Funeral Service
Associate Degree
64-66 credits | 2 years
Financial Aid-Eligible
Ashland*, New Richmond*, Rice Lake*, Superior*, and MATC**
*First-year coursework will be available at Northwood Tech through multiple delivery options, including On Site, Your Choice, or Online instruction
**Second-year coursework will be available at MATC through a high-flex delivery system, including face-to-face, virtual or recorded lectures. Students will be required to travel to MATC (West Allis Campus) for labs/tours.
Career Cluster: Human Services
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Funeral Service is a shared program with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Please see their college webpage for more details, including program and graduation requirements: Funeral Service | MATC. Degree will be conferred by MATC.
Program Overview
The funeral service coursework at MATC prepares you for a career as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in a profession that demands compassion, dedication and creativity. The rigorous curriculum trains students to become among the best funeral directors in the expanding death-care profession. Once enrolled in the program with MATC, students are immersed in all facets of the funeral profession. Students are provided a variety of unique learning opportunities through lectures, hands-on labs, field trips, seminars, guest speakers and internships. Facilities include classrooms, state-of-the-art embalming and restorative art labs, arrangement conference room, merchandise selection room and funeral chapel. Upon successful completion of the program at MATC, students will earn an associate degree and be eligible to take the National Board Exam for funeral directors (required for licensure). Coursework will include embalming, arranger training, grief studies, business management, religious funeral practices, and regulatory compliance.
Program Outcomes
MATC Funeral Services graduates 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 operation a funeral establishment
- Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in this program, with or without reasonable accommodations. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program. Please note that this document is only relevant while enrolled in general education and business coursework at Northwood Technical College. Please consult with the Funeral Services Program Director for the specific technical standards required during your enrollment at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
The demand for licensed funeral directors and embalmers continues to grow. Graduates of this program have a high likelihood of employment in a variety of locations and work settings.
Academics
First year coursework will be available at Northwood Tech through multiple delivery options, including On Site (Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake or Superior), Your Choice, or Online instruction.
Second year coursework will be available at MATC through a high-flex delivery system, including face to face, virtual or recorded lecture. Students will be required to travel to MATC (West Allis Campus) for labs/tours.
Apprenticeship Requirement
Enhance your training by enrolling in the Wisconsin Funeral Director’s Apprentice with MATC.
Hands-On Experience
During the second year of the program, you will have the opportunity to participate in lab-based courses offered in a flexible format.
Practical Experience
Gain practical experience while enrolled in this program. During the second year of the program, you will have the opportunity to complete field experiences.
Required Courses
First year coursework will be available at Northwood Tech through multiple delivery options, including On Site, Your Choice, or Online instruction.
Second year coursework will be available at MATC through a high-flex delivery system, including face-to-face, virtual or recorded lecture. Students will be required to travel to MATC (West Allis Campus) for labs/tours.
Featured Funeral Service Courses
Admissions and Tuition
Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech and MATC break down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost. For MATC tuition and fee information, please see their website: Tuition & Fees | MATC
Financial Aid
The Funeral Service degree is conferred through MATC. During your first year, you will work with the Northwood Tech Financial Aid Office to complete the appropriate financial aid consortium paperwork needed for a shared program. During your second year, you will work directly with the MATC Financial Aid Office.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Funeral Service
64-66 credits | 2 years
$5,062
The above estimate reflects the first-year tuition and fees at Northwood Tech. Please work with MATC for tuition and fees related to the second year of the program.
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies, or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech portion of the Funeral Service Program:
Upon completion of the first year, you will continue your education with MATC. As this is a shared program, the degree will be conferred through MATC.
For more information related to graduation, board, and employment rates, please refer to ABFSE - or the MATC Funeral Service webpage: Funeral Service |MATC
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Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
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Accreditation
The Funeral Service degree program at Milwaukee Area Technical College - West Allis Campus is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097; (816) 233-3747. ABFSE
This Funeral Service degree program is recognized by the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Examining Board.
Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information
The Funeral Service Associate Degree program conferred by MATC is designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin. MATC has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure requirements in states other than Wisconsin as documented on the MATC professional licensure webpage. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the MATC Program Dean for more detailed information. To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin, you may be required to obtain a social security number.
Northwood Tech's Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure webpage
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Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
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