Bachelors In

Mortuary Science Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.
Table of Contents

Why We Love It

  • $52,990
    Potential Avg. Salary*
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes394031.htm for 39-4031 Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

While the licensing requirements vary from state to state, a bachelor of mortuary science degree should satisfy educational requirements for licensing in even the strictest states.

In a bachelor of mortuary science program, students learn how to manage, operate, and market funeral homes as funeral directors. Additionally, they learn how to embalm bodies and prepare them for display as morticians.

What is a Degree in Mortuary Science?

A bachelor of mortuary science is a career-focused and comprehensive degree that covers all aspects of the field of funeral services. Students study anatomy, pathology, and microbiology, enabling them to become effective and safe embalmers.

They study concepts of art and cosmetology, enabling them to successfully restore the looks of deceased individuals and prepare them for visitations. They also learn how to manage and operate funeral homes as funeral directors, overseeing all aspects of the business.

Students in a mortuary science program study a diverse set of topics, including grief counseling, mortuary law, biology and physiology, hazardous waste disposal, cosmetology and art, and management and leadership.

Graduates are prepared to take the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) examination to become licensed in their fields, and are well-prepared to find apprenticeships with experienced morticians and funeral service directors after graduation.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Mortuary Science?

  • Funeral Service Management
  • Embalming
  • Funeral Directing
  • Anatomy, Pathology and Microbiology
  • Restorative Art
  • Funeral Service Ceremonies
  • Funeral Service Counseling
  • Mortuary Law

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Mortuary Science?

One of the largest generations of our time—the Baby Boomers—are reaching the ages where lifespans become short. Because this generation was so large, it’s expected that individuals who provide end-of life and post-life care—hospice workers, nursing home workers, morticians, and funeral home directors—will see a significantly increased demand in the coming decades to support the needs of those with failing health, and to assist their family members with funeral preparations.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Mortuary Science will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Mortuary Science Degrees

With a bachelor of mortuary science, you’ll be prepared to more into a variety of careers in the funeral services industry. Graduates begin as apprentices but eventually earn the license and experience needed to work as embalmers, funeral directors, morticians, mortuary managers, undertakers, and/or grief counselors.

How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Mortuary Science degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

  • Which Colleges Match Your Needs
  • Ways You Could Save Time & Money
  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
  • Valuable Data and Insights on Each College
  • Detailed Steps You Should Take!

See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

Create My SmartPlan

Consider an Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science

Each state has different requirements for licensing individuals in the funeral services industry, but the majority of states only require individuals to have an associate’s degree.

Take time to research the requirements in your state of practice, and if only an associate’s degree is required, consider the benefits to your time and money of earning an associate’s degree instead. An associate’s degree could shave two years and tens of thousands of dollars off of your educational commitment.

You Might also be Interested in

Many visitors who look for a degree in Mortuary Science are also interested in the following degrees.

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