Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  If I have already completed a bachelor’s degree, how long would it take me to complete a B.S. degree in your mortuary science program?
A:  Provided you have already completed the required prerequisite coursework, it is possible to complete the degree in one calendar year (September – August).

Q:  If I have already earned an associate’s degree in mortuary science, can I apply to your program with the goal of completing a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science?
A:  No.  Of the 120 semester credits that are needed to complete the typical baccalaureate degree, we require approximately 60 credits within major-theme coursework at the 3000 level.  The remaining 60 credits are typically distributed over a variety of liberal arts theme areas, such as social sciences, humanities, cultural diversity, etc.  Because the university does not accept credits from trade or technical schools, coursework earned from these institutions cannot be used to fulfill requirements of the major. 

People who have earned an associate’s degree in mortuary science, and wish to continue their education at a higher level are advised to pursue a baccalaureate degree in an area of relevant interest, such as psychology, sociology, biology, theology, business administration, etc.  If carefully planned, one can usually transfer from an associate degree program to a baccalaureate degree program, and finish the latter degree in two years.

When considering a program of mortuary science with the goal of continued academic study at the baccalaureate level or higher, prospective students are strongly advised to make sure the institution they choose to attend maintains regional accreditation from the appropriate accrediting agency.  For example, some colleges and universities will not offer transfer credit(s) for coursework taken at certain technical, vocation, or community colleges.  Always make sure the courses you take will be accepted for credit at the institution of intended transfer before registering for any class.  Always be sure to get confirmation of transferability of credits in writing from the receiving institution before you take a course at a different institution!

Q:  What should I do if I want to apply to your program, but have not completed the prerequisite coursework?
A: Many universities, four-year colleges, and community colleges offer courses that may be transferred into the program.  We strongly urge you to contact our program, (612) 624-6464, and speak with Ms. Kathy Nolan, Student Support Services Assistant, for counsel regarding prerequisite course planning issues.

Q:  How do I know if coursework that I have already taken would be accepted towards your admission and degree completion requirements?
A:  If you wish to fax us [(612) 626-4163 – Attn: Kathy Nolan] copies of your transcripts, our program will do an unofficial audit of your previous coursework for pre-admission advising purposes.  Official evaluations are done by the Office of Admissions once a student is accepted into a degree program.

Q:  If I have already completed a course required of the major (e.g. Business Law), do I have to take it a second time?
A:  No.  However, we will require you to submit a course waiver petition form, along with the course syllabus, for any class for which you may seek exemption.  Petitions are reviewed monthly by program faculty, and a decision is given before the start of the academic term.

Q:  Do you offer any of your courses “on-line,” or in a distance format?
A:  None of the courses within the major are offered in distance learning format.

Q:  How often do you admit a new class?
A:  At present, we admit 30 students each Fall Semester.  Formal admission is no longer offered Spring Semester or Summer Session.  For those persons who might want to explore coursework within the major, it is possible to register for a select number of open courses (e.g. funeral service law, funeral service psychology, history of funeral service, etc.) as a non-matriculated student.  Registration in these cases often occurs through the University’s College of Continuing Education.  However, prospective students MUST still apply and be accepted into the major by the program’s Admissions Committee in order to earn a degree in mortuary science.

Q:  I believe funeral service is the professional career I wish to pursue.  How can I be sure?
A:  We strongly urge prospective students to meet with a funeral director in their community to discuss their interests and career goals.  The Admissions Committee looks favorably towards applicants who have previous work experience in funeral service, and who can provide references from persons working in the field.

Funeral service is an incredibly rewarding career, but is also very demanding in terms of time commitments and work responsibilities.  We believe – and experience has shown – that anyone considering entering this profession would be well served by working in the field for several months before applying for admission.

Q:  What are the job opportunities for program graduates?
A:  The market for funeral directors at the present time is good.  Due to anticipated retirements over the next decade, the outlook appears positive for employment in funeral service.  People considering this career should remember, however, that with the exception of larger towns and metropolitan areas, most communities have only a small number of funeral establishments where employment opportunities might exist.  It is not uncommon for people to relocate – sometimes at considerable distance -  in order to find a job in funeral service that meets their professional career goals and lifestyle needs. Please visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook for more information.

Q:  How much money do funeral directors make?
A:  Many graduates report starting salaries as interns from $18,000 - $30,000.  Once licensed, the starting salary ranges are typically between $25,000 - $38,000.  Compensation packages vary depending on job location, responsibilities, etc.

Q:  Once I graduate, how long does it take to complete licensing requirements?
A:  This depends on where you wish to live and practice as a funeral director.  In Minnesota, prospective licensees must complete a one-year internship after school, prior to licensure.  Graduates of our program earn two months of internship credit towards Minnesota licensure, as the Board of Health recognizes the Clinical Rotation course to have the equivalent time value of two months.  Other states require periods of internship of up to two years.  Links to individual state licensing agencies can be found here.

Q:  Do all states have the same licensing requirements?
A:  No.  It is best to contact the regulatory board in the state where you wish to earn licensure for specific information about their licensing requirements before applying to a funeral service program.  This is the best way to insure that your academic program will satisfy the licensing requirements of the state in which you desire to practice as a funeral director.

For more information about funeral service, including professional organizations and relevant web links, please click here.