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 program includes skills needed for a career as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in a profession that demands compassion, dedication and creativity. Once accepted into the program, you are immersed in all facets of the funeral profession. Training takes place through lectures, hands-on labs, field trips, seminars, guest speakers and internships. Coursework includes embalming, arranger training, grief studies, business management, religious funeral practices, regulatory compliance and more. Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn an associate degree and be eligible to take the National Board Exam for funeral directors (required for licensure).
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
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.
Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*
Funeral Service
64-66 credits | 2 years
$4,950
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
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.
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.
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
