in-person or virtual, may be required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- identify the goals and objectives of funeral service management.
- describe management functions as they relate to funeral service practice.
- recommend contemporary concepts of funeral service management as they relate to client families and community, staff members, and professional associates.
- differentiate the five areas of management and discuss the significant aspects of each.
- prepare a set of operational procedures specific to funeral service.
- create a set of procedures related to disaster management.
- analyze future trends in the funeral service business and in funeral service practice.
- define and discuss the role of funeral service businesses in the economy.
- assess the risks involved with operating a small funeral service business.
- identify ways in which odds for success in small funeral service businesses can be improved.
- evaluate human resource requirements for success in funeral service businesses.
- explain the factors involved in buying a funeral service business.
- explain how credit and collections programs are managed in funeral service businesses.
- assess methods of estimating capital needs and types of financing available for funeral service businesses.
- describe areas of risk management areas in funeral service and types of insurance.
- design a set of marketing tools for a funeral service business.
- use and assess funeral management and death certificate software.
FSE 340 Pathology for Funeral Service
- Units:2
- Hours:36 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:CHEM 130 with a grade of "C" or better
- Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course offers a study of pathological disease conditions and how they affect various parts of the body. It emphasizes particular conditions that relate to or affect the embalming or restorative art process.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- identify and prioritize pathological conditions that require special procedures in the transfer, handling, preparation, and disposition of dead human bodies.
- identify and prioritize etiological factors that require special procedures in the transfer, handling, preparation, and disposition of dead human bodies.
- describe diseases and related terminology and how they affect systems of the human body.
- choose the correct terminology when communicating with members of the medical community, allied professionals, and survivors.
- explain the benefits derived from postmortem examination, anatomical gifts, tissue transplantation, and medical research.
FSE 350 Restorative Art
- Units:3.5
- Hours:54 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:FSE 360
- Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course introduces the techniques of creating an acceptable physical appearance of the deceased for the benefit of the survivors. Topics include the study of facial features, cosmetics, and restorative treatment for a variety of situations faced by the practitioner.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe procedures to obtain written permission to perform any restorative procedure.
- relate specific types of restoration to the correct embalming procedure.
- name and locate the major bony structures of the skull and the major muscles of the face.
- explain how bone structures and muscles influence surface form and expression.
- compare and contrast the different forms of the head and face from direct and profile views.
- describe and explain facial proportions and relate them to the natural form of the facial features and facial restoration.
- identify and describe the various cosmetic, restorative treatments, materials, and equipment.
- select the correct colorants to achieve a natural appearance under various conditions.
- demonstrate basic hair styling.
- classify and explain the principles of color theory to natural appearance.
- classify and explain the principles of pigmentary mixtures, and relate the principles of pigmentary mixtures to cosmetic compounds.
- demonstrate cosmetic application on a model.
- identify and describe the natural and acquired facial markings on the face and neck.
- demonstrate wax or clay modeling of facial features.
FSE 360 Embalming I
- Units:4
- Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:CHEM 130 with a grade of "C" or better
- Corequisite:FSE 350
- Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course introduces the phenomenon of death in the human body. It includes the processes of preservation, restoration, and sanitation in treating the dead human body. Field trips may be required. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 27-54 hours which may include embalming, preparation, or documentation.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- explain the concepts of disinfection, temporary preservation, and restoration of the dead human body.
- relate how the handling, treatment, and disposition of the dead human body meets sociological, psychological, ethical, and regulatory requirements.
- differentiate between the various professional agencies and their responsibilities with respect to the dead human body.
- demonstrate and describe the use of embalming instruments, equipment, and supplies.
- describe the general principles and use of embalming chemicals and summarize their components.
- demonstrate and explain safe work practices concerning exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous chemicals.
- analyze anatomical considerations for injection point selection and describe how the vascular system is used to distribute embalming chemicals to the tissues of the body.
- identify body conditions that will affect the choice of various embalming techniques and the implementation of the proper procedures.
- complete all documentation associated with the care and preparation of the dead human body.
- integrate information from the studies of Microbiology, Pathology, Anatomy, Chemistry, and Restorative Art.
FSE 365 Embalming II
- Units:2
- Hours:36 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:FSE 350 and 360 with grades of "C" or better
- Corequisite:FSE 297 and 370
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course is a continuation of FSE 360. It is the study of vascular anatomy, case analysis, the selection and injection of embalming fluids, and treatment of specific conditions requiring special attention.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- compare the different embalming processes related to different causes of death.
- use funeral service terminology to communicate with members of the allied health professions and the public.
- describe the correct procedures for raising and incising vessels.
- identify and demonstrate with a suture kit, the various sutures used in closing incisions.
- analyze and document embalming techniques and procedures with written reports.
- compare embalming treatments cases involving infectious disease, trauma, and pathological conditions.
- relate embalming procedures to disaster situations.
- choose the proper chemicals for use in creating an embalming solution.
- describe the proper procedures for embalming an autopsied case.
FSE 370 Funeral Service Counseling
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:FSE 350 and 360 with grades of "C" or better
- Corequisite:FSE 297 and 365
- Enrollment Limitation:Student must be enrolled in the Funeral Service Education program to enroll in this course.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course examines communication skills and the role of the funeral director as facilitator, counselor, and caregiver. Topics include specific communication and counseling techniques as they are applied in funeral service practice as well as normal and abnormal grief reactions, children and death, crisis intervention counseling, and dealing with stress and burnout. Field trips, in-person or virtual, may be required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- recognize and demonstrate the application of general psychology to funeral service.
- describe the values and purposes of the funeral rite for the family and friends.
- recognize and explain all types of grief reactions and responses.
- describe the theories of grief.
- describe issues relating to children and death.
- explain how grief affects families.
- differentiate and explain the types and styles of counseling therapy.
- recognize and explain the major goals of counseling as well as the functions of the counselor.
- utilize and demonstrate basic counseling skills and techniques.
- recognize and explain pre-need, at-need, and post-funeral counseling opportunities.
- recognize, understand, and explain how loss and stress affect the funeral practitioner.
- develop and demonstrate strategies for self-care of the funeral practitioner.
- recognize when and demonstrate how to make referrals to appropriate community or professional resources.
Faculty
Spring 2027 FSE Program
Application
Online Application opening September 1, 2026.